Lovebird Care Sheet
Lovebird Care Sheet
Lovebird Care Sheet
Lovebirds (Agapornis spp.) are generally inquisitive, social birds that are relatively easy to keep.
They are small vocal birds and can make fantastic pets. There are 8 species of lovebirds which
originate from Africa and one species from Madagascar. There are various colour mutations
available in captivity. They can be housed individually or in groups. If introducing a new bird to
the group it is important to slowly introduce them to avoid fighting and dominance issues. Even
with a very slow introduction it is important to remember that some birds simply won’t get along
and may need to be kept separately.
Diet: It is advised to provide a diet not too high in
protein as this can lead to kidney disease in some
cases. It is also best to avoid diets high in commercially
produced bird seed as they are often high in fat and
low in many of the major vitamins that lovebirds
require. Feeding a high seed diet can increase the risk
of obesity and other more serious problems such as
lipoma (lump) formation and cardiovascular disease.
Housing: We advise a good quality powder coated or stainless steel cage of an appropriate size.
Some painted cages can contain lead elements which can be toxic to your bird so please take
care when selecting your cage. Cages that have been galvanized with a zinc coating can also cause
problems so please select carefully.
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Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are generally recommended as these materials
are not porous making cleaning easier and more effective. Plastic bowls can
become porous after a while and can cause problems if bacteria build up in these areas.
Perches of various sizes are important for exercise of the toes and feet health. They also help to
promote the natural wear of their toe nails. Natural perches from native trees are ideal as they
generally vary in size anyway.
Common diseases:
One of the most common diseases that we see in lovebirds is an upset gastrointestinal tract.
Lovebirds will often present for regurgitation, vomiting or diarrhoea. If you see any of these
signs we recommend a consultation as there are many different causes and if left untreated
you may be putting your lovebirds life at risk.
Kidney disease can occur due to high protein diets. The disease requires medical attention and
can be quite serious. Clinical signs associated with this disease involve vomiting, lethargy and
watery droppings.
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Lovebirds are generally very curious and sometimes get themselves into trouble
with foreign objects. It is quite common for them to eat or chew on items that
they shouldn’t (jewelry, plastic toys, rope toys,
electrical cords etc.). If you are concerned that your
bird may have eaten or chewed on something that
they shouldn’t have, then please get in touch with us.
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