Love Bird: Pros and Cons?

[Dusty73085]

Hello all, in my continuing quest to find a great first bird, I have journed into the world of the love bird. (after a good week researching Cockateils, which I thank christie99 for coming to me as an answerer to all questions cockatiel!! ) I just started researching love birds today, so I thought I would post this up and ask all of you current (and previous) love bird owners to fill me in on what I might expect if I were to be a love bird owner.

Please tell me anything you think a first time love bird owner should know: both good and bad. From how long I should spend each day with my love bird, to how noisy they are and even how messy they are!

Any and all information is greatly appreciated.

I am on my break right now at work, so I will get more into specific questions later today.

Thank you all! :D

O, and as an edit: I am interested in only one love bird, as I have already seen many times that they tend to bond with each other rather than you if you have 2. Which I saw in action, my previous employer had 2, and the wouldnt let anyone stick a hand into their cage!

[Astrid660]

Hello. I don't have a lovebird but some of these older threads might be informative for you to read:

New Bird, new questions!

How loud are lovebirds?

Got my new lovebird yesterday! And now i have questions!

[Dusty73085]

Awesome! Thank you very much. I tried searching love bird int the forums and got so many matches, I didn't know what to do.

[Flappuccino]

Lovies make WONDERFUL pets!

I have two. My first, was Jack. I handfed her from the age of 2 weeks. She's been single for nearly 3 years. She's VERY tame and sweet.

My second is actually Jack's older brother. He came to me about 2 months ago because his mate flew away, and he's the only unpaired lovie at my BIL's house and was a little lonely. He is just a doll, too, and he was raised around lovebirds.

I LOVE LOVIES!

[Dusty73085]

Originally Posted by Flappuccino

Lovies make WONDERFUL pets!

I have two. My first, was Jack. I handfed her from the age of 2 weeks. She's been single for nearly 3 years. She's VERY tame and sweet.

My second is actually Jack's older brother. He came to me about 2 months ago because his mate flew away, and he's the only unpaired lovie at my BIL's house and was a little lonely. He is just a doll, too, and he was raised around lovebirds.

I LOVE LOVIES!

lol! Well then, I guess you can tell me a number of good things about them?

How much time do you spend with them each day? (how many do you recommend?)

How loud to they actually get? I have seen a few videos on youtube, but they arent as ear splitting as I expected.

Are they pretty good at adjusting and being able to entertain themselves? (I have a full time job, so having a bird that can entertain themselves while I am at work is a good thing)

I see you have a green cheek also...(oops, I just reread your sig and see you have a yellow sided...so scratch green cheek, sorry!), how do they compare? And which would you recommend for a first timer? I guess you could also answer all of the above questions regarding the green cheeks if you dont mind as well...they were the next on my list for research. :)

Since you have both a male and female, do you notice any type of attitude difference, or noise difference...any type of difference? I have read that females are more territorial and louder?

If there is anything else you can let me know about them, I would loooove to hear it! :D

I might have a few questions later, I am kinda preoccupied with a hockey game right now. Go Ducks!

[Flappuccino]

As far as noise goes, my female (raised by me) never heard another lovebird for her first 2 1/2 yrs. She speaks only "Jack" More like talking than normal lovie vocalizations.
My male is much louder, as he was raised in a flock.
Now, you've got to realize- I have a caique, so any noise from a lovebird sounds like awhisper to me. lol

My gcc really is virtually silent. NEVER screams, never alarms, he says a few words that I can understand, but mostly just mumbles. He's awesome, and a bit more timid than my lovies. More of a "watcher". Still cuddly though.

Both species are great first birds, as well as cockatiels you mentioned before.

Female lovies do have a reputation for being more territorial. I believe that to be true overall- however, as my lovie was handled all day long from the age of 2 weeks, even when on eggs is incredibly sweet. I can't speak to the difference in noise level between sexes, as mine were raised in totally different atmospheres.

As long as they are provided lots of room, toys, foraging and fresh foods, a lovebird and a gcc can be fine with a working parront. Mine get to see me at lunchtime everyday, since I work so close.

I have to alternate time between my caique and my little birds. The smaller guys can be out and on me at the same time, but the caique has to be out alone or he'd kill my tiny birds. I would say a minimum of 1 1/2 hrs a day would be fine for flying, playtime and socialization, but ideally MUCH more.
If you had only one bird, this would be really easy for you. They like to ride around on you all day while you do chores, or work on the computer, or whatever. Just don't have them out while you're making dinner (too dangerous) or cleaning the bathroom (possible fumes and open toilet).

Let us know what you end up with!

