Animal Stories - People Talking About Lovebirds



Select Pet Atlas	Select A Family	Species / Breed

Latest Animal Stories on Lovebirds (337)

mosad sayed amer - 2012-09-13
Hello everyone .... Dear Charlie ... Infact I have a problem with one of Lutino due to accident he lost his tail feather completely and so when start feathered again he bite tail vigorously till bleeding and the result is no feather since 4 months ... What I can do Charlie Roch ...thank you very much .

Click For Replies (2)

Charlie Roche - 2012-09-13
Oh boy - you are going to really like this one. A feather comes through the skin of the bird essentially in a waxy type shaft. Youhave seenthis wax wrapped around a feather when the bird is getting in a new feather especially during a molt. Sometimes what happens is that feather with that sorta wax stuff breaks off before the feather grows out and what it leaves is sometimes a sharp itchy piece of was including the feather shaft right at the edge of the skin. One, turn the bird upside down, wrapped in a towel to see if there is a bump, a protuberance, you can feel a bump or something loose hanging around the area. I would be like you having a hangnail - it itches, it is sore and the new feather coming in irritates the area. You can take the little guy to the vet and have this pulled out or you can wrap the bird in a towel and literally use a pair of pliers and take a firm grip and pull it out yourself. They are hard to pull. If you can't find the broken feather shaft, you are going to have to use the vet. If you are the least bit nervous (and i would be too) maybe the vet. But if you think of a child and his tooth is loose and he is screaming - you gain courage. You have a child and his tooth is loose and you need to get that tooth out. Ain't easy but better to really get a grip on that feather and pull. Need Quik Stop cuz it might bleed. if their is no waxy protuberance or broken feather shaft - do the vet though - cuz ihave no idea what it would be if not that.
Charlie Roche - 2012-09-13
Not pliers - I meant nippers. A really good pair of womens eye brow tweezers sometimes work but youhave to be able to hold that feather shaft and it isn't easy. Sorry about the pliers - get my tools confused.

Jasmine - 2012-09-11
My lovebirds had 4 eggs Aug, 25 2012 and they Still haven't hatch but they still sit on them. what should I do?

Click For Replies (1)

Charlie Roche - 2012-09-11
I would let them sit them for another 12 - 14 days. Incubation for lovebirds is about 24 days from when they first sit the eggs which is usually when the last egg is laid. You say they had 4 eggs on August 25th - Now is Sept 11th so only about 16-17 days - I don't know if the eggs are fertile or not - but in any case you should let them sit them the full 24 - 27 days. They may not be fertile but you don't want them to try and double clutch (lay another clutch right away) as can lead to calcium deficiency -

Aida - 2012-09-11
I have two 12 month old peach-faced lovebirds. One is completely yellow with an orange stripe on top of her head and the other one is mostly green with various other colours in the mix. I have a few questions: 1. The yellow one, will the orange stripe turn red and extend down her entire face with age or will it remain just as it is? 2. I bought them a snuggle hut, which became like crack to them. They wouldn't come out to eat, drink or bathe. As soon as they'd spot the snuggle hut, they would literally dive into it. Then they became aggressive towards each other when they weren't at all prior to me buying them this hut. The aggression led to the green one loosing half an eye lid and the yellow one 2 toes. So I separated them, and made sure both of them had a hut because they loved it so much. The problem: the green one started plucking and mutilating himself, the yellow one learned how to escape from the cage and would perch beside the green one's cage. So I got rid of the snuggle huts completely and put them back in one cage. The plucking has not gotten better but the mutilation of skin and feathers has. There is still some aggressive behaviour, but it's like the one you described with the female wanting to mate. I also noticed, the more time I spend with the green one, especially outside of the cage, the less he plucks. With that said, they are at the age were they can produce eggs, how should I go about this with a nest box and avoid the same problem that I had in the past, especially the fights. Coming home to find a cage splattered with blood on a Friday with the two vets in my city that specialize in avian care closed was terrifying. 3. They are very picky eaters. How can I make them eat nutritious foods? I feed them a mixed seed, pellet and fruit diet. From what I noticed, they just go for the seeds. I have seen them nibble on the raisins and other dried fruit once or twice (RARE occasion), but never on the pellets or anything fresh, such as broccoli or eggs that I put in the cage. I apologize for the length, but you give great advice.

