Lovebirds are friendly, sociable parrots that thrive with other same-species birds. Unsurprisingly, playing and engaging with unpaired birds is essential to their health and happiness.
Bored, isolated parrots develop mental health and psychological problems. A lack of attention leaves lovebirds vulnerable to boredom, loneliness, depression, stress, destructive behaviors, and stereotypies.
A single lovebird needs several hours of daily exercise and interaction. This can include allowing it to fly and explore outside its cage, playing games together, watching TV, and teaching it tricks.
If you’re concerned that your pet will be unhappy when you’re not around, getting a second bird will keep it occupied. A pair of bonded lovebirds will meet each other’s social needs.
Attention Needed by Lovebirds
One challenge of having a pet lovebird (Agapornis) is their attention requirements.
The ideal companion is a second lovebird. Their deep devotion to each other is how they got their name. Bonded birds spend their time talking, preening, feeding, and playing together.
Getting a second lovebird will fulfill the existing bird’s social requirements. A pair will keep each other occupied during the day while you’re at work or otherwise engaged.
You can still play, pet, and talk to them. However, they won’t need as much one-on-one attention to be happy and contented, provided they have each other’s companionship.
A lovebird without a mate can become sad and depressed, causing mental health problems. You must spend sufficient time together if you only have one bird.
Lone Lovebirds vs. Pairs
Lovebirds are happiest when pair-bonded. They’re social birds that interact with members of their species, calling out to communicate and check on each other’s welfare.
When a lovebird’s bonded mate dies, it pines for them and shows profound sadness.
All species live in small flocks, which range in number. According to the University of Michigan, Fischer’s lovebirds live in flocks of 10-20 individual birds.
You can keep a lovebird alone but must devote time to its needs. Lonely lovebirds can develop stereotypies, like feather-destructive behavior (FDB), pacing, and head bobbing.
Lovebirds Bond with Their Owners
Lovebirds can form strong bonds with their owners. However, the bond with a human will never be the same as with another same-species bird.
Bonded lovebirds understand each other’s movements, mannerisms, and vocalizations. This means they can communicate in a way that a human and a parrot can’t.
While lovebirds enjoy human companionship, especially when hand-reared, they’ll always prefer the company of their species.
If you have a good relationship with a lovebird, getting a second bird means it’ll show less interest in you.
Entertaining Lovebirds
There are ways to interact with a lovebird, including:
- Flying.
- Hand-feeding.
- Talking together.
- Singing songs.
- Watching TV.
- Things to shred.
- Petting.
- Foraging opportunities.
- Climbing apparatus.
- Puzzle feeders.
- Shoulder perching.
- Chew toys.
- Hide-and-seek.
- Tricks.
Handling Lovebirds
Most lovebirds enjoy traveling on your shoulder while you walk around the house.
The more time you spend interacting and socializing with a lovebird, the tamer it’ll become. Don’t force the situation if it initially seems reluctant to use you as a perch.
One way to earn a lovebird’s trust is by feeding it from your hand. Put some treats on your palm and flatten the surface. It’ll perch on your wrist while eating.
Once it’s used to perching on you, you can train it to hop from one hand to another. Slowly increase the distance between your hands until it flies or hops from one to the other.
Petting Lovebirds
Petting is the human equivalent to lovebirds preening each other with their beaks.
Don’t pet a bird in the wrong places. Otherwise, you may inadvertently stimulate its mating response. You can safely pet a lovebird in the following areas:
- Cheeks.
- Head.
- Neck.
- Beak.
- Feet.
Never stroke a lovebird on its back, on or under its wings, or in the tail region because these areas are reserved for the mate.
Touching a lovebird in these places may cause it to become roused, resulting in elevated hormones. Females may lay unfertilized eggs, even without the presence of a male.
How Much Time To Spend with A Lovebird
Spend between 2 and 4 hours interacting one-on-one with a pet lovebird.
Give the lovebird 1-2 hours of one-on-one time after sunrise before you leave for work. You should be able to fit in another hour or two before sunset.
Many owners let their birds free-roam in a parrot-safe room.
How Long Lovebirds Can Be Left Alone
A pair or group of lovebirds won’t mind being left alone while you’re at work.
To stave off boredom, set the lovebirds up in a large cage. There should be room for them to fly around inside. Provide 4+ perches, climbing apparatus, foraging opportunities, and toys.
A single bird shouldn’t regularly be left alone for longer than a few hours because it’ll get lonely without interaction, causing stress and psychological problems.
Lovebirds shouldn’t be left alone for more than 12 hours. If you need to leave them alone longer, ask a friend to look after them. Ideally, choose someone it knows and trusts.
Lovebirds Don’t Die When Alone
Because lovebirds are social birds, being alone for an extended period can be stressful. Prolonged loneliness and stress can trigger depression and anxiety-related problems.
These mental health conditions can cause:
- Lethargy.
- Lack of curiosity or interest.
- Aggression and biting.
- Decreased appetite and weight loss.
- Stereotypical behaviors (e.g., pacing, toe-tapping, head swinging).
- Self-mutilation. According to Applied Animal Behavior Science, this could include feather picking.
If a lovebird shows these symptoms, it may be lonely. The rumor that lovebirds can die of loneliness or a broken heart is a myth, but it’s damaging for them to be alone for long.
Getting a second lovebird is the best way to resolve a parrot’s loneliness. If this isn’t possible, dedicate several hours to petting, talking, and interacting with them.
