How Long Do Lovebirds Live? [On Average In Captivity]

Lovebirds are small parrots with fun personalities and colorful plumes. When kept in captivity, these tiny birds are extremely playful and very loving with their humans. If you are considering purchasing one of these interesting birds, you’ll want to know what their average lifespan is.

So, how long do lovebirds live? Lovebirds live between 12-15 years on average, but it really depends on the care that you give them and if all of their needs are sufficiently met. It has been reported that lovebirds have lived for as little as 5 years in poor conditions, and up to 25 years in beneficial conditions. However, it is very rare and unlikely for your bird to reach this old age.

If you give your lovebird the proper amount of protection and care, then you will be doing everything that you can and is within your power to help them meet their life expectancy.

Let us now take a closer look at those other questions you may have. I am going to talk about the factors that influence their lifespan (the importance of diet and housing) and how to detect/what to do if they get sick.

This way you’ll have all the information you need to raise this bird.

So, without further ado, lets get started!

How Long Do Lovebirds Live As Pets?

The average age that a lovebird will reach in captivity is between 12–15 years. This is for birds that are well looked after and taken care of.

For birds that are neglected or whom are unfortunate to inherit or develop an early illness, they can live for as little as 5 years.

When you keep a bird as a pet, it is dependent entirely on you for everything that it needs.

Regardless of what the average life expectancy is supposed to be, the care that you give it will be the true determining factor for how long they will live.

You obviously want your pet lovebird to live as long as possible, so it is vital that you research everything there is to know about caring for them.

When lovebirds are taken care of properly, it is not unheard of to see them reach their 20^th birthday!

There have been a few rare cases where lovebirds have even lived up to the age of 25.

You would certainly need luck on your side, and your bird to have inherited impressive genes, to duplicate these results, but there are reports from owners that it is possible.

Also, this is far longer than their life expectancy in the wild where they have to contend with predators, droughts, lack of food, and inclement weather.

What Factors Influence The Lifespan Of A Lovebird?

As with any other pet, there are several factors that influence how long your bird will live.

For your bird to live to a ripe old age in captivity, the most important thing is that they are healthy and happy. The way to make this happen is mostly in part to the general care you give to them and the diet that they are on.

Air Quality

One of the most important aspects of keeping your bird healthy is the quality of the air that they are breathing.

Since they have such sensitive respiratory systems, their lungs struggle when they are exposed to toxins like smoke, scented candles, perfumes, and other similar pollutants.

Minimal Stress

For your lovebird to live his best life, a stress-free lifestyle is a must. Premature death can occur if your pet is constantly exposed to stressful situations such as rough handling or loud noises that spook him.

One way to lower the stress level of your bird is to have a pair to keep each other company.

Many people mistakenly believe that lovebirds must have a mate to survive, but this is a myth.

They do just fine with human companionship, but they need more attention than only a few minutes per day.

Cage

The size of their cage and the amount of exercise that they receive also plays a part in your bird’s lifespan.

They need to be able to stretch their wings and fly – something that is not possible in a tiny cage.

Even if you have the biggest cage you are able to find, your pet will still need time out of the cage to really exercise their wings.

To make this a safe experience for your feathered friend, take the time to lovebird-proof the room, including closing any curtains so they don’t accidentally fly into a window and injure themselves.

When putting out toys for their playtime, make sure that they are appropriate for lovebirds.

Diet

The other big factor that will influence the lifespan of your bird is their diet. Having the proper amount of nutrients is vital for keeping your lovebird healthy.

The key word when it comes to your pets’ diet is variety.

A premium seed mix like this from Amazon is a good start, but your bird should also have the opportunity to consume some of the following:

Freshly sprouted seeds (you can grow some of your own)
Fresh fruits such as pear, apple, berries, mango, banana, etc.
Fresh veggies such as carrots, peppers, broccoli, any type of leafy greens, zucchini, etc.
Unsalted cooked grains such as pasta and rice
Wild herbs, including cat grass (you can grow your own)
Hard – boiled egg (small amounts only)
A premium mineral block should be available at all times
Spray millet should be available all the time since this is a large portion of their diet in the wild

How Do You Care For Your Lovebird?