Click For Replies (2)

Charlie Roche - 2012-09-11
I don't think anyone will know if the orange will continue to grow. I do know that you will know soon as they are going through their first adult molt right now and will achieve their adult coloring in about 8 weeks. So you will know in 8 weeks. Snuggle huts can be great things and many birds love them. Think though you had a younger two lovebirds (two young children) and you bought just 1 snuggle hut. If you had a mature pair - there probably wouldn't have been a problem (I say probably) as who is dominant and gets in it first is already determined. With two young birds (or children) it appears that only one got a present and they both want it. Probably if you had purchased two snuggle huts, they would have wound up sleeping together in just one anyway but without the fighting. Possibly. You put up two nest boxes -- give them a choice. People write and say their birds love fruits and veggies - mine only eat them off my plate if i am. Dehydrated fruits and veggies have the same nutrition as fresh fruit and veggis (I have been assured) so I buy Goldenfeast fruit and nut plus and it has seed plus dehydrated fruits and veggies. You'd have to look them up and ask for a store that carries it near you. Or just get dehydrated fruit and nut mixes - trail mixes without additives. I am sorry - they got in such a fight - rare but it does happen but you did good. Yes, the plucking has a tendency to stop when they get more attention, more toys, ar able to see TV or listen to music. Also molting now so good time for spritzing or bathing. Sound slike the little yellow one loves the green one - just a little too amorous.
Charlie Roche - 2012-09-11
Thought about you and true thing that happened to me. I had a female and male hawkhead - both of them pets, both in separate rooms in their own cages. To the best of my knowledge they had never met. One morning i get up and my male is not in his cage. He is in the next room, on top of the females cage and he did not have one feather . He was naked as a jaybird. So I let the boy in with the girl and all turned out fine - a least yours didn't wind up completely bald. My fellas feathers grew back in. Can't figure out these feathered children sometimes.

ananya roy - 2012-09-10
My lutino lovebird (female) and blue masked lovebird (I think it is female,but cannot say for sure) are acting very strangely.they are behaving like a couple and you know what I mean.they are frequently doing 'it'. Eggs are appearing on the floor of the cage.and now they are making a nest in the nest box I provided. I know it is very stupid of me to ask this, but do you think that birds change sex in a single sex environment? It doesn't make any sense to me.two female birds are acting like a pair, doing what pairs do, and making nests, and laying eggs. They stay in the nest most of the time, only come out to feed and poop, and again return to the nest.this whole thing is so absurd.but believe me, I am not lying or making up this thing at all. Absurd things are happening and I can't find any rational explanation .(the professional bird breeder whom I consulted for determining their sexes is 100% sure that both the birds are female so I am very confused.

Click For Replies (1)

Charlie Roche - 2012-09-10
Many many times I have heard that a 'pair in the wild is two birds'. You have a pair but probably both females. One asssumes the male role but both will lay eggs and so you will have many infertile eggs. Just let them have them until they are bored with them or up to 20 days or so and then throw them out. Replace the egs with a new toy. Hopefully, they don't continue to do this otherwise you might have to get a couple of fellas.

Think gals lay eggs. They just do - think chickens. Chickens just lay eggs - they don't change sex or anything - they just lay eggs.

Alyna - 2012-09-06
Hey I just got my amazing little yellow peach face Lola about 2 weeks ago and she wasn't hand raised so I'm slowly trying to encourage her to come out of her cage and get use to my hands. I was just wondering what the best way to encourage her to get use to my hand would be because I don't want to scare her! I was also wondering if there is anything else apart from her seed mix, millet and the ocassional bits of toast that I should be giving her because she really doesn't seem interested in any fruit or veg? (oh and I sadly got her wings clipped because I couldn't have a flying bird and I'm wondering if that would be affecting her trust? Also they could only tell me at the pet shop that she was between 1-6 mths so will that change how quickly she becomes hand raised?) Thanks!

Click For Replies (1)

Clarice Brough - 2012-09-17
Being a young bird should help in winning her trust. Birds have great memories, but if she is truly that young, she won't have a lot of history to work around. You could try cherios, I've used them successfully. Some birds just don't warm up to fruits and veggies easily. It will still come down to being calm and patient though:)

arun - 2012-09-01
Is it friendlly lovebird or not , is it possible to train this bird

Click For Replies (1)

Charlie Roche - 2012-09-01
Lovebirds are most of the time extremely cuddly, lovable and affectionate. They love their humans and wish to be around them and by them. You say 'train' Love birds are not the normal parrot for training. Yes, they step up and they pet but if you are thinking roll over, lay on their backs, fetch, riding a scooter, or playing parrot game sthat you teach - no they are not those kinds of birds that one would TRAIN for a bird show. Step up an dpossibly coming to your hand waving when called - yes.

wizgem - 2011-12-21
I got 2 dutch blue lovebirds last summer, one with orange head and acting like male, the other with slightly grey chest and just a little hit of peach color on its head and receiving regurgitation from the male one since they arrived.

Lately, I've seen the male one trying to mate with his mate, but the little one just would not let him.

Does anyone have same experience and knows whether they are a couple or not?

