Do Lovebirds Make Good Pets? [Is This Bird Right For You?]

There is a lot to consider when thinking about adding a pet to your family. While there are some animals people traditionally think of as pets, such as dogs or cats, there are also times that people are seeking something a little more unique. One animal you may have come across in your quest for a pet is a Lovebird. You have seen their cute size, beautiful feathers and think they might be right for you. Still, you wonder, do Lovebirds make good pets? Let’s look at these birds further to find out.  

So, do Lovebirds make good pets? Lovebirds are beautiful and playful pets. They are relatively inexpensive to keep and generally low maintenance. Lovebirds make a great pet for someone with limited outdoor space but room indoors, who wants a pet that needs daily personal interaction, and who can handle a pet that makes some noise.

It comes as no surprise that Lovebirds are a starter parrot for many growing bird lovers.

These birds truly enjoy interaction with their owner – which really adds to their appeal.

Nevertheless, looking at all of the traits of Lovebirds can help you decide if this is your perfect pet.

So, let’s now do that!

What Are Lovebirds Like As Pets?

As pets, Lovebirds are social and curious, with personalities as unique as their owners. Just as their name suggests, Lovebirds form strong bonds with the animals and people in their life. They are a pet that will be eager to spend consistent time with their owner and even another Lovebird companion. 

Let us now take a closer look at the important aspects to consider with ownership

Consider Their Social Needs

A Lovebird who is left alone to sit as an ornament in a cage will not be a happy Lovebird. 

Lovebirds are pets who want an active role in your day-to-day life.

And if they are not carefully handled and tamed, they can become territorial of their living space too.

In the wild, birds have to be protective of where they live so that predators do not harm their eggs or their young.

If you want a pet that will do best with regular handling, then a Lovebird’s personality could be a very rewarding aspect of ownership.

Pet Lovebirds can be happily kept on their own or with another Lovebird of the same gender. 

If a Lovebird is kept alone, you will be its sole source of friendship which is great for someone who is home to love and play with their Lovebird regularly. 

If you have two Lovebirds, they will often keep each other company but will still each need regular individual handling to stay both friendly and fun for you.

Consider Their Noise

Lovebirds should be considered to be somewhat noisy pets. 

Your Lovebird’s main form of communication is with its wide variety of chirps and calls. 

As you get to know your Lovebird you will be able to recognize the meanings of their calls.

They may make noise when they see you move in and out of a room, if something scares them, when the lighting in a room changes, or when they simply want to have fun. 

One of the most fun parts of owning any bird is getting to know their sounds and how they communicate their needs and wants. 

A Lovebird cannot be trained to stay silent; it just isn’t who they are!

The good news is that there are simple things you can do to help encourage your Lovebird to have regular quiet periods. 

These include covering the cage in the evening and making sure your bird gets enough daily attention.

Are Lovebirds Easy To Take Care Of?

Lovebirds are easy to take care of in that they don’t require walks outside on a leash like a dog, regular trips to a groomer, or the special heat and lights of many reptile pets. The biggest demands of a Lovebird are going to be keeping the cage area clean, trimming nails from time to time, and planning to spend one-on-one time with your bird daily.

If you are prepared to meet these needs, you will find that Lovebirds are relatively easy to keep healthy and happy.

The great thing about Lovebirds is that they don’t need a ton of extra space or any specialized form of exercise to stay healthy. 

A horse sounds like a great pet, but you must have pastures, exercise equipment, and training to begin to meet their basic needs. 

Even dogs that are cute and fluffy may require extra trips to professional groomers, long outdoor walks in every kind of weather, and other regular care that a Lovebird won’t require.

Dietary Considerations

The main portion of a Lovebird’s diet is made up of pelleted bird food. 

Many options for bird food are readily available at most pet stores and online. 

Being able to serve a mostly premade diet that is also affordable helps keep ease of care low. 

You will still want to supplement your bird’s diet with some treats and fresh foods, but you won’t need to purchase large quantities of hard-to-find items to have a healthy Lovebird.

Consistent Daily Routine

To keep your Lovebird easy to take care of, you will need to make a plan for helping your Lovebird have a positive daily routine. 

This part of Lovebird care takes prior planning, but if done consistently, it will help you give your Lovebird the best life possible.

When planning your Lovebird’s routine, you need to plan for them to get about equal parts light and dark each day. 

A Lovebird that is getting too much light may think it is the mating season which can increase Lovebird noise and attention needs. 

You also need to plan in time that you will dedicate to interacting directly with your Lovebird. 

When a Lovebird can rely on its owner to consistently give it proper attention, the Lovebird is less likely to display behaviors of anxiousness or loneliness. 

You may also want to plan on keeping the Lovebird’s space noticeably quiet at certain times of the day to allow for peaceful rest for your bird. 

Setting a schedule for your Lovebird can feel a bit daunting at first, but if you think ahead, you will soon find that their care needs fit neatly into your daily routine.

Who Are Lovebirds Best For?

Lovebirds are best for owners who are comfortable handling birds outside of their cage on a daily basis, who are capable of cleaning up droppings and loose feathers, and who enjoy a pet that makes noise both at routine times and in response to their environment. The best Lovebird owners can provide a safe, predator-free space for the bird to explore and live in. 

