4 Ways to Choose Lovebirds (2024)

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Co-authored byRyan Corrigan, LVT, VTS-EVN

Last Updated: December 19, 2021Approved

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   Select a peach-faced lovebird. Peach-faced lovebirds are the most commonly kept birds out of the three species. Standing at five inches (12.7 cm) tall, peach-faced lovebirds are the largest. They typically have a green body with a soft pink to bright red face and bib. Their tail feathers are usually blue and their beaks are tan in color.^[1]

   • Since peach-faced lovebirds are the least aggressive, this species may be a better choice if you have children.
   • Peach-faced lovebirds typically cost $80 to $200 for one bird, with a setup cost ranging from $300 to $500.
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   Try a Fischer’s lovebird. Fischer’s lovebirds are smaller than peach-faced lovebirds. They also have a distinct high-pitched chirp. They tend to be more aggressive than peach-faced and masked lovebirds. However, if they are well-socialized, they can be calm and easygoing.^[2]

   • They typically have a green body with a deep orange face (forehead, cheeks, and throat). They also have distinct white rings around their eyes. Their tail feathers are green and their beaks are red.
   • Fischer's lovebirds typically cost $50 to $125 for one bird, with a setup cost ranging from $300 to $500.
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   See Also

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   Choose a masked lovebird. Masked lovebirds are smaller than peach-faced lovebirds as well. Like Fischer’s lovebirds, they tend to be more aggressive than peach-faced lovebirds. Both masked and Fischer’s lovebirds take more time to become tame when they’re young and generally require more work and training to stay tame as they get older. However, this behavior can get better if they are socialized well.^[3]

   • Like Fisher’s lovebirds, masked lovebirds have white rings around their eyes. They typically have a green body with a black head. Their collar, throat, and chest are generally yellow. Their tail feathers are green, but can be blue in different variations. They have red beaks as well.
   • Masked lovebirds typically cost $80 to $150 for one bird, with a setup cost ranging from $300 to $500.

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   Choose a male lovebird. Regardless of the species, male lovebirds tend to be more easygoing than female lovebirds. Female lovebirds tend to be more territorial and aggressive. However, both male and female lovebirds are active, playful, and adventurous if they are socialized well.^[4]

   • Because pet owners tend to choose male lovebirds over female lovebirds, they are a bit more expensive, about $20 to $50 more.
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   Purchase one lovebird. Choose only one bird if you want it to bond with you instead of another bird. However, because you are the bird’s flock, having only one lovebird requires more time and attention. If you do not have the time to interact with your lovebird because of work or social obligations, then choose a pair of lovebirds.^[5]

   • If you do chose to have one bird, be prepared to let the bird spend time with you out of the cage and generally interact a lot with you. Failing to do so can make your lovebird act aggressively, harm you or themselves, become depressed, and/or become sick.
   • Additionally, if you choose to have only one bird, keep in mind that you cannot introduce another bird later on. At this point, these birds are used to being the only one and may kill the new bird.
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   Purchase a pair of lovebirds. If you have two lovebirds, they are more likely to bond with each other than with you. Choose a pair if you do not have the time to bond with one bird. You can either choose a pair of different-sex birds, or a pair of same-sex birds. Their bond will be strong regardless of sex composition.

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   Introduce your lovebird to another species slowly. If you are going to try to pair your lovebird with another species of bird, then do so slowly. Lovebirds may or may not get along with other species and they often attack birds that are put in the cage with them. First keep the birds in separate cages and let them interact between the bars. This will show you whether or not they will get along.

   • If they don’t get along, you may need to find a different home for the bird that’s not a lovebird.

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   Go for a young bird. Young birds are much easier to train than older birds. Choose a bird that is between six and eight weeks old. Ask the breeder how old the bird is before purchasing it.

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   Choose a hand-fed bird. Hand-fed or hand-raised means that a human fed the baby instead of its parents. These birds are more trusting of humans than birds that were raised by their parents or a colony. They are also less noisy. Essentially, this means that you will have a much easier time bonding with and training your bird. If you want to bond with your lovebird, then a hand-fed bird is the better choice.

   • To see if the bird was hand-raised, hold out your finger or hand for the bird to stand on. If the bird is confident enough to step on your finger, then it has been hand-raised properly. If the bird shies away in fear, then it has not been hand-raised properly.
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   Select lovebirds that are alert and lively. Lovebirds that are alert and lively mean that they have been taken care of and raised properly. Be wary of birds that sit huddled on the floor or in a corner. The bird should be curious of you and looking to interact with you and its surroundings.

   • A bird that seems anxious or lethargic is also a sign that it has not been taken care of properly.^[6]
   • Additionally, if the bird’s feathers are constantly fluffed up, this is a sign of an aggressive or frightened bird.

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   Look for four well-formed toes. A healthy lovebird will have two well-formed forward toes and two well-formed backward toes. The toes must also be complete with nails. Be wary of purchasing birds that have deformed feet.

   • Additionally, the color of a lovebird’s feet and legs is typically gray.
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   Check its beak for discharge. Nasal discharge is a sign that the bird is sick. While many illnesses can be cured, it requires a lot of attention. A sick bird, or one with discharge from either its eyes or beak, should make you suspicious of the breeding operation. It is better to choose a healthy bird with a smooth beak that is clear of discharge.

   • Additionally, its beak should close completely.
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   Look for clear eyes. Runny or weepy eyes is another sign that the bird is sick. Choose birds that have clear, bright eyes. Their eyes should also be alert with its eyelids fully open.^[7]

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   Inspect its feathers. A healthy lovebird will have smooth, full feathers that lay flat against its body. Fluffed feathers are a sign that the bird is anxious or frightened. Additionally, bald spots, due to excessive plucking, are another sign that the bird is anxious.

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   Listen to its breathing. Wheezing or squeaking while breathing is also a sign that the bird is sick. If you hear other abnormal noises while the bird is breathing, then choose a different bird.^[8]

   • You should not be able to hear anything while the bird breathes.
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   Listen for vocalization. A healthy bird will make high pitched noises in the forms of calling and chattering. While they’re not the most vocal bird species, healthy lovebirds do make a lot of noise at certain parts of the day.

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