Lovebirds
Lovebirds sciencific name is Agapornis. You might be wondering why I'm telling you this, I don't usually but it really does apply. When you break the word down agape is Greek for love and ornis is Greek for birds. The reason they earned this name is because they prefer to sit close together and preen each other. They bond very strongly; so strongly that the French call them les inseparables.
There are 9 different species of lovebirds: peachfaced, masked, Fischer's, Abyssinian, black-cheeked, Nyasa, red-faced, Madagascar and Swindern's. Peachfaced, masked and Fischer's lovebirds are popular and generally easy to find. The rest are quite a bit more rare to find. They can be harder to breed. However, Swindern's lovebird has never been kept in captivity successfully. These divide up into 2 groups: eye-rings and no eye-rings. However, the peachfaced lovebirds have so many color mutations that they really should have a group of their own but they would belong to the no eye-ring group.
There are 9 different species of lovebirds: peachfaced, masked, Fischer's, Abyssinian, black-cheeked, Nyasa, red-faced, Madagascar and Swindern's. Peachfaced, masked and Fischer's lovebirds are popular and generally easy to find. The rest are quite a bit more rare to find. They can be harder to breed. However, Swindern's lovebird has never been kept in captivity successfully. These divide up into 2 groups: eye-rings and no eye-rings. However, the peachfaced lovebirds have so many color mutations that they really should have a group of their own but they would belong to the no eye-ring group.
Origin: Africa
Family: Parrot
Life Span:10 to 15 years
Size: Up to 6 inches long
Family: Parrot
Life Span:10 to 15 years
Size: Up to 6 inches long
Lovebird Behavior
Often people are told to have two lovebirds instead of one. This is true if you don't plan on spending time with them; it's not like they will die if they don't have another lovebird around. These birds, despite their name, can be difficult to keep tame and may become dangerous to you or other birds. You should keep these birds either completely by themselves or in a breeding pair. These beautiful, little birds will create the strongest bond of all the parrots no matter if it's to you, another bird, a toy, or just something shiny. They will defend this bond at all costs and that is where it can get dangerous.
Since these birds have such a high potential to be aggressive, it will take a lot of time and possibly money to kept that aggression under control. First you must make sure the bird has plenty of toys so that when it is in its cage, it has a way to blow off some steam, instead of it building up to where it may come out as aggression. They should have toys that challenge them to keep their mind going but also toys that they can take anger out on. Make sure they have time to play on their own so that they build confidence, and not dependent on you or another bird. When you spend time with them, try to do training and use positive reinforcement. Instead of telling them no or getting angry, tell them to be good, as a reminder of how to behave. You may also want to try rearranging the cage and even the room. You may even try taking them somewhere else occasionally.
Since these birds have such a high potential to be aggressive, it will take a lot of time and possibly money to kept that aggression under control. First you must make sure the bird has plenty of toys so that when it is in its cage, it has a way to blow off some steam, instead of it building up to where it may come out as aggression. They should have toys that challenge them to keep their mind going but also toys that they can take anger out on. Make sure they have time to play on their own so that they build confidence, and not dependent on you or another bird. When you spend time with them, try to do training and use positive reinforcement. Instead of telling them no or getting angry, tell them to be good, as a reminder of how to behave. You may also want to try rearranging the cage and even the room. You may even try taking them somewhere else occasionally.
Lovebird Noise Level
They are also not known for speaking ability but it is not unheard of. Generally male birds are more likely to talk than the female but with the lovebirds, it is actually the opposite. They have a high pitched chirp but it is hardly ever considered offensive. They also don't use this chirp often unless neglected, abused, or unhappy for some other reason.