Lovebirds as Pets

Lovebirds as pets are known to be the most fascinating little parrots prevalent. They belong to many species, each having a specific color and behavioral differences in them. The lovebirds belonging to the genus Agapornis are the most commonly found species which are also known as the peach faced lovebirds. With these variations, there are many color mutations in the several species available in the pet world. Genetically they are small, compact parrots which are about 5 to 6 inches in length and have a life expectancy of 15 years and more. They are very active, playful and curious little birds who are also very social with their owners. They form very strong bonds with them and show some negative traits like aggressiveness and jealousy. They show territoriality when it comes to accepting other companions in the cage and it is well-known that females show this trait more than the males. If you want to keep lovebirds as pets, the hand-raised babies are the best choices. Read on to know all about having lovebirds as pets in the following paragraphs. More on kinds of birds.

Keeping Lovebirds as Pets

Lovebirds as pets are a great choice as they are friendly and cute. They can make a very affectionate bond with their owners and are great companions to have. There are certain rules and regulations which you need to follow if you're getting them as they surely need a lot of care. They are delicate birds and have to handled with care. Given below are certain tips on how to select them and take care of them if you get young ones, which is the best choice.

Selection
The first thing you need to make sure is to find hand-raised babies of lovebirds as they make the best pets. These hand-raised ones are used to human handling and training thus don't need taming. Make sure you get babies instead of older birds as its easier to tame them than the older ones. When you are buying them, make sure you select healthy birds and preferably choose one from each sex to make a pair. Get colorful ones as they look bright and beautiful to look at. More on budgies as pets.

Cages and Home
The next thing you should take care of is the cage you will put them in, since that will be your pet's permanent residence, you have to keep it pretty and clean. Select a cage size which has enough space for the amount of lovebirds you are purchasing. If you have a pair, go for a medium-sized one as that will give your pets enough room to survive in. But if you're going for more than a pair of birds, make sure you buy a bigger one accordingly. Your lovebirds will have to stretch, flap their wings, fly around a bit without hitting the sides of the cage and the toys so, keep all these things in mind when you buy a home for them. You will also need to keep some toys for them as they love to play, and a small space for food. Most cages come handy with these requirements. Keep the cages clean by washing them often and cleaning their feces after every two days to avoid infection and unhygienic situations. More on doves as pets.

Food and Diet
Taking care of their feeding habits is a very important part in lovebirds care. They love eating lots of seeds and nuts of various kinds. Since this is the ideal food for them, you can stack a whole lot of nuts in their cages for the entire day. Apart from this, fruits, vegetables and grains are their favorites and are also quite important for their health. Whatever you feed them, make sure it is fresh and not over kept for days as that can lead to certain infections and illnesses. They wouldn't mind eating some Italian with freshly cooked vegetables in pasta as well. To give them high protein foods and low fat foods is advised as lovebirds have no exercise. Try to keep fresh water in their cages everyday and keep it clean.

Training and Habits
As mentioned earlier, buying hand-raised babies are the best choices for lovebirds as pets. When they are used to human voices and touch, they respond in a more affectionate manner and are not scared of their owners. It is easy to train hand-raised lovebirds and sometimes they even understand what language you speak to them in. They are very social birds and thus they cannot be left alone. It is said that they should be bought in a pair, because if the owner is too busy to spend time with them, they get lonely. Thus, they need a companion to socialize with.

With so many tips to take care of lovebirds as pets, I am sure you'd want to buy a pair for yourself too. There is no harm in having them, provided you know your responsibilities as the owner and take proper care of these beautiful pets.