Lovebirds are colony birds that can share a cage, which VCA sets at 2 x 2 x 3 ft (60 x 60 x 90 cm) or more. They eat mostly pellets, with vegetables, a little fruit and some seed.
How many lovebirds?
Cage size
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Cage size
VCA’s small bird housing page gives lovebirds, cockatiels and parrotlets 2 x 2 x 3 ft. Merck’s table is smaller, 20 x 20 x 30 in (51 x 51 x 76 cm), and adds the bar spacing, 0.5 in (12.7 mm). On its bird owner page, Merck asks for a cage at least one and a half times the bird’s wingspan in all directions. VCA’s lovebird page gives the same 2 x 2 x 3 ft minimum. More on bird cage bar spacing.
Living in a group
RSPCA counts lovebirds among the birds that breed in colonies in the wild, the only kind it says can be kept in groups in a cage. Above two birds, it makes the cage 10% bigger for each extra lovebird, the figure for birds of 50 to 100 g. RSPCA Australia houses pet birds in pairs or groups of compatible birds so their need for social contact is met.
One lovebird or two?
VCA says a young, single lovebird bonds closely with its owner and can make an affectionate, interactive pet. A pair often bonds more strongly to each other than to their owners, even two of the same sex, and is then less interactive with the family, though most pairs live together well. VCA adds that lovebirds can be territorial and aggressive when frightened.
RSPCA counts lovebirds as colony birds, and RSPCA Australia houses pet birds in pairs or groups to meet their need for company.
RSPCA also gives pet birds at least six hours a day out of the cage, with space to fly freely and safely indoors.
Perches
RSPCA asks for plenty of natural wooden perches of different sizes and thicknesses, enough for all the birds in the cage to perch at once. RSPCA Australia avoids sandpaper, which may lead to footpad abrasions.
Everyday diet
VCA puts pellets at about 75–80% of a lovebird’s diet. The same page gives two figures for fruit, vegetables and greens: 20–40% in one line and 20–25% in another. Only the 20–25% adds up to a whole diet with 75–80% pellets.
RSPCA gives small parrots such as lovebirds some seed each day, up to a tenth of the diet, with free access to pellets, fresh vegetables and fruit. RSPCA Australia points out that sunflower seed is 49% fat. Avocado is highly poisonous to parrots (RSPCA), and VCA puts onion on the same never list.
What to get
On the list
What fits