Aviculture Lovebird

1 aviculture

1.1 sexual characteristics , behavior
1.2 housing , environment
1.3 grooming
1.4 diet in captivity
1.5 aggression problems other birds , animal species
1.6 pets , bird safety

aviculture

with inclination bond, lovebirds can form long-term relationships people other lovebirds. aggression aroused in lovebirds, however, , may bite unless humans establish bond gentle handling. provided adequate space, stimulating environment, , appropriate nutrition, lovebirds can become cherished companion parrots. love snuggle , preen favorite people.

it preferable obtain birds bred in captivity, rather birds caught in wild. wild birds may harbor diseases such avian polyomavirus. captured wild lovebirds may mourn loss of association mate or flock. age unknown, , may have unsuitable personality domestication. currently, lovebirds no longer imported wild in united states. contrary name might suggest, lovebirds not best kept in pairs; paired lovebirds less have intense relationships humans. birds socialized age, while being brought parents, make pets. practice of hand-feeding young psittacines, including lovebirds, outside of medical emergency has been outlawed in netherlands since 1 july 2014 , lovebird chicks should stay parents until can eat independently, @ minimum 55 days after hatching. however, single birds require frequent attention stay happy, , if owner has limited time spend daily single lovebird, preferable give lovebird companion of same species, or companion of parrot species known along lovebirds. important use cages suitable smaller birds, wide-spaced bars can cause damage these small hookbills. lovebirds can become interactive humans, , when comfortable, willingly perch on finger