Lovebirds are small, colourful and packed with personality — big characters in a tiny package. They make great pets, though they are a little feistier than their romantic name suggests.
Why lovebirds make good pets
Lovebirds are beautiful, bold and lively, and they bond strongly with their owner when handled regularly. They are small and relatively affordable, active and entertaining to watch, and can be very affectionate — a lot of personality in a bird that fits in your hand.
Their feisty side
Despite the name, lovebirds can be territorial and nippy, especially if not handled often or during hormonal periods. They need consistent, gentle attention to stay tame, and a neglected lovebird can turn bitey. Their boldness means they also need supervision around other pets and out of the cage.
The pairs myth, and what they need
A common myth is that a lovebird will die of loneliness if kept alone — this is not true. A single lovebird can be very happy and tame with plenty of daily interaction, and often bonds more closely to its owner than a pair would. Whichever you choose, they need a roomy cage, a good diet, out-of-cage time and daily attention, and they live around 10 to 15 years.