Click For Replies (2)

Charlie Roche - 2011-12-22
Animal World article on lovebirds Lovebirds and scroll down to the breeding/sexing information. The only way to be 100% sure is through DNA sexing. Read the information and look at the photo. For me the easiest visual cue isa the females head is a smooth arch from the eyes to the top of the head and over to the neck. The males head is flatter. This works much of the time. If you have two males it is not unusual for the alpha male to assume the male role and the second male to assume the role of a female. Obviously, this will not result in breeding just certain behaviors. Additionally, if the female isn't ready - it is her call and she will put the male off untill she is ready. Try and determine the sex if you can. If one lays an egg it is a female. Enjoy and have fun.
wizgem - 2012-08-25
Appreciate the input. I'm sure that both of my lovebirds are boys now, so I'm wondering if it's a good idea to get another two girls at same age to join them at this point? If so, where should I look for them? Since I got my two boys from friends in 2010 when they were already 1 year old, so I guess they will need female companion around 3 yo. Anyone has good suggestion?

wizgem - 2012-08-25
Just to share with all lovebirds lovers ... My two Dutch Blue Lovebirds are very fund of apple, pear, and corns. They also like seeds from apple, melon, and pomegranate. Honeysuckle and Star Jasmine flowers are their snacks when in season. Since both of them are 'boys', they have their own favorite playmates, one is stuffed toy Garfield that has bright orange fur, the other is soft and juicy wheat grass bed ... :o) ... As long as they are happy, I'm fine with it.

Linda - 2012-08-19
I have a 4 month old peach-faced named Frasier. I've been noticing at times that he'll start scratching his head & then starts gagging (or hacking). Looks like he wants to bring up a fur ball like cats do. What is this? He'll do this several times in a row before he stops.

Click For Replies (1)

Charlie Roche - 2012-08-19
He is regugitating and it is normal. When they want to show they love you or are smitten they will regurgitate their food in an attempt to feed you. I mean they can't give you a diamond so they give you the oinly thing they can - their food. It is just an affectionate gesture. If he is on your head or shoulder just grab the beak and say 'not hungry but love you' It is how mom feeds her babies also - and yours is pretty young -

Amy - 2012-08-15
We have a beautiful little Peach-faced Lovebird named Sherbert who is a bit of a brute and brat. She likes to bite when she isn't getting her way. She loves to run amok in the house and then when we try to catch her she'll bite hard. We've resorted to wearing oven mitts every time we try to grab her when out of the cage. She is in love with my husband and purrs and snuggles, but I'm afraid to even go near her. She'll get on your shoulder and bite when you try to get her off. I already have a human toddler, what do I do with a bird toddler? I hate to leave her in the cage all the time.

Click For Replies (1)

Charlie Roche - 2012-08-16
WOW - OK She wants what she wants and she doesn't wish to go back in her cage. That is it. If most of the time she gets picked up to go back in her cage - and she doesn't want to - she is going to make you undertand any way she can that she wants to be with her 'FLOCK' and that is her human 'FLOCK'. She does not wish to be alone. How far away from family activities is her cage? Can she see you? Things like do not eat in front of a 3 year old child as it will have a temper tantrum is true for a parrot also. If she can hear you but not see you - she is not happy. She will fly to where you are. She will sit peacefully on your shoulder until she thinks you are going to 'PUT HER AWAY' So best to have her safe place where she is part of the flock. Biting - it isn't the top beak that bites - the strength is in the bottom beak. The top beak is for climbing or holding. When you think she is going to bite you can 1. leave her alone 2. yell 'NO' and clap 3. grab her up by placing your thumb literally under her beak which will prevent her from biting and yell 'NO' A kitchen mit is KING KONG or a COBRA snake coming at her and she is going to do whatever she thinks she has to to survive. She can not bite you if you are holding her mouth closed. If you grab her and hold her tightly against your chest with your thumb under her beak - she can not bite. This will sound nuts but I had a bird that would bite - only one - and I finally called a trainor. The trainor told me that when the bird looked like it was going to bite or attempted to bite to grab it yell 'JAIL' and put it in the bathtub, lights out (so in the dark) and count to 60. First time no reaction but when I opened the bathroom door, there she was sitting in the center of the tub with this 'good as gold look on her face' Second time she just looked at me and decided to bite anyway so back in the tub yelling 'JAIL' and she was as meek as a newborn lamb on the way out - in just 60 seconds. Third time I yelled 'JAIL' and she shook like a dog after a bath and did not bite. So think about where her cage is. Think about the pecking order in the flock and is she not being included. Hold her so she can't bite. Then there is JAIL. Hope this works. Easier solution is to just let her love your husband. If she has pair bonded with him - she is jealous of the other woman in his life and that is OK too. They pick a mate and frequently become very protective of that mate - even when it is a human.

About Animal-World

Animal-World offers animal pictures, videos, and animal information on all different types of pets and animals. Included are animals that are commonly kept as pets, exotic pets and wild animals. Check us out for information, education, and fun. We strive to aid in responsible pet ownership and an understanding of the importance of preserving and honoring our world and its inhabitants. Animal-World members and contributors are from all over the world. You too are invited to be an active participant in this community. Post your own personal pet stories, contribute pictures of your pets, and join the forums for pet and animal discussions.

Visit Animal-World

Animal Stories - People Talking About Lovebirds

About Animal-World