Keeping and Taming Lovebirds (Agapornis)

1 Lovebird Traits

Also called lovebirds, they come from Africa, are small and cute, with yellow-headed, black-headed, and brown-headed forms. They basically cannot talk; as small parrots their mimicry of human speech is weak, but they copy other birds and animals very well.

2 How to Keep Lovebirds

Keep them in pairs or flocks, sizing the cage to the number and birds and making it sturdy so they cannot squeeze out and fly off.

In hot summer, bathe them about once a week by filling the cleaned food dish with clear water or misting them, then set them in the sun to dry. As it cools, cut bath frequency to avoid colds.

Choose food carefully and keep the diet varied: rice, millet, oyster shell powder, fruit, or a dedicated balanced feed, to meet nutrition.

3 Raising Young Lovebirds

Use wood shavings as nest bedding and change them in time to keep feathers clean and bones developing.

Keep chicks warm, with their environment above 25°C.

Interact often while feeding to seize the training window: build a set signal, like repeating the bird’s name or a certain whistle at feeding, so it later knows you are calling and forms a conditioned response. A set signal is the basis of talking with your bird, letting it recognize your voice, including speech, as it grows.

Before they learn to fly, chicks barely heed commands or follow you; once flying they cling to you and go everywhere with you. So do not think the bird has a bad temper, it is just not there yet.