how to care lovebirds   lovebirds diet and care
Channel: Birds Lover English
Date: 03/03/2023

A lovebird might be one of the smaller parrot species available as a companion pet, but this bird is inquisitive and seemingly always on the go. As their name suggests, lovebirds are known for the loving, attentive bond they tend to form with their mates.
There are nine species of lovebirds, and all belong to the genus Agapornis, though only a few are typically available as pets; namely the peach-faced, masked and Fischer’s lovebirds. Lovebirds are so named because of their strong pair bonds. Lovebirds range in size from just over 5 inches to just over 6½ inches, which makes them among the smaller parrot species. Lovebirds have short, blunt tail feathers, unlike budgies (“parakeets”), which have long pointed tails, and lovebirds are also stockier.

Did you catch the fact that lovebirds are parrots? Yes, although they are small parrots, they are still parrots. They belong to the order Psittaciformes, which includes all the parrots. They have a hooked bill and zygodactyl feet (two toes point forward and two point backward).

Lovebird species can be divided into those with prominent white eye rings — the masked, or yellow-collared (A. personatus), the Fischer’s (A. fischeri), the black-cheeked (A. nigrigenis) and the Nyasa, or Lilian’s (A. lilianae) — and those without an eye ring — peach-faced, or rosy-faced (A. roseicollis), black-winged, or Abyssinian, (A. taranta), red-headed, or red-faced, (A. pullarius), Madagascar, or grey-headed, (A. canus) and the black-collared, or Swindern’s, (A. swindernianus) lovebird. Some lovebird species come in many color mutations, which are produced by selective breeding to bring out certain color traits.

In the wild, lovebirds live in small flocks and eat fruit, vegetables, grasses as well as seed. The Abyssinian, or black-winged lovebird, has a specialized diet that includes native figs, which is why they are so rare in captivity.

Native Region / Natural Habitat
Most lovebird species are native to the continent of Africa; the exception is the Madagascar (grey-headed) lovebird, which is native to the island of Madagascar.

Of the nine species of lovebirds, six are listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. However, three of the species have some endangerment concerns. The Fischer’s lovebird and Nyasa lovebird are both Near-Threatened, which is one step closer to Endangered than the six species. The black-cheeked lovebird is the most endangered in the wild of all the lovebirds. It is listed as Vulnerable, which is only one step away from Endangered.

Care & Feeding
Like most birds, lovebirds love to exercise and require the largest cage that your budget and space can afford. Lovebirds that are cooped up in a small cage and never given any freedom tend to become neurotic and can develop self-mutilating habits. Toys are a must for these active parrots. Keep in mind that lovebirds are strong chewers, so choose toys that can stand up to chewing without causing a hazard. With proper care and a well-balanced diet, a lovebird can live between 12 and 15 or more years.

Good nutrition is all about balance for lovebirds, just as it is for most birds. A balanced diet provides the essential classes of nutrients: water, protein, carbohydrates and fiber, lipids, minerals, and vitamins. A seed-only diet is a recipe for malnutrition, and malnutrition causes many nutrition-related ailments. The best lovebird feeding option is formulated diets that include the essential nutrients and don’t give a bird the choice to pick through and eat only the bits he likes. Variety is also important for birds, so supplement formulated diets with bird-safe vegetables, fruit, and even healthy table foods (minus any sauces or seasoning). Learn which foods to avoid, and always ask your veterinarian before offering a food to your lovebird if you have any concerns.