Female Lovebirds...Any hope as Pets?

[TooDusty]

I have a problem-I was given back a female lovebird that I bred, and I am totally falling in love with her. My problem is, I always tell people that females are not the ones to keep as pets because they get hormonal and really mean when they are of age to breed. From what I've seen, this has proven accurate.

So my question is: Has anyone had a known(dna tested or egg laying) female lovebird who has been a good pet past the first couple of years of age?

If yes, did you have problems with the bird at any certain age/stage of life?

Also, other than the obvious things-getting her lots of sleep, no tents/nest type things in the cage, no mirrors-is there any thing I can do to help her stay as sweet as she is(she's a doll!!)?

Thanks so much for your help everyone!

[Andie]

My lovie is a total sweetheart. She has been sitting on empty eggs on and off since May but she still comes to me to play and is not aggressive at all.

Maybe I am just lucky though...

[Lori~D]

You seem to understand the most of it - I can add.....avoid mushy foods, paper to shred, and no serious body petting (hard I know) when its near the summer breeding season. Keep her lighting to where she never goes into "long days" which can stimulate hormonal behavior. And NO BOYS!,lol

[becca623]

I had a female lovebird. She was never completely tame. I never forced the issue. She would land on my hand from time to time. I could get a flight suit on her. She had two male lovie roommates. I never had a problem with her being aggressive. She was one of the least aggressive birds I've had.

[Flappuccino]

I have both a female and a male. The male has only been here about a month, so he's just getting ready to come out of quarantine.

I've had the female since she was 2 weeks old. She is now almost 3 years old. She let's me cuddle, kiss, and preen her anytime. Even when on eggs.

[TooDusty]

Yay! I just might keep Luna then! I've learned about the body petting with my cockatoo. Whenever I pet anywhere below her shoulders she starts panting and leaning forward. Cool thanks everyone!

[LovelySydney]

I would keep her! I know a lot of people who have female lovebirds and yes, some are vicious but others are complete cuddle bugs and bonded with their parronts. I think it really depends on the individual bird as to how it turns out. I know they can be nesty - real nesty! - but that can be avoided with some changing around of the cage and just tweeking some day to day activities. I hope you get to keep her!

[TooDusty]

She is just the sweetest thing. At her old home, she was flighted and the fisrt couple of times she came out here, I had to catch her and put her in her new cage. She quickly became very afraid of hands, but I trimmed her wings and have been working with her and now she trusts me completely. She's soo snuggly and hangs out on my shoulder all the time. She's been on several car rides and might be coming to a bird show tomorrow. I've decided to keep her until I can find someone for her...not actively looking but when I stumble across someone perfect, I'll know.

[bkmaurer]

I have several lovebirds that were parent raised and I tamed them. Yes, they can be hormonal, but, if you respect their special time, and not allow any form of items or petting in the cage, you shouldn't have a problem. I don't breed, and respect their special time, and mine are fine. they perch, and hang out with me all the time. Good luck, and let us know if you decide to keep her.