Lovebirds are intelligent and affectionate birds that are okay for beginners, but require a bit more work than other species. The lovebird is a small stocky parrot between 5.1-6.7 inches (13-17 cm) with a large bill and a tail that is either round or square. They are best kept as pairs, since they require so much attention and affection. These very active birds develop fierce loyalties to their keeper or their mate. With proper care, their average life span is between 10-12 years, with some living even longer.
In this comprehensive care guide, we've compiled everything you need to know about caring for a Lovebird, including cage setup, heating, lighting, feeding, enrichment, and all essential supplies. We've evaluated each product based on quality, safety, appropriateness for lovebirds, ease of use, and value. All products reviewed here include direct Amazon purchase links with our affiliate tag.
Quick Answer: Essential Lovebird Supplies
If you're in a hurry, here are the must-have items for a Lovebird:
- Cage: Minimum 32" x 20" x 20" Cage - Per pair, very active birds need space
- Perches: About Four Perches - Different sizes, promote foot health
- Food Dishes: Earthenware or Porcelain Dishes - Lovebirds chew plastic, can be lethal
- Bath Dish: Flat Earthenware Bath Dish - Most lovebirds love to bathe
- Nest Boxes: Nest Boxes - 8" x 8" x 8" or 10" x 6" x 6", placed up high
- Toys: Wooden Chew Toys - Seed bells, swings, ladders, mirrors, paper shredders
About Lovebirds
Size: 5.1-6.7 inches (13-17 cm)
Characteristics: Small stocky parrot with large bill and tail that is either round or square
Life Span: 10-12 years average, with some living even longer (oldest recorded: 17 years)
Characteristics
Lovebirds are intelligent and affectionate birds that are okay for beginners, but require a bit more work than other species. They are very active birds that love to fly and climb about, gnaw on wood or chew toys, and groom themselves all day.
These birds develop fierce loyalties to their keeper or their mate. They are best kept as pairs, since they require so much attention and affection. If you have a single lovebird, you must provide the necessary social interaction that it is missing from another bird.
Essential Supplies for Lovebirds
1. Cage
Lovebirds are very active birds, so a cage best suited to adequately house them must provide a lot of space. A minimum of 32" x 20" x 20" (81 x 50 x 50 cm) per pair of birds is recommended. Remember, they are extremely active birds and need adequate space to move around.
The cage should include about four perches, feed and water dishes, and an area for a bath. Place the cage on a stand or hang it from a wall bracket at eye level or at about 6' off of the floor. Be sure the spot you pick has good light and is well ventilated, though free from drafts.
The cage should be away from doors and windows where direct exposure to sunlight can make it overly warm, but placed close to at least one wall to enhance a feeling of security. The cage should be covered at night to prevent drafts and disturbances.
Key Features: Minimum 32" x 20" x 20" per pair, adequate space for active birds, good ventilation, secure placement, eye level positioning
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2. Perches
Include about four perches of different sizes and materials to promote foot health. Different perch sizes and materials help exercise your lovebird's feet and prevent foot problems. Natural wood perches, rope perches, and concrete perches all serve different purposes.
Place perches at different heights and positions within the cage to encourage movement and exercise. Ensure perches are securely placed and won't shift or collapse. Replace perches regularly as they become worn or soiled.
Lovebirds generally maintain their nails and beaks on their own through climbing and chewing. However, consult your vet about nail trimming if needed.
Key Features: About four perches, different sizes, various materials, secure placement, appropriate sizing
3. Food and Water Dishes
Their food and water dishes should be earthenware or porcelain as lovebirds will chew the plastic dishes and this can be lethal. The dishes should be easy to clean and appropriately sized for your lovebird.
Lovebirds drink a lot of water, so be sure to change their water dishes frequently through the day. Use separate dishes for food and water, and clean them daily to prevent bacterial growth.
Position dishes at appropriate heights within the cage, away from perches to prevent contamination. Ensure dishes are easily accessible to your lovebird but won't interfere with movement.
