Just got 2 Baby Lovebirds - Should I only keep one?

[rtyworld]

Hello! A friend just gave me two 8 week old Masked Lovebirds. I bought the book, "A new owner's guide to Lovebirds" by Nikki Moustaki which has helped me understand them. I also have a Cockatiel so birds are not new to me, but I have never had a Lovebird before. All is going pretty well expect for one issue which is what I would like feedback on. It is that one of the birds is about 25% smaller then the other and the larger of the two tends to sometimes pick on the smaller one and also the larger is much more dominate in every respect, louder, more active, eats more, etc. The smaller seems in fine health but appears to try to keep more quiet maybe so not to attract attention to itself. There were 4 babies total in this clutch of which the other 2 went together to another home so I am not sure if the one I have was the smallest of the 4. Also, I will mention that I have ordered a much larger cage for them and hope that it might solve the problem. I know that Lovebirds tend to argue a bit but I still am wondering if maybe the best answer is to keep only one. If so, I have decided that the smaller one which I have named Kirby will stay. Kirby seems more inclined to be a good bird to handle as he is calmer and less frightful then the larger bird. Please give me any advice possible! Thank you!

[Adi]

You can keep both but I'd recommend housing them seperately.

Not only for the aggression issue, but if kept together, they will bond with eachother and you will have a lot of difficulty keeping them tame enough to be handled.

[Monica]

IMO, you should probably start out with one lovebird, Kirby, and later on decide if you would like another one (maybe another calm lovebird???). Kirby may be a few days younger than the other lovebird which would give reason to him being smaller. Make sure that he is eating enough food, and make sure he has plenty of fresh food as well to eat from in hopes that he does not need more handfeeding. One lovebird on it's own is quite a handfull and if they are chewers do end up chewing more than cockatiels! They need LOTS of toys to keep them preoccupied...

It is however in all your choice and in your case, and the birds, I hope you make the one that suits all of you! Good luck!

[Taylor]

If you do decide to keep them both you should put them in seperate cages. Good luck.

Kirby is such a cute name!

[itsElectrico4]

i request starting by keeping one to make sure you can give it enouph time and care. but make sure the other one goes to a good home:boogie:

[CrazyBirdLady]

Aggression and the "pecking order" is perfectly natural, especially with lovebird siblings. My advice would be it's fine to keep them together as long as the smaller one is not being harmed to the point of injury. I'd imagine they might very well have a spat and then snuggle up with each other for a nap. Work with them both to tame them. Individual time for each alone works best with a "pair". Since they are just settling into their new home, they are probably nervous and unsure of everything. Lots of toys and stuff to chew and explore with the beak can keep them thinking more of play than arguing with each other.
Keep an eye on the aggression and indeed, separate them if it gets too rough. Just my 2 cents.