Lovebirds, A good small bird??

[Stasia]

First off, Thanks to everyone for their kind thoughts regarding the passing of my parrotlet Pedro. They mean a lot to me.

After Pedro passed away we have been thinking about getting another parrotlet. I know this may seem kind of quick, but it is really all that makes me happy in this situation right now, to think that we'll have another little bird to make us smile and that we can make happy in return. In no way am I trying to replace Pedro, I'd give anything to have him back, but since we can't we would like to get another small bird sometime after Christmas (too soon right now).

What brings me to this post is a conversation I had with my vet this afternoon. She is very nice and she called to say she was sorry to hear about Pedro. She said she wanted me to know before making a decision about another p'let that she thought I should know that she sees a lot of them die very young. She said in fact she sees very few that live past the first 2 years. She said because they have not been being bred for that long (in comparison to some other breeds) and because they are just so tiny. I certainly don't mean to discourage p'let owners here, because I have heard of plenty healthy p'lets also. But I definitely don't want to get another bird to fall in love with that has a high chance of dying way before his time. She said that lovebirds are much hardier than parrotlets and have similar personalities. Has anyone owned both that could compare them for me?

I love the look of lovebirds and they are the size I would like to get. I have heard a lovebirds loud call, but of course I don't know if it was his loudest. How loud would you say they can get? I live in an apt. We ahve only one other bird, a cockatiel and these birds would not be caged together. Are they loving, cuddly birds? Are they ok kept alone in a cage? Are they playful and personable? I hear that if you get 2 they will not bond to the humans in the house, true? Thansk for any opinions/experience with these little ones.

Stasia

[Vankarhi]

In my opinion if you are looking into getting another small bird I would recommend another 'tiel or budgie or even a quacker (TIKI has sold me on them since meeting her Chaska) oops sorry Quaker - honest mistake when I came back and saw my spelling

My mum used to have love birds and she nick named them leg biters because they can be aggressive to other birds.. I believe they can make good pets if gotten young enough and handled all the time. But I would recommend the ones above as I know they can talk (not sure about quakers) and whistle and love to be patted if handled all the time and if you get them as a baby. Preferably get a handraised "whatever" that way it is already imprinted on humans and a lot of the hard work is done.

[Mr Five]

Well there are a lot of different opinions about bird. I have a few dealing with both Quakers and lovebirds. I have and do own both. I can say that the lovebirds do not have the beaks tha the Quakers have but then a Quaker will talk where a lovebird noramlly does not. Quakers are great birds but they can and do b3ecome one person birds. Lovebird just want attention from anyone that will give it to them. Lovebirds are best described as being a Jack Russle Terrier packaged in a little if not small bird body. They are a bundle of joy to own and will spend many hours of pleasure with you. The Quaker can be and as sometime very loud. Where a lovebird is not as loud.
I would suggest that you go to a local pet store/shop that might have both and sit with them. Interact with both. Going from a parrotlet to a larger bird can and often is a BIG jump. Lovebirds are about the same size but at completely different from parrotlet being that they want the attention.
But this is just me. I want them ALL
Wish you luck on your search

[Alika]

First of all, do NOT feel bad that you are already looking at getting another bird. When our rescue snake died, we were ready to get a baby within days, and we felt horrible about it. Don't let anyone tell you you're wrong... we're all ready at our own pace, you know?

Lovebirds are cute little things, but they can be a real pain to tame... literally! Their bites hurt quite a bit for being such a small bird, and they tend to be aggressive and territorial. While I do know some stand-up lovie owners who have made great pets out of their birds (many on this site!) I also know many lovies whose owners gave up on them, and they are now cagebound. I know of one sad little lovie who's mate died last year... his owner refuses to handle him, saying he is happier in his cage... and he plucks.

I've heard great things about them one they tame down, but you have to put a lot of effort into it.

You should consider the benefits of cockatiels first. They are easily tamed, very loveable (to everyone!), and have huge personalities. Pyrhuurha (I butchered that spelling, sorry) conures like green cheeks, painteds, and maroon-taileds, are supposed to be great small birds, too.

If you have your heart set on a lovie, definitely only get one... too many people make the mistake of thinking a lovebird needs a companion, when, in fact, it will make it harder to tame and more aggressive and likely to bond to the other bird than you. You should also try to get one handfed straight from a breeder to improve your odds of getting one that will be easier to tame, if not already tamed.

[Christine9]

I have two lovebirds and I just couldn't love them more. They are very playful. Only one of them is cuddly, but the other still loves to be with people and will let anyone hold him. They like each other, but they also love being with people. As far as being loud, I wouldn't consider them loud at all. To me, a conure is loud. In all, I highly recommend lovies; they make great pets.

[Stasia]

Christine-

I notice you have a plet and lovies. What would you say are the biggest differences between the two? Also, can I ask how old your plet is?

Stasia

[willowbirdy218]

I have a lovie, myself. I tamed him myself as he was not handfed. It took almost 4 months before he would sit on my hand. Now, he is a friendly, comical little bird; he will go to most people but does not allow scritching. I don't think he is very nippy at all, either. He is so playful and never sits still for too long. It is so fun to watch him hopping around his cage to play with every toy around him. I think he is a great little bird.

Oh...and I don't think he is very loud either...but maybe it is just because I'm used to it.

[Breelynne]

I must have the most unusual lovie, when I first brought him home of course he was afraid of me. It did take me a while to teach him not to be afraid of me trying to get him out of his cage or trying to teach him to step up.
I have had him for 4 months (as of today) and he has never once bit me he nibbles and does the lovie growl lol (cute) it is harmless. He sticks to me like glue, today I was folding laundry and he just hangs out on my shoulder. Another thing he does is he runs up to me and makes kissing noises.
No talking yet he does try to imitate noises I make.
He is also cuddly and will curl up under my chin and grind his beak and sleep.
Make a few trips to a store or to a local breeder to make your own desision.
Good luck!

[Christine9]

Originally Posted by Stasia

Christine-

I notice you have a plet and lovies. What would you say are the biggest differences between the two? Also, can I ask how old your plet is?

Stasia

My p'let is about 3 1/2 months old. He is such a sweetie. As far as differences are concerned, my p'let is much quieter than my lovies. Their personalities are very similar, but I would have to say that my lovies are more clingy. Papilo, my p'let, loves being with me, but is perfectly content to play on his playgym if he has to. My lovies, however, will only stay on the playgym for a little while before flying back to me. And I don't think it has anything to do with Papilo's age either, because one of my lovies is only a 4 months older than him. I just think he is better at entertaining himself. In all, they are pretty much the same, aside from the fact that Papilo is only half the size of my lovies. He is such a cute little bird.

It is hard to say which I would recommend first. I have heard so many stories of parrotlets being very nippy. Papilo isn't, but I also think I lucked out with him. I had been wanting one for a while, but I could never find one that would actually sit on my hand and not bite. But Papilo did, right from the start, in the pet store. He even let me rub his back and neck in the store.

But then again, I have heard stories about lovebirds being nippy as well, though neither of mine are. I think it has to do more with the individual bird and also on whether or not they are allowed to take charge from the beginning.

Hope any of this helps!

[Freedomoflight]

only 2? Really? I know people from another forum- Christine can vouch for this one- that their plets are three, 7 and a half, four years, etc.