Taking care of your lovebird is relatively straightforward if you have the proper equipment.

Lovebirds are very social by nature and they crave companionship.

If you are unable to give your bird all of the one – on – one time that they need, it would be a good idea for you to purchase a second bird.

This way, when you are unable to spend time with them, the two birds will keep themselves occupied by cuddling, playing, and preening.

Since they will be spending the largest portion of their time in their cage, purchase the largest cage that you are able to afford.

You will want to choose a cage that is roomy, but that also has plenty of space for playing and climbing. Look for a cage that has horizontal bars instead of vertical ones. This makes it easier for your pet to climb around in the cage. This is a good example of a cage to get from Amazon.

When looking for the perfect spot to place your cage, make sure that it is out of direct sunlight, away from any drafts, and not too close to air—conditioner or heating vents.

You should also place the cage in a quiet area of the home. Lovebirds need to get at least 12 hours of sleep every night and they do not need the distraction caused by radios or televisions.

Consider purchasing a cage cover that you can drape over when bedtime rolls around. Not only does this help to block out light that may keep them awake, it also helps your birds to feel safe and secure.

Speaking of light, lovebirds need to be exposed to ultraviolet light daily in order to help prevent vitamin D3 and calcium deficiencies.

Additionally, lovebirds will become color blind if they do not have access to UV light. An easy way to meet this need for your pet is to purchase an avian lamp made specifically for this purpose.

Along with any toys that you choose to put in the cage, there are two other essential items.

A cuttlebone hanging on the side of the cage is vital for keeping your pet’s beak sharpened. It is also a rich source of calcium.

You will also want to cover at least one perch with a perch cover. Similar in texture to sandpaper, this is an excellent way to keep your lovebird’s nails trim and in shape.

What To Do If Your Lovebird Get Sick?

If your lovebird gets sick, there are times when you will be able to deal with the situation yourself. When it is beyond your abilities you will need to have the number of an avian veterinarian close at hand.

Like all birds, lovebirds are very adept at hiding any illness. This is a survival mechanism because the weak and the sick make easy targets for predators.

If your bird looks obviously ill, there is a good chance that the illness has progressed to the stage where they will need medical intervention.

If you watch your bird every day, you will begin to notice patterns that make up their normal behavior.

When these patterns change, there could be something wrong with your pet.

Interestingly enough, the majority of illness contracted by lovebirds are related to their diet. Listed below are some of the most common signs of things that you should being watching out for:

Discharge from the nostrils, eyes, or beak
Abnormal droppings
Abnormal or difficulty breathing
Swollen or dull eyes
Swelling or lumps on the body
Dropping wings, tail, or head
Sitting on the bottom of the cage
Bleeding
Vomiting
Hunched over posture
Excessive feather plucking or picking
Weight loss
Abnormal sleep patterns
Lack of appetite

If you notice any of the above signs, it is a good idea to consult with your vet to get their opinion and discuss some treatment options.

The most common diseases that you will need to worry about with your pet include obesity related illnesses, Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, chronic egg laying, parrot fever, pneumonia, and aspergillosis.

Your bird will have a better chance of recovery if any of these illnesses are caught early.

To decrease the risk of your bird getting sick, it is essential that they get plenty of rest, exercise, and varied nutrients.

Focusing on feeding your pet a healthy diet with plenty of variety. Ensure that they always have access to fresh, clean drinking water, and replace spoiled food immediately.

Finally

If you are looking for a pet bird, Lovebirds make an excellent option. While they may cost you between $400-$750 upfront, they are a rewarding pet to take care of. Unlike some birds, they have a lot of personality despite their relatively small size.

Some of the words often used to describe a lovebird is: active, curious, feisty, and playful; so you simply will not be getting a bird that is content to sit around in the cage all day.

So long as you take the best care of your bird, optimize their environment, and assuming that they were fortunate enough not to inherit any health conditions from birth, then you should expect up to 15 years of companionship with this bird.

Compared to other parrots, this is definitely one of the shortest lifespans, but they do live for a similar amount of time as the budgie if were also considering this other commonly kept bird.