Lovebirds are adorable, feisty little companions loved for their vibrant colours and affectionate personalities. One of the smallest breeds of parrots, lovebirds are a common option for those who want to introduce a feathery friend into their households. sbobet
Though they can be regarded as beginner-friendly, there’s still a list of things you need to know before you get a lovebird (or two). That’s where we come in! We’ve compiled a guide on the most important things to know about caring for a lovebird in Singapore.
Find out more about their key traits, dietary and living requirements, potential health issues and more right here!
Key Physical Traits
| Weight | 40 - 60g |
| Height | 13 - 17cm |
| Life expectancy | 10 - 15 years |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Colour variations | Mostly bright green plumage with the following facial colour variations: Blue, lavender and purple plumages with the following facial colour variations: They sometimes have yellow or orange necks and chests. |
Common Personality Traits
Their big personalities mean they may not be afraid of picking a fight with other birds, animals and humans. If you prefer a calmer pet, male lovebirds are generally believed to be more subdued than their female counterparts!
AffectionateThese birds tend to love cuddles, scratches and pets from their owners. Daily interaction is an essential part of caring for them.
IntelligentLike many parrots, they love a good puzzle and require regular mental stimulation to keep them from getting bored. Some researchers even believe that lovebirds have cognitive abilities similar to that of a 3 – 5 year old child!
How to Care for a Lovebird in Singapore
Keeping a pet is a huge responsibility, requiring time and financial commitment. That said, these feather babies are known to bring boundless joy and satisfaction to one’s life!
To keep your lovebird happy and healthy, you need to provide them with a well-balanced diet, plenty of enrichment and attention, as well as a large, clean living space. Here’s what you need to know before getting one:
Living Environment
Recommended cage size: 46 x 46 x 46cm (max. 2 birds) with 9.5 – 12mm wide bars
Lovebirds need a large bird cage for them to roam and climb about. Each cage should have at least 4 perches for your birds to rest and play on. They’ll also need at least 3 bowls — for clean water, dry food and fresh fruits like fruits and vegetables.
Now, where exactly should you place the cage?
• Against a wall
This helps provide security for the birds – you may also want to get a cage cover so they can sleep better at night!
• Avoid the kitchen and smoking areas
Fumes and small amounts of smoke are extremely dangerous for lovebirds. This is because they have highly efficient respiratory systems that absorb toxins quickly into their bodies and at high concentrations.
• Avoid direct sunlight
Lovebirds thrive in temperatures of 21°C – 27°C, so it’s good to keep them somewhere cool and away from the harsh Singapore sun.
Exercise Needs of a Lovebird
Recommended duration: Up to 1 hour per day
Lovebirds need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. It’s good to let them out of their cages once a day for some supervised playtime to exercise their wings and legs, and to give them the one-on-one attention they love!
Supervised playtime outside of cageYou can let them climb some makeshift stairs or place them on your arm and move your arm up and down to encourage them to flap their wings. You can also play games with them, like letting them chase a string around a room, or dancing with them to some upbeat music.
Enrichment toys inside cageFill their cages with plenty of enrichment toys and accessories to keep their minds stimulated.
These birds love anything from wooden gnaws and DIY paper balls with treats inside them to swings, ladders and mirrors. They also love to shred paper, so make sure to include some dye-free paper in their cages as well!
Diet of a Lovebird
Recommended portions per bird (pellets): 1.5 – 2 tablespoons per day
Recommended portions per bird (fresh fruits and vegetables): ¼ cup per day
In general, your lovebird’s diet should consist of 15% protein, 8% fat and 3% fibre. Most commercially sold pellet and food mixes contain sufficient amounts of nutrients for your birds.
You’ll also need to feed them fresh fruits and vegetables daily such as:
• Bananas
• Carrots
• Papayas
• Peas
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
However, you must avoid feeding them avocados or chocolates as they are toxic to birds.
Supplementing their diets with vitamins and mineralsMany lovebird owners also enhance their birds’ diets with calcium supplements like cuttlebone or crushed egg shells (microwaved to kill any bacteria). Multivitamin supplements may also be added to their diets to boost their immunities.
Clean waterEnsure that your birds have a constant supply of clean water by checking their water bowls throughout the day. As these creatures love to take baths to keep themselves clean and cool, you may need to change their drinking water more than once a day.
Tip: Is it ok to only have 1 lovebird?
Lovebirds are very social birds. Generally, it’s thought that it’s essential for their health and happiness that they are kept in pairs. If you have a single lovebird, you’re advised to provide the necessary social interaction that they’re missing from another bird.
You can do this by scheduling in about 2 hours of bonding time daily. You may choose to play games with your bird, talk or whistle to them, pet and kiss them, or exercise with them.
Single birds are usually more attached to their owners than paired birds. Hence, many owners find it worthwhile to keep a single bird although it takes more effort to maintain the level of interaction they need!
Training a Lovebird
First, create an environment that allows you and your lovebird to connect. You can do this by spending time with your bird daily, speaking softly to it, giving it fruit and playing soft music.
Only start training them once they’ve grown more accustomed to your voice and presence.