[Dusty73085]

Originally Posted by Flappuccino

As far as noise goes, my female (raised by me) never heard another lovebird for her first 2 1/2 yrs. She speaks only "Jack" More like talking than normal lovie vocalizations.
My male is much louder, as he was raised in a flock.
Now, you've got to realize- I have a caique, so any noise from a lovebird sounds like awhisper to me. lol

My gcc really is virtually silent. NEVER screams, never alarms, he says a few words that I can understand, but mostly just mumbles. He's awesome, and a bit more timid than my lovies. More of a "watcher". Still cuddly though.

Both species are great first birds, as well as cockatiels you mentioned before.

Female lovies do have a reputation for being more territorial. I believe that to be true overall- however, as my lovie was handled all day long from the age of 2 weeks, even when on eggs is incredibly sweet. I can't speak to the difference in noise level between sexes, as mine were raised in totally different atmospheres.

As long as they are provided lots of room, toys, foraging and fresh foods, a lovebird and a gcc can be fine with a working parront. Mine get to see me at lunchtime everyday, since I work so close.

I have to alternate time between my caique and my little birds. The smaller guys can be out and on me at the same time, but the caique has to be out alone or he'd kill my tiny birds. I would say a minimum of 1 1/2 hrs a day would be fine for flying, playtime and socialization, but ideally MUCH more.
If you had only one bird, this would be really easy for you. They like to ride around on you all day while you do chores, or work on the computer, or whatever. Just don't have them out while you're making dinner (too dangerous) or cleaning the bathroom (possible fumes and open toilet).

Let us know what you end up with!

Thank you very much for the info! Its very super helpful.

I was getting really nervous/sad because everyone was making it sound like I couldnt have a happy bird and a full time job at the same time.

I would definitely have more than an hour and a half for my bird...at least 4 everyday, as I am usually home once I am done with work. Its pretty rare when I dont come home until pretty late, and Im home just about all day on weekends, except when I have errands to run.

What is your birds bed time? Do you know how many hours a night they need sleep? I learned that cockatiels need 9-12ish, and the generally go to bed when it gets dark.

Thank you so much again for the information!

O, and I almost forgot, I love your username/birds name!

[Flappuccino]

Thanks! Flapjack (Jack) came first, then Flappuccino (Chino), next came Flapdancer (but hubby didn't like it so he is also known as Nokomis). Gremaldo is my newest bird and I didn't name him.

My lovies go to bed last. Chino and Nokomis go to bed by 8 or 9:00, and the lovies between 9 and 10:00. Seems they have the most energy.
They really should have 10-12 hrs of dark, quiet time, and mine do go to bed earlier in winter.

4 hours a day of attention from you would be awesome! As I said, they like to be wherever you are. And birdifying whatever you DON"T want them to have, LOL.

Now- not every bird is perfectly tame, so you have to keep that in mind, too. It takes lots of work, time, energy, and patience.

Good luck! Maybe go to lovie, gcc, and cockatiel breeders and see which bird picks you. You'll know which one you were meant to belong to.

[Dusty73085]

Originally Posted by Flappuccino

Thanks! Flapjack (Jack) came first, then Flappuccino (Chino), next came Flapdancer (but hubby didn't like it so he is also known as Nokomis). Gremaldo is my newest bird and I didn't name him.

My lovies go to bed last. Chino and Nokomis go to bed by 8 or 9:00, and the lovies between 9 and 10:00. Seems they have the most energy.
They really should have 10-12 hrs of dark, quiet time, and mine do go to bed earlier in winter.

4 hours a day of attention from you would be awesome! As I said, they like to be wherever you are. And birdifying whatever you DON"T want them to have, LOL.

Now- not every bird is perfectly tame, so you have to keep that in mind, too. It takes lots of work, time, energy, and patience.

Good luck! Maybe go to lovie, gcc, and cockatiel breeders and see which bird picks you. You'll know which one you were meant to belong to.

All of your birds names are too cute!

Certainly I understand no birds are ever totally tame. Im guessing they are like bringing a small puppy with a beak into your home! The only thing I am not too excited about nor looking forward too is the biting. Those beaks just look painful.

I am in the process of looking for some local breeders (of any type!..they seem to be hard to find around here) so that I can go and check out these birds in person. There is a green cheek at our local petsmart, and he was a super cutie, but waaay to expensive...and two sun conures at another local store...again, too expensive.

I found some videos on youtube of some love birds, and boy can they make some noise! lol A green cheek might be a little quieter and closer to the noise level I was hoping for.

Anyway, if I can think of any other questions, I will be sure to ask!

Thank you again for all of your help!

[calicogirl]

I have a male Lovebird that is wonderful! He is sweet, affectionate, smart, stubborn, and adorable. He was handfed by a wonderful breeder, and not at all afraid of us even when we first got him.

He does have a loud "Chirp" that can ring my ears, but luckily he doesn't do it that often.

Lisa