Lovebirds are great for owners who want to keep their pets inside and that are home frequently enough to give their bird near-daily interaction. 

A person looking for a pet that they can take to the park and show off may not find Lovebirds to be their ideal companion. 

An owner who wants a pet they can talk to comfortably at home, play with small toys, and watch explore every inch of available space would likely be a great match for a Lovebird. 

My experience with birds has led me to find comfort in their daily noise and great joy at their excitement to greet me every time I walk within view.

A home with a stable routine and a moderate to low level of noise would also be a great fit for a Lovebird. 

A Lovebird that is kept in too chaotic of an environment where people or other animals may regularly bump into their cage will feel nervous and insecure. 

This may lead to behaviors that their owners don’t appreciate, such as biting or excessive wing flapping. 

An extremely loud environment may encourage a Lovebird to be overly noisy in an attempt to make sure its calls are heard over the sounds around it.

Lovebirds are best with mature owners who can be delicate with their feathers and wings. 

While Lovebirds are fairly sturdy, a young child trying to meet all of a Lovebird’s needs could spell for disaster. 

Instead, a Lovebird’s ideal owner is an adult or an adult and child team that can care and play with them while being mindful not to be too rough and remembering to securely close cage doors when playtime ends.

What Do You Need For A Lovebird?

Lovebirds need an appropriate cage, nesting box, perches, toys, food, and water. Other things you may want for your bird are a cage cover and nail trimmers. One nice thing about Lovebirds as pets is that once you have their initial living space properly set up, they don’t need a ton of extra items or increasingly new gadgets. 

Appropriate Cage

The most important piece of equipment you will need for your Lovebird is a properly sized cage. 

Even though Lovebirds are not that big, the cage needs to have plenty of space for your bird to move and stretch without hitting its wings on any bars or toys. 

A cage that is at least 32” x 20” x 20” will be needed. The material of the cage should also be considered when purchasing a home for your bird. 

A cage made of non-toxic metal will be both durable and easy to clean with warm water. To make cleaning even easier, a cage with a removable bottom tray is a great idea. 

Simply use newspaper or other non-toxic material to line the tray and cage cleaning will be a breeze. 

Birds spend more time in their cages than many other pets, so a cage that is safe and large enough for exercise is extremely important.  

One other important note about your bird’s cage is to consider the vertical height. 

A wild bird lives high in the treetops and is able to survey the land around its nesting area for both predators and friends. 

A caged bird will enjoy the ability to get higher than most of the objects in a room to see the area surrounding its cage. 

The good news is that you don’t need to have a six-foot-tall cage to achieve height for your bird.

Many bird cage companies supply sturdy stands for their cages that can help raise the overall height of your cage. 

Not only will your bird thank you for the view, but the ability to stay far above any fellow pet predators in your home will keep your bird safe.

Cage Accessories

Lovebirds can eat a diet that consists largely of pelleted parrot food, alongside occasional fresh treats. 

By using bowls for food and water that attach to the side of your Lovebird’s cage, you can allow your Lovebird to eat higher up in its cage and keep food and water from having bird droppings frequently falling into them. 

I recommend using stainless steel bowls as they look nice and are very easy to clean, making them a long-lasting choice.

Robust Nesting Box

A solid nesting box that is robust – particularly on the sides and the bottom, is an important spot in your Lovebird’s cage. 

This is where your Lovebird can go when it wants privacy and where a female may go to safely lay her eggs. 

The nesting box can be checked for eggs periodically and any unwanted eggs discarded in the trash. 

Cage Cover

A cage cover can be used to help your Lovebird relax at night and know that it is time for quiet rest. 

While not a necessity as a Lovebird owner, they really are nice to have. 

Nail Clippers

Your Lovebird will occasionally need to have its nails trimmed. 

Some people choose to have a veterinarian or animal groomer trim their bird’s nails. 

If so, then no special equipment is needed. 

I have learned that trimming your bird’s nails is quite easy after some instruction and practice, and having a pair of standard nail clippers at home helps make this task quick and simple. 

Access To A Vet

No matter what pet you choose to add to your family, teaming up with a veterinarian that is well educated in your pet’s needs is vital to proper care. 

A knowledgeable vet can save you time and energy, help prevent your pet from experiencing illness, and be a great resource on how to manage or solve any problems that arise with your Lovebird. 

You won’t need to take your Lovebird to the vet as often as some other pets that require monthly medications to prevent things such as fleas and heartworms, but getting your bird in for a check-up at least once a year will help make caring for your bird easier in the long run.

The Verdict: Do Lovebirds Make Good Pets?

Lovebirds make great pets for someone who wants a vocal and outgoing pet that desires regular interaction with their handler. 

They form strong bonds with their caretaker and can thrive in housing spaces that would be too small for larger animals. 

Lovebirds need someone who will provide them with toys and mental stimulation while understanding their appreciation of routine.

If this sounds like you and your home, then a Lovebird could be your next great pet. Just consider the costs, of course.

Are you still researching for potential pets? My other guides may be of help:

• Do Cockatiels Make Good Pets?
• Do Chinchillas Make Good Pets?
• Do Degus Make Good Pets?