Be patient and consistentYour lovebird may not want to interact with you the first few times you approach them, but consistency is key to building a strong relationship. You’ll need to talk softly and make slow movements at first, then gradually move on to hand taming and other tricks.
Keep your training sessions short but regular – 20 minutes at a time, daily.
Always use positive reinforcementAlways reward your lovebird for their progress, or for behaviours you’d like to encourage. Other than food or treats, you can reward them with praises, kisses and strokes – once they’re comfortable of course. You may even give them toys, play music or even show them images that they like.
Many things can be used as positive reinforcement, you just need to be imaginative and pay attention to your bird’s likes and dislikes!
Common Health Conditions in Lovebirds
Lovebirds are susceptible to Chlamydiosis, Candidiasis (yeast infection) and Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD), which are easily spread in unclean living environments.
Note: This list is non-exhaustive and Lovebirds may face other health conditions aside from those listed.
Chlamydiosis
A bacterial disease common in birds, Chlamydiosis may lead to chronic or asymptomatic infections, or may even be fatal if not treated properly. Note that it can also be transmitted to humans, causing flu-like symptoms.
You can prevent this disease in your birds by keeping their living environment clean and hygienic.
Symptoms- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Lethargy
- Shivering
- Wet droppings; lime green or yellow in colour
- Sneezing and runny eyes or nose
- Cough
- Breathing difficulties
- Oral or injectable antibiotics prescribed by a vet
- Maintain cleanliness of living environment
Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)
Candidiasis is a common type of yeast infection that affects the digestive tracts of birds. Caused by a common environmental fungus, this infection may be spread via contaminated water or habitats. It may also be spread by adult birds feeding their young.
This infection typically affects the crop – the throat region of a bird’s digestive tract. It can be treated with antifungal medications prescribed by a veterinarian.
Symptoms- Vomiting or regurgitation
- Little to no appetite
- White spots in the mouth
- Swollen crop
- Crop full of mucus
- Slow digestion from delayed crop emptying
- Lethargy
- Fluffed feathers
- Antifungal medication
- Maintaining cleanliness of living environment
Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD)
A condition affecting the nerves and gastrointestinal tract of birds, PDD is believed to be caused by the Avian Bornavirus (ABV). ABV is spread by the faeces, saliva and mucus of other infected birds and is highly contagious. Due to this, birds that test positive for PDD must be separated from healthy birds.
Sadly, there’s no known cure for ABV or PDD and the disease is often fatal. Veterinarians will usually prescribe supportive care to prevent other conditions from affecting infected birds.
Symptoms- Lack of appetite
- Progressive weight loss
- Regurgitation
- Undigested seeds in faeces
- Weakness
- Loss of control of bodily movements
- Head tremors
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
- Treatment of secondary diseases
- Assisted feeding
Price of Owning a Lovebird in Singapore
One-Off Costs
Buying a lovebird
The price of a lovebird often depends on the rarity of the bird’s colour mutations. Though most pet stores sell lovebirds from $100 to $300, the price of a bird can go up to over $2,000. In Singapore, you can typically find peach-faced, masked or Fischer’s lovebirds for sale.
Setting up the living environment
The cost of a bird cage ranges from $60 to $100, or $300 and above for larger, more premium cages. Some cages come with perches, but you may still want to purchase extra ones to give your new friend some fun options. These go for about $5 to $20 a piece.
Bird feeders cost about $5 to $10, while toys go for about $5 to $25 each.
Recurring Costs
- Food: $20 – $40 per month
- Medical: $50 – $200+ per visit
- Grooming: $10+ per visit
- Toys: $4.50 – $20 every other month
- Vitamin and calcium supplements: $5 – $10 per month
Looking to buy a lovebird in Singapore? Find them at Pet Lovers Centre and the Pet Safari’s Nex, VivoCity, Great World City and the Star Vista outlets. We carry peach-faced lovebirds as well as masked and Fischer’s lovebirds in a variety of colours and personalities.*
Every bird is different, so head down to one of our outlets to choose your next feathery friend today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Owning a Lovebird in Singapore
Are lovebirds easy to take care of?
Lovebirds aren’t too difficult to take care of, though they need a lot of affection, attention and enrichment to keep them healthy. They require daily interaction and need to always have access to toys in their cage. They also need to have regular supervised playtime outside of the cage.
This may be time consuming for some, though the level of daily interaction needed may be reduced by getting a pair of lovebirds instead of just one.
How much attention do lovebirds need?
A single lovebird needs to spend 2 to 4 hours a day interacting with their owners. You can bond with them by talking, whistling, petting, playing or exercising together.Â
As these birds are highly social, a lack of attention may result in depression or destructive behaviours. Getting a pair of bonded lovebirds would thus be ideal if you aren’t able to give them the attention they need.
Do lovebirds like to be held?
Many lovebirds enjoy being touched, cuddled or held, but this ultimately depends on each individual bird. Like humans, each lovebird has their own personality, likes and dislikes, so it’s important to notice how each of them reacts to physical contact.
How do I know if my lovebird is happy?
Happy lovebirds usually whistle, sing and make happy sounds in the daytime. They may also click their tongues to get your attention or to entertain themselves.
