CARING FOR LOVEBIRDS
Lovebirds are little balls of energy that may well beguile customers with their exciting array of colors and playful antics. With three commonly available species and numerous color mutations, lovebirds offer variety to bird customers and make spectacular, eye appealing displays in your store. Be sure to provide new lovebird owners with pointers about care and husbandry, match them with an appropriate lovebird, and ensure they take home plenty of toys and a nestbox or roost for these lively avian companions.
Three species of lovebirds are available to pet owners: the common peach-faced in its many color mutations; the masked lovebird with a green or blue body, black mask and white eye-ring; and the Fisher's lovebird, available in a few color mutations. Other species are prevalent but are rarely available as pets.
Lovebirds can be good pets for novice bird owners who understand their special requirements. Owners must keep playing with and socializing their bird. The experienced bird owner will enjoy a lovebird's spunk and may want to become involved in breeding and exhibiting the many color mutations.
Bird lovers who share their lives with a hand-fed lovebird enjoy its antics. They are eternally active pets that love to climb and hang upside down on their toys, and will snuggle inside pockets and T-shirts. Pet lovebirds require attention every day to keep this level of tameness and to maintain their pet quality. It is rare to tame a lovebird that has not been hand-fed. These individuals are better suited for a colorful aviary situation.
Lovebirds don't seem to realize that they are small birds; they often bully other larger birds and are probably glad to rearrange a few aspects of their owners' lives, as well. Then, there is the stereotype of lovebirds being, well, loving towards each other. In French, they're called "inseparable," but in actuality, your customers will be much happier if they keep only one pet lovebird. Introducing lovebirds to each other often is disastrous, possibly endangering the life or limbs of one of the birds; it is not advisable to house two lovebirds in one cage. If two birds are desired, there is some possibility of having a happy home if the two lovebirds are kept in separate cages.
Necessities
Lovebirds require an appropriate cage, a balanced formulated diet and plenty of toys. These birds love to climb on and swing from toys. Free-flighted lovebirds enjoy a cage-top or tabletop play area to use in the time they spend out of the cage. An appropriate cage should measure at least 24 inches square, with bar spacing about ½ inch apart.
New owners should purchase enough bowls and treat cups to provide dry food, fresh vegetables and clean water to their pets. A second set of bowls is a good idea, to encourage frequent and hassle-free cage servicing.
The birds should be provided with a formulated diet at all times and, of course, fresh water in a bowl or drinker. Lovebirds enjoy both appropriately sized commercial treats and fresh fruit and vegetables. Occasional seed treats or millet sprays also can be provided.
Lovebirds need a nestbox or other dark area in which to sleep. This could be an actual nestbox, or one of the tents, tubes or snuggly plush cage accessories commonly available. Hen peach-fronted lovebirds tend to build a tunnel nest and males may try to help. Hens carry palm fronds, dry grasses or other nesting materials to their roost area and go to work. If nothing else is available, they'll tear up newspapers from the bottom of their cage. It's wise to supply the bird with nesting material for this purpose.
Lovebirds don't carry these items any old way, either. They tuck them into their rump feathers and take off so adorned. It is good to be aware of natural behavior when you get a call from a startled owner.
Lovebirds can be trick trained, so you might want to encourage doting lovebird owners to purchase training books or videos to enhance their relationship with their birds. Small props and shelled seeds are good options as rewards in training, or encourage bird owners to take training lessons offered by a local expert. The intelligence of the smaller birds and their outstanding pet quality should not be taken for granted.
It's always a good idea to have a small travel cage for any pet bird. Pet owners should always anticipate a need to clear a home fast in a disaster situation, or to take a bird to the veterinarian either regularly or unexpectedly. Then, too, lovebird owners might just want to take their pet along on their next vacation.
Grooming items also are important. Styptic powder to stop bleeding is good to have on hand for emergencies. A file or small clipper is perfect to trim lovebirds' nails. In general, lovebirds keep themselves looking spiffy and neat, This natural tendency is enhanced by frequent showers from a sprayer, mister, water bottle or shower attachment or perch.
With instruction and the right setup, you'll make both your lovebirds and their new owners happy. Be sure to sell hand-fed birds as pets and ask people if they have the time to socially play with their pets. They'll need to know about natural behaviors and how to provide the right environment, so include books in your lovebird sales as well as toys, food and accessories.
LOVEBIRD BASICS
- Three species are available to pet owners: the common peach-faced in its many color mutations; the masked lovebird with a green or blue body, black mask and white eye-ring; and the Fisher's lovebird, available in a few color mutations. Other species are prevalent but rarely available as pets: the Madagascar lovebird, the Abyssinian lovebird, the red-faced lovebird, the Nyasa lovebird, and the black-cheeked lovebird.
- Hand-fed lovebirds make the best companion birds, Owners should provide plenty of handling -socialization to their pets to keep them tame.
- Despite their reputation and their name, a single lovebird makes the best pet. If you are determined to have more than one lovebird, they should be housed in separate cages.
- Lovebirds are active, They need plenty of toys, swings and stimulation for their gymnastic efforts!
- Lovebirds like to sleep in a roost. They should be provided with a nestbox, tent, tube or snuggle area for sleeping.
- Hen peach-faced lovebirds build tunnel nests within a nestbox and should be provided with palm fronds, grasses or other commercial nesting materials. If these aren't available, the hen will often tear up newspaper for her nest. She carries these building materials around tucked into her rump feathers.
- Feed a lovebird a formulated diet and supplement it with fruits and vegetables for variety and stimulation.
- Provide a lovebird with fresh water at all times. Would you drink from that water cup?
- Lovebird should receive a well-bird exam and regular checkups. They are susceptible to and can carry Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD), so make these a priority during a thorough examination.
- What else does a pet lovebird need? LOVE!
Reprinted by Pretty Birds from Pet Product News by Diane Grindo - " The Complete Book of Cockatiels"
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