Do you have a pet lovebird? Are you considering getting another bird? The short answer is we don’t recommend housing lovebirds in the same cage with other bird species. In this article, we will discuss the lovebird’s personality, whether they live well with other bird species, and our tips for housing your lovebird with another bird.
What Are Lovebirds?
Lovebirds, also known as “pocket parrots”, are small parrots that belong to the genus Agapornis. All lovebirds are native to Africa, however feral populations of lovebirds exist in other continents (for example, in North America). All species with the genus grow to be around 13–17 cm (5–7 in) in length, with a wingspan of around up to 24 cm (around 9.4 inches), and 40–60 g (1.5–2 oz) in weight.
There are nine different species of lovebirds. Three of these species are commonly kept as pets: rosy-faced or peach-faced lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis), masked lovebirds (Agapornis personatus), and Fischer’s lovebirds (Agapornis fischeri). However, other species do find their way to the pet trade from time to time.
Typical Lovebird Personality
Lovebirds get their name from the observed behavior of a bonded pair of these birds frequently seen sitting in close proximity to one another. However, lovebirds can also have a tendency to become aggressive and territorial, especially if they have been hand-raised. They seem to not have a sense of their size and have been known to threaten or attack other birds that get too close to a person they’ve bonded with.
Do Lovebirds Get Along With Other Birds?
Unfortunately, we don’t recommend housing lovebirds in the same cage as other bird species. This is because lovebirds can be quite mean to other birds, regardless of their size. You can pair two lovebirds together, though they can still be territorial toward their own kind. This is especially true if space is limited; the recommended space for one lovebird is a cage that is at least 40 x 40 x 40 inches in dimensions.
If you have the space, providing your bird with a companion can be very beneficial. In large aviaries, these birds often get along well with members of their own species (presumably because of the availability of more space).
The 3 Tips for Pairing Lovebirds
1. Introduce Early
The odds of success increase when two lovebirds are socialized towards each other at a younger age. The best age for this is when the birds are fledglings (just out of the nest). Though introductions later in life are definitely possible, they can be more difficult (especially if one of the birds is in fact a pair-bonded individual separated from their mate).
2. Purchase a Large Enough Cage.
If you are going to keep two birds in the same cage, you need to make sure the cage is large enough for both of them to move around. Lovebirds may be small, but they still need space to fly around. As mentioned earlier, for a single lovebird, the cage should be at least 40 inches across all dimensions (length, width, height). For two birds, the cage needs to be even larger.
3. Be Prepared
Ultimately, you can’t force your birds to get along any more than you can force two humans to get along. If you find that your birds are not getting along, you need to separate them to avoid injury on either of their parts. Before you buy multiple birds, make sure there is enough space in your home to accommodate two cages in the event that you need to separate your feathered friends.
Summary
In general, it’s not a good idea to house your lovebird in the same cage as another bird species. Lovebirds often get along with other lovebirds, provided you have a cage large enough for both birds to be able to comfortably move around.
Featured Image Credit: Denis Velicanov, Pixabay
