parrotlet and lovebird??

[delsolarie]

Hi all, very new here. I recently got a lovely slate peachface lovebird - he is 4 months old (sex unknown). Today, a friend gave me their pacific parrotlet (male) who is one year old. They were introduced and bonded instantly - they just sat there preening each other and playing on the playground. When I put them each in their own cage, Irwin (my lovebird) looked sooooooo sad. I put Benji (the parrotlet) in the cage with Irwin and they seem to really enjoy each other's company. In fact, I tried to take Benji out and he just did his best to hide behind Irwin. Is it ok to house them together? Will they become less tame if they are housed together? If anyone has any experiences or expertise on this please do let me know.

Thank you!

Rebecca.

[Monica]

Generally speaking it's not a good idea to house lovebirds with ANY other species since they are commonly known for being aggressive towards other birds. HOWEVER, if the two get along without squabbles, you can house them together on THEIR terms. If you'd like to keep them tame, especially the p-let, then you need to work with them daily.

Issues that MIGHT come up include when your lovebird becomes mature, which is around the age of a year old. What I'm saying is, is that although they get along now, they might not later. I can't not suggest letting them be housed together if it is their own decision, because I have a cherry head conure and a cockatiel who live together, and freely by their choice as well... However, knowing a lovebirds, and even a bit of p-lets possible aggression towards other birds, I feel that you should at least be warned too... Even though my conure and 1 tiel get along, I do not trust my conure around any of the 5 other tiels I have.

[delsolarie]

Thank you Monica. You answered even the questions I didn't ask but was wondering ( like what happens when Irwin isn't a baby anymore). I do work with them daily - as long as I have work to do, they're a very welcome distraction :) I think I will house them separately for the 'just in case' factor. They do get to play with each other daily anyways. They're great together so far but if they start fighting when I'm not around and one of them gets seriously hurt, I don't think I could forgive myself for that.
Thanks again for the advice,

Rebecca.

[Monica]

I'm glad to have been of some service! Lovebirds, especially the peachface, tend to be very aggressive birds, and very hyper. Parrotlets are similar but in a smaller body.... Parrotlets mainly need to be worked with daily too. So it's a good idea for now, and until maybe given a couple years, to see how they interact as they are.

If Irwin grows up, he could remain as sweet as he is now... or there is the chance that once he hits maturity that he could start to become even more nippier and aggressive than before, so again would need frequent handling.

[delsolarie]

Will Irwin become nippy towards me as well? Right now he doesn't nip at all. Does it make a difference with male/female? I don't know what Irwin is but I'm calling him a 'he' for now.

thanks :)

[Monica]

If you'd like to know what sex your lovebird is, you can get a DNA test which should only cost $20-$25 from AvianBiotech.com or you could speak with an avian vet about how much it'll cost or to see if one will give you a discount or test for free if you have the DNA test kit on hand (i.e. from Avian Biotech).

Females tend to be VERY moody and hormonal, but if tamed they can be sweet. Most birds though when they go through maturity tend to become nippy and maybe a bit unhandable... if you continually work with them then given time they will calm down... so yes, it can be towards you or even other birds. I can't say too much about the males though...

[bkmaurer]

I have been breeding lovebirds and parrotlets for the past 7 years, and I would never leave them in the same cage. While lovies are agressive, parrotlets take toes off. When they hit about 4 months old watch out. They fledge and mature more quickly than lovies. Even when a parrotlet has a mate, they are quite agressive. I walked in to check on my parrotlets the other day and the female had bit her man so hard that blood was dripping off the perch. They are little, but very mighty. Never underestimate them. I love them to death, but I respect their nature.