The agapornis is a small parrot that basically comes from different parts of Africa. Even so, and due to captivity, it is currently found in various parts of the planet in the wild.
They are intelligent and very sociable, they love to live in groups or pairs and they are tremendously curious. They are very popular as pets.
Physical appearance
There are 8 types of lovebirds that show different physical attributes:
Finscher's lovebirds: The best known and most common of the lovebirds, almost all of its plumage is green and turns golden from the neck to the head, which is dark orange
Namibian lovebirds: This one in particular is practically all green, its head is red and its tail shows shades of blue
Masked lovebird: It is the same as Finscher's lovebird with the difference that it has a large dark spot on its face similar to a mask
Grey-headed Lovebird: Its body mixes dark green and light green, on the contrary, its head is all grey
Lilian's lovebird: It is very similar to the Namibian one, its whole body is gray except for the red head, it does not have blue feathers on the tail
Black-cheeked Lovebirds: Its body is a radiant green and it has, as its name indicates, very characteristic black cheeks. We also found an orange stain on the neck
Red-faced Lovebird: Its entire body is an intense and uniform green, only its head turns red
Black-collared lovebirds: In this case, the lovebirds are soft green in color, with a black line that starts at the back of the head, reminiscent of a collar
Apart from the characteristics that the plumage offers, we must know that the lovebird is a bird that is around 12 - 15 centimeters in length. They are warm-blooded vertebrates that are kept at around 42ºC and show a strong and curved beak.
It is a bird adapted mainly to flight since it has long and skillful wings, even so, with its legs it can climb, walk, scratch and groom itself. They are very adept at handling food and objects.
Behaviour
Lovebirds are very sociable birds, which is why they are nicknamed inseparable, as they love to be surrounded by members of their own species as well as other animals or people. They quickly tune in with someone who stimulates them physically and mentally in a positive way. They have a friendly and very curious character that begins when they are young and continues into adulthood.
They are good companions at home and also have the ability to learn to speak or rather to repeat some words that you repeat to them frequently.
They like to fly and exercise their wings during the day, so it is important that you think about training your lovebird, especially if it is a young or a papillon bird. If you relate correctly to him you will have a very special pet by your side.
But, How can we understand the language of lovebirds?
When lovebirds are happy and sociable we can appreciate happy sounds, movement, play and the fact that they want to share food. In moments of relaxation and well-being, the lovebird will stretch and fluff its wings while remaining calm.
On the contrary, if we observe an apathetic lovebird that hardly moves, the meaning is clear, it is sad. And if, on the other hand, it tries to peck at us, shouts or flaps its wings exaggeratedly, we are faced with an angry lovebird.
Care
Lovebirds are birds that are quite easy to care for and maintain, even so you should inform yourself so that all their needs are covered and you can enjoy a he althy and happy specimen.
The lovebird must have a wide cage so that it can move freely. Remember that their flight is horizontal so preferably look for a rectangular cage. It should not receive draughts, direct light or aggressive stimuli, it should be a quiet and relaxed place.
The cage must have sticks to support that you must change every x time. In addition, in the market you will find natural branches of fruit trees that beautify the cage and exercise its legs.
Like many birds, lovebirds love to swim: look for a small pool or container so they can cool off, especially in summer. In addition, bathing helps prevent the appearance of lice and mites.
Feed it with seeds that you will find in the usual pet stores, most packages are prepared and perfect so that they do not have nutritional deficiencies. You should also offer him fruit and vegetables, although the latter in less quantity, try giving him different pieces and find out which ones they like best.
Calcium or a cuttlefish bone will be essential in his cage for him to peck at and receive his dose of calcium. Lovebirds also enjoy eating insects as they provide a large amount of protein and iodine, which is very important in this species. If you have reservations about offering insects, you can look for treats or food that contains them.
Finally remember that you should always have fresh, clean water at your disposal.
What more does my lovebird need?
Although this may seem enough, we want to remember that the lovebird is a very playful bird full of vitality. Provide him with toys for him to have fun such as: stairs, mirrors, swings, ropes… The great adaptability of his legs allows him to enjoy all of this. You should also know that they can be somewhat destructive with their toys. They love novelty so never stop surprising them.
Train your lovebird to be best friends. In this way you can let it flutter around the house, something that makes them happy and completes them in their condition as birds. It is also important that if your lovebird spends a lot of time alone and is sad or apathetic, you should consider adopting a companion so that he can interact.
He alth
Below we are going to detail some of the most common illnesses that affect these wonderful birds. If you think yours may be suffering from any of them or you are concerned about its he alth, do not hesitate to take it to the vet.
