Know 5 Important Things About Lovebirds

The word lovebirds could send a tingle down your heart for these small parrots from Africa and Madagascar have been so named because of their affectionate, strong, monogamous pair bonds that they form with their chosen pair. Scientifically known as Agapornis, the most common species available especially in USA is the charming peach-faced lovebird and the striking black masked, with numerous existing in areas like California, Arizona and Florida.

5 important things about lovebirds: 

 
1) Temperament: Lovebirds are one of the smallest of parrots that possess great intelligence and are playful and affectionate birds. They form strong bonds with their owners with proper care and adequate socialization; in case you cannot spend adequate time with them it is best to get them a suitable mate for socialization and interaction. Lovebirds show an intense urge for bonding and could also bond well with even their same sex. Lovebirds temperamentally believe in giving and receiving constant assurance and acknowledgement that is visible by their constant kissing and preening habits that turns into painful nips and bites in a serious manner. Lovebirds are fairly quiet companions and ideal to live in apartments and condominiums, though they could at times get loud with vocal outbursts during times of alarm and excitement and when they chat and talk with each other. Although they do not sing, but their chirps, squeals, and chortles, make music of their own.

2) Colors of lovebirds: Lovebirds have 9 sub-species namely the Peach-Faced, Red-Faced, Madagascar, Abyssinian, Nyasa, Swindern's, Masked, Black-Cheeked, and Fischer's; peach-faced is the most common. They are of various colors like gorgeous yellow, green, and blue with a brilliant splash of peach or apricot on their heads; you could also find other color mutations.  

3) Diet and nutrition: Generally lovebirds in the wild feed on grains, grass, seeds and berries; however in captivity it is best to serve lovebirds a nutritionally dense diet for optimum health. An only seed diet could shorten their life span. Proper nutrition means giving a base diet that could be a combination of cooked whole grain brown rice, legumes, barley, noodles, uncooked frozen mixed vegetables and granulated sea kemp with fresh vegetables added. Give lovebirds fruits especially apples that levels blood sugar and eliminates cholesterol; also include whole grains as cereals, toast, or crackers and Cheerios that visually attract lovebirds. 

4) Exercise: Being very active birds, lovebirds should be provided with adequate space to explore, fly and climb; most lovebirds love to chew and must be provided with lot of wood and toys to exercise their jaw muscles. 

5) Toys: You need to provide toys for a lovebird to chew; they are very essential to keep lovebirds active and mentally stimulated. They are very fond of playing and spend substantial time on it; you could save by buying toys from the kids’ toy section of a grocery store rather than a bird pet store. You need to be imaginative supplying toys to your lovebirds; keep a supply of toys in all shapes, colors and sizes and rotate them to sustain the lovebird’s interest.  

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