You’ve just brought home your new lovebird and want to make sure that you care for it properly. After all, birds can live for up to 20 years, so you need to put in the time to give them the best life possible!
This step-by-step guide will teach you everything from setting up its cage correctly to giving it the attention it needs so that you can properly care for your little bundle of joy. The next time you go shopping at PETstock Australia, be sure to check out their wide selection of lovebird food and supplies!
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How to keep them happy
Lovebirds, a small parrot from South America, are becoming increasingly popular as pets in homes. They’re interesting and entertaining and require very little work from their owners. Most owners won’t even have to worry about a cage—lovebirds are content on their owner’s shoulder all day long!
However, there are some basic steps you can take to keep your lovebird healthy and happy, just like any other pet. We don’t know if they purr like cats or squeak like dogs; what we do know is that they make great pets. Here are five simple tips on how to keep your lovebird happy!
What do they eat?
Like their larger parrot cousins, lovebirds eat a nutritionally balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. When it comes to size, however, little birds need smaller portions—so make sure you cut your avian family’s food up into bite-sized pieces. And if your lovebird is on a seed-only diet be sure that he or she has fresh water available at all times.
For those birds who crave a taste of meat in their diet but are allergic to soy, there are plenty of other proteins and minerals you can add to their food bowl. Remember that a lovebird’s natural diet includes grubs and worms – so don’t forget about these tasty treats!
Take them outside
Since lovebirds are tropical birds, they do best in temperatures around 85–90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, don’t mistake that as an excuse to keep them outdoors permanently. For one thing, lovebirds shouldn’t be left outside alone (they should always have access to their mate). Also, in many areas, it can get extremely cold during the winter months and your lovebird could become sick if left out in freezing weather.
If you plan on keeping your pair outside during colder weather periods, you should get a heater or a dog house that keeps them warm. Having said all that—lovebirds do enjoy being outdoors from time to time.
What do you need?
Love birds are relatively small birds, so they don’t need much room to live in. However, their cages need a few key features, including food and water dishes. Love birds have long beaks, which means they can’t access an ordinary bowl and need a special type that hooks onto their cage. Bird owners also provide love birds with plenty of toys, as well as bathing opportunities (love birds enjoy soaking in water) and playtime outside their cage.
Love bird owners want nothing more than for their animals to feel happy and loved; when you find out how easy it is to meet your bird’s needs through routine care, you may even become infatuated yourself!
Playtime with your lovebird(s)
The first thing most people do when they get a new lovebird is bought a cage. If you want to give your little bundle of joy maximum exercise, though, put it in a playpen and let it run around. Keep other pets and children away from your birds (some birds may attack others), and give your bird plenty of toys like swings, ladders, and different-sized perches.
It’s important to have lots of hiding places for your bird(s). Lovebirds are very social creatures who like company; make sure that any other birds you house with them are from separate flocks so that they don’t start fighting.
Lovebird-proofing the home
Lovebird owners can look forward to a generally healthy flock. To lovebird-proof your home, it’s crucial to take safety precautions right away by investing in locks and covers (and possibly even a kennel) that will keep curious fingers out of harm’s way. Additionally, it’s best to keep bird toys, perches, and food/water dishes in low-traffic areas where they won’t be easily knocked down or spilled upon. Lovebirds are incredibly active birds and their playful nature means they should have plenty of room outside their cage for flapping about.
Laying out fresh food, water, and grit
Food, water, and grit are essential. You must always make sure that your lovebird is fed and has fresh food available at all times. For lovebirds with solid foods, fresh fruits and vegetables should be given daily in addition to a formulated diet of pellets or seed mixes. Water must also be provided at all times in a dish.
If you’re planning on taking your lovebird outside its cage, it will need grit as well. This fine sand-like substance aids their digestion by giving them an extra scratch during their meals. Remember that healthy birds poop little white balls; if you see brown or black feces coming out of your bird, it means that it could have eaten something toxic (such as chocolate) or is sick!
Breeding – what’s it like? And where can I learn more?
Lovebird breeders all say that becoming a breeder is one of the most rewarding experiences, and they don’t lie. There are times when you can feel frustrated, angry, exhausted, and ready to give up; but you shouldn’t. Each little phase your baby birds go through serves as a learning experience. The bond between you and your lovebird will be incredibly strong (if it isn’t already) by their first birthday, but trust me you’ll have a much easier time if you get them early enough.
Just remember – no matter how hard things get, never abandon your babies before they’re at least eight weeks old! I’ve heard horror stories about people getting rid of less than four-month-old birds because they were too difficult…don’t be one of those people.
Conclusion
These colorful, social little birds live for excitement and should be treated accordingly. Without regular human interaction, many lovebird species will not survive more than a year or two in captivity, so a large part of proper care means ensuring your little one has enough stimulation to be content. PETstock Australia provides lovebirds with everything they need to thrive! Whether you’re looking for quality toys, nutritious food, or comfy new home accessories.