Lovebirds etc.?

Question

I am thinking of getting a pair of pet birds for my grandmother as she is really interested in birds, would lovebirds be a good pet? are they friendly? I like how they have a good lifespan, I read they live for at least 15 years if they are looked after properly. Thanks! :)

Answer 1

A lovebird can be a very loving pet if you go to a breeder and get a hand fed/raised baby.  Also only buy 1.  If you get 2 the birds will bond with each other and not your grandmother.  In order to keep them social just like any other bird, it will need to be handled every day.  Although they don't talk, they will chirp and sing and can be enjoyable to be around.

Answer 2

I had two Peach Faced lovebirds in a cage together (Ricky & Lucy). As a pair I could rarely pet either one without being attacked. If kept individually in a large cage they can be very friendly. (Bites from a Lovebird is like being cut by a razor). I now only have Lucy who I keep in a large cage with lots of toys.  She is very loving and has learned to wolf whistle on command. If you keep them in a small cage they are territorial and will be very aggressive even with lots of attention. Oh & they can get very loud. Lovebirds are aggressive birds, but if given lots of attention can be a wonderful pet.

Answer 3

If you want a good interactive, playful pet, a single hand raised lovebird would be a fantastic pet. Lovebirds do not have to be kept in pairs, that's an old myth. A hand raised lovebird could be a pet that will follow you around the house, perch all over you, cuddle and can even mimic whistles and occasionally some can learn a few words. They can live 15-20 years with good care and regular vet visits.

If you want a pair, and still want to be able to play with them, the same with getting a hand raised bird applies. If you think your grandmother would just like the birds to look at, a pair or a single bird would be fine as well.

Lovebirds are very smart little parrots. They need as big of a cage as you can afford to get them, and need toys of all sorts to play with or they can get very bored. A bored bird can be a destructive bird, to themselves or their environment. Ideally you want a few different kinds of toys (foraging, preening, shredding) that you can rotate in and out of the cage once a week or so to keep things new and interesting for them.

Keep up the research and ideally find a bird from a breeder rather than a pet store. You'll end up with a healthier, well adjusted bird and will know the health and background of the bird and it's parents. Not to mention if you do decide on a handraised one, it's virtually impossible to find one that's been continually played with once it's in a pet store setting that's remained tame.

Answer 4

They can be friendly if they are hand raised or hand fed.  They could be a good pet, but for an older person it might eb difficlt to clean the cage, so maybe you could help her with that.  Remember buying pets for a gift isn't always the best idea.  I'd ask her first and maybe see what she thinks.  Also remember birds bite. But a pair of lovebirds can be a nice addition to the family.  Birds are noisey an very messy and toys aren't waht we call cheap. If those issues aren't a big deal then lovebirds could possibly be a ncie addition in your grandmother's life.