A friend of mine has been thinking about welcoming a new parrot into his life recently, and one of the birds he’s been considering is a lovebird.
He’s owned more than a few parrots in his time, though this would be his first lovebird, so he’s been doing plenty of research.
While we were chatting, he asked me if I thought a lovebird would make a good pet.
Having owned my fair share of lovebirds throughout the years, this is what I told him.
So, do lovebirds make good pets?
Yes, lovebirds make great pets! They can be a bit more feisty than other species, and though small, can end up being more of a handful. They are friendly, affectionate, and enjoy cuddling. They can make good beginner pets, but they are a bit more work than other parrots.
So, the short answer is yes, lovebirds make great pets.
The longer answer is a bit more nuanced, with a fair share of caveats.
All parrots are very different from owning other pets, so you need to be sure that you are prepared for it before you do anything.
Let’s look further into this.
Are lovebirds good for beginners?
Yes, is the short answer.
They are okay for beginners, and while if they are a good fit they will make a great beginner pet, it’s important to note some caveats.
Firstly, when it comes to parrots in general, it’s important that you understand what you are getting into.
It’s very different from owning any other kind of pet.
They require a lot of stimulation, daily, and will need you to be around them for long periods of time.
For lovebirds in particular, they are good for beginners, though they certainly require a bit more work than other species.
They are highly social birds, and are very often kept in pairs.
If you aren’t able to keep a pair, then you’re going to need to spend a great deal of time around your lovebird.
Otherwise, it will get lonely.
Beyond that, it’s worth pointing out that they can be more aggressive, as I mentioned, than other species.
This means that, if something goes wrong, it can go a lot more wrong than with other parrots.
This can result in aggressive behavior.
Ultimately, as long as you’ve done your research and understand the needs of your lovebird, you should have no problem keeping it as a beginner.
Do lovebirds like to be handled?
Yes, they really do.
Lovebirds really enjoy being handled and they need physical affection as part of their daily routine.
They didn’t get their name for no reason!
Again, though, the most important question is about whether you have a single lovebird or a pair.
If you have a pair, then they will get a lot of the affection and socialization that they need from their partner.
That’s not to say they won’t want to interact with you at all.
However, they are selective about who they shower with affection. If they have a partner bird, they will have less love to give!
In general, though, lovebirds are highly affectionate animals that love being handled.
They will form a deep bond with you, if you take the time to work on it.
Are lovebirds noisy?
In short, yes. Lovebirds are very noisy.
Compared to other pets, all parrots are noisy to some degree.
Lovebirds are obviously a bit on the smaller side, so this makes their noise levels a bit lower than bigger parrots.
But they will still make more or less incessant noise.
Lovebirds are, again, highly social creatures, and they use noises to communicate with one another.
They will chirp, whistle, sing, and mimic other noises they hear.
They can make excessive noise, but this usually indicates they are unhappy with something in their environment.
Be sure to identify and address that problem.
But comparatively speaking, lovebirds aren’t as noisy as other parrots.
They don’t screech or scream so much, though they will do this.
Obviously, though, the noise levels will essentially double if you have a pair.
But it is almost always tolerable.
Prepare yourself for noise if you want to own a parrot.
There are no quiet parrots, just some that are quieter than others.
Are lovebirds messy?
Again, the short answer is yes.
All parrots are pretty messy, and lovebirds are no exception.
They poop a lot, and they can be destructive, ripping curtains and things like that.
They shouldn’t do this if you provide sufficient stimulation for them, though.
Cleaning will be a daily ritual and will take up a deal of your time.
Again, you need to prepare yourself for this before getting a lovebird.
There’s no avoiding their mess.
But they are not any messier than most species, really.
They will eat throughout the day and discard bits of food everywhere, but other, larger parrots are certainly a lot more troublesome.
So, there are a lot of factors to consider with owning any parrot.
Lovebirds, in particular, though they make excellent pets for the right person, can be a bit of work.
As I’ve stressed, parrot ownership is much different from any other kind of pets.
You need be absolutely sure you are prepared for what it entails before you go ahead and buy your lovebird.
As long as you’ve taken the time to do the research and prepare, a lovebird will make a great pet for years to come.
You can also read
- Are Lovebirds Smart? (Answered!)
- At What Temperature Should Lovebirds Be Kept?
- Can Lovebirds And Parakeets Live Together?
- Are Lovebirds Affectionate? (Answered!)
- Can Lovebirds Talk? (Find Out!)