Key Features: Earthenware or porcelain (not plastic), easy to clean, appropriate sizing, secure attachment, separate food and water
View Food and Water Dishes on Amazon
4. Bath Dish
Most lovebirds love a bath either in a flat earthenware dish or by spraying them with a light mist of lukewarm water. If you use a bathing dish, you will see the birds perch on the edge and dip their heads and upper bodies in the water and beating their wings. They prefer this kind of bath to getting into the water.
The bath dish should be flat and shallow, made from earthenware or porcelain. It should be stable and won't tip over easily. Clean the bath dish regularly to maintain hygiene.
Key Features: Flat earthenware dish, shallow depth, stable placement, easy to clean, appropriate sizing
5. Nest Boxes
Lovebirds like special resting places. Nest boxes placed up high, all at the same level and all of the same type work well and help prevent fights. A nest box for a lovebird is 8" x 8" x 8" (20 x 20 x 20 cm) or 10" x 6" x 6" (25 x 15 x 15 cm).
Be sure to check for eggs and remove them at once to prevent overpopulation. Remember, there are already so many homeless animals out there!
Nest boxes should be made from safe, non-toxic materials and securely attached to the cage. They should be easy to clean and maintain.
Key Features: 8" x 8" x 8" or 10" x 6" x 6", placed up high, same level, same type, secure attachment
6. Enrichment Toys
These birds are very active, flying and climbing about, gnawing on wood or chew toys, and grooming themselves all day. They love toys of all kinds such as seed bells, swings, ladders, mirrors, shiny objects, and wooden gnaws.
They are natural paper shredders, so be sure to provide them with dye-free paper to play with. Rotate toys regularly to maintain interest and prevent boredom. Ensure all toys are safe and appropriate for your lovebird's size.
Foraging toys encourage natural behaviors and provide mental stimulation. Chewable toys help maintain beak health and provide entertainment.
Key Features: Seed bells, swings, ladders, mirrors, wooden chew toys, dye-free paper, variety of types
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7. Temperature Control
Average daytime temperatures can range from 60°F to 70°F with nighttime temperatures down to 40°F. As a rule of thumb, ambient temperature comfortable for you should be adequate for your bird.
Whether your bird is sick or healthy, be sure to watch for tell-tale signs of temperature-related discomfort: cold birds will often remain fluffed up for extended periods of time, and overheated birds will hold their wings away from their bodies and pant.
Monitor temperatures regularly with thermometers. Use heating or cooling systems as needed to maintain appropriate temperatures. Ensure the cage is positioned away from drafts, air conditioning vents, and heating sources.
Key Features: Temperature control, 60-70°F daytime, 40°F+ nighttime, avoid drafts, monitor regularly
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8. Lighting
Place the cage in a spot with good light and is well ventilated, though free from drafts. It should be away from doors and windows where direct exposure to sunlight can make it overly warm.
Provide adequate natural light or full-spectrum artificial lighting. Full-spectrum lighting helps birds synthesize vitamin D3 and maintain proper circadian rhythms. Avoid placing the cage in direct sunlight, which can cause overheating.
Key Features: Good light, well ventilated, avoid direct sunlight, full-spectrum lighting optional, natural patterns
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Product Comparison Table
| Product | Key Features | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bird Cage | Minimum 32" x 20" x 20" per pair, adequate space | Housing lovebirds, proper space for active birds | $$$$ |
| Food & Water Dishes | Earthenware or porcelain, not plastic, safe materials | Preventing plastic chewing, safe feeding | $$ |
| Bath Dish | Flat earthenware, shallow, stable | Bathing, hygiene, natural behavior | $ |
| Enrichment Toys | Wooden chew toys, seed bells, swings, ladders, mirrors | Mental stimulation, prevent boredom, natural behaviors | $$ |
Setting Up Your Lovebird's Environment
Step-by-Step Setup
1. Choose the Right Location: Place the cage on a stand or hang it from a wall bracket at eye level or at about 6' off of the floor. Be sure the spot you pick has good light and is well ventilated, though free from drafts. It should be away from doors and windows where direct exposure to sunlight can make it overly warm, but placed close to at least one wall to enhance a feeling of security.
2. Set Up the Cage: Assemble the cage according to manufacturer instructions. Ensure all closures are secure. The cage should be a minimum of 32" x 20" x 20" per pair of birds.
3. Install Perches: Place about four perches of different sizes and materials at different heights and positions within the cage. Ensure perches are securely placed and appropriately sized for your lovebird's feet.
4. Add Food and Water Dishes: Install earthenware or porcelain food and water dishes at appropriate heights within the cage. Use separate dishes for food and water, and ensure they are securely attached and easily accessible. Remember, lovebirds drink a lot of water, so change water frequently.
5. Add Bath Dish: Place a flat earthenware bath dish in the cage. Ensure it's stable and easy to clean. Most lovebirds love to bathe.
6. Install Nest Boxes: Place nest boxes up high, all at the same level and all of the same type. Use 8" x 8" x 8" or 10" x 6" x 6" nest boxes. Ensure they are securely attached.
7. Add Enrichment Toys: Place a variety of toys including seed bells, swings, ladders, mirrors, wooden chew toys, and dye-free paper. Rotate toys regularly to maintain interest.
8. Set Up Temperature Control: Monitor temperatures and ensure they remain between 60-70°F during the day and down to 40°F at night. Position the cage away from drafts and temperature extremes.
9. Cover at Night: The cage should be covered at night to prevent drafts and disturbances. This helps your lovebird get adequate rest.
Feeding Your Lovebird
Diet Requirements
In the wild, lovebirds feed on seeds, berries, fruits, grains, grasses, leaf buds, and agricultural crops of corn, maize and figs. A lovebird's diet will consist of 1 1/2 to 2 ounces (45-60 grams) of feed daily for a single bird.
Recommended Diet
A diet consisting of a small parrot mix along with a variety of supplements and vitamins is generally regarded as suitable; also a formulated diet along with greens, fruits, and vegetable supplements but without additional vitamins is also regarded as suitable, and is a more current trend.
Supplements include fresh vegetables, greens, and tree branches for the bark, some fruits, and millet spray. Some of the fruit supplements include berries, apples, grapes, pears, bananas, and kiwi. Some of the greens and vegetable supplements include spinach, endive, watercress, chickweed, radish, parsley, dandelions, carrot tops, and corn on the cob, peas, endive, field lettuce, and various garden herbs.
Additional proteins can be offered such as nuts, try some unshelled peanuts as well as hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, and chestnuts. A cuttlebone, or gravel and oyster shell in a separate dish should be offered to provide calcium.
Foods to Avoid
Do not feed avocado, as it can be toxic to birds! Also avoid any foods that are high in salt, sugar, or fat, as these can cause health problems.
Feeding Tips
Offer a variety of foods to ensure balanced nutrition. Remove uneaten fresh foods after a few hours to prevent spoilage. Clean food dishes daily to maintain hygiene. Monitor your lovebird's food intake and adjust portions as needed.
Social Interaction and Behavior
Social Needs
Lovebirds are very social birds. Generally, it is thought that it is essential for their good health and happiness that they are kept in pairs, not single. If you have a single lovebird, you must provide the necessary social interaction that it is missing from another bird.
These birds develop fierce loyalties to their keeper or their mate. Bonded pairs constantly groom each other and will feed each other from the crop during breeding season and all year round.
Aggression
Aside from their social nature toward you or their mate, they can be extremely aggressive towards other birds. You must be certain that all pairs get along together, and that they are true "pairs": not mismatched. Do not mix species of lovebirds as they will fight.
Vocalization
These little birds will chatter all day long. They awaken with the dawn, get a drink, eat, and then immediately begin to chirp. They will generally quiet down by mid-morning and resume their chirping in the late afternoon.
Hiding Behavior
They will hide in their nest box if they are startled by a sudden noise, if they spot a potential predator, or if it gets cold and windy.
Handling and Training
Taming
To have a tame lovebird, choose a young single bird. Young birds have an amazing ability to learn tricks and be affectionate, whereas adults are very difficult to tame and generally won't learn a lot of tricks or imitate behaviors. Hand-raised youngsters are easiest as they are already quite socialized and tame, but are not always available.
Training Process
Taming involves acceptance and trust between you and your bird. It means spending a lot of time with your bird daily. Start with talking softly and making slow movements. Once your bird is comfortable with you, then you can begin hand taming.
Use a dowel and push it gently against the bird's chest while offering a treat to coax it up onto the dowel. This may take many tries. Once it is comfortable with stepping up onto a dowel, substitute your finger for the dowel.
Talking Ability
Lovebirds are not considered one of the best talkers, and only some may learn a few words.
Activities and Playtime
Daily Activities
These birds are very active, flying and climbing about, gnawing on wood or chew toys, and grooming themselves all day. They love toys of all kinds such as seed bells, swings, ladders, mirrors, shiny objects, and wooden gnaws.
Paper Shredding
They are natural paper shredders, so be sure to provide them with dye-free paper to play with. This provides mental stimulation and natural behavior.
Out-of-Cage Time
A lovebird outside of its cage will not stay on its playpen since they like to explore. Be sure that any room that your lovebird is playing in is free from open doors or windows, water containers such as drinking glasses and toilets/sinks and that they are never near a hot stove. You should always monitor your bird when it is out of its cage!
Maintenance and Care
Daily Care
The basic cage care includes daily cleaning/changing of the food and water dishes. Plain newspaper can be used to line the bottom of the cage and should be changed daily to prevent diseases and illness.
Weekly Care
Weekly you should clean and disinfect the cage with warm soapy water or an avian cage disinfectant. Wash and completely dry the perches and toys whenever they become soiled.
Nail and Beak Maintenance
Lovebirds generally maintain their nails and beaks on their own through climbing and chewing. However, consult your vet about nail trimming if needed.
Common Health Issues
With proper care, lovebirds can live 10-12 years on average, with some living even longer. Signs of illness to be aware of are if a bird seems withdrawn, feathers are ruffled and the plumage is dull, sits with its eyes closed for long periods of time, eyes are watery or dull, runny nose, sleeps a lot, loses interest in its environment and stays at its feed dish.
The droppings may change color and be loose (if healthy they are grayish white and not too thin). Also a lot of tail bobbing, dropping off its perch, odd breathing, sneezing, and excessive scratching.
Some of the common illnesses your lovebirds could contract are:
- Injuries from Fighting: Caused by mismatched pairs or mixing species. Prevent by ensuring pairs get along and not mixing species.
- Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease: A viral disease that affects feathers and beaks. Consult your veterinarian for prevention and treatment.
- Polyoma Virus Infection: A viral disease that can be fatal. Consult your veterinarian for prevention and treatment.
- Yeast Infections (Candidiasis): Caused by poor hygiene or improper diet. Prevent by maintaining clean environment and proper diet.
- Avian Pox Virus Infection: A viral disease. Consult your veterinarian for prevention and treatment.
- Bacterial Infections: Caused by poor hygiene or contaminated food/water. Prevent by maintaining clean environment and fresh food/water.
- Internal Parasites: Caused by contaminated food or environment. Prevent by maintaining clean environment and proper hygiene.
- Mites and Ticks: External parasites. Consult your veterinarian for prevention and treatment.
- Egg Binding: A condition where a female cannot lay an egg. Consult your veterinarian immediately if suspected.
- Respiratory Ailments: Caused by drafts, poor ventilation, or exposure to toxins. Prevent by maintaining proper environment and avoiding exposure to harmful substances.
An ailing bird should be taken to an avian veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment immediately!
Final Verdict
Lovebirds are intelligent and affectionate birds that are okay for beginners, but require a bit more work than other species. With a minimum 32" x 20" x 20" cage per pair, proper perches, earthenware or porcelain food and water dishes, a bath dish, nest boxes, enrichment toys, and a balanced diet, your lovebird can thrive and live a long, healthy life of 10-12 years or more.
Remember that lovebirds are very active birds that require a lot of space and enrichment. They are best kept as pairs, since they require so much attention and affection. If you have a single lovebird, you must provide the necessary social interaction that it is missing from another bird.
Quality equipment is an investment in your lovebird's long-term health and happiness. Choose products that are safe, appropriate for lovebirds, and designed to last. Never use plastic dishes, as lovebirds will chew them and this can be lethal.
Use this care guide as a reference when setting up and maintaining your lovebird's environment, and don't hesitate to consult with avian experts or veterinarians if you have questions about your lovebird's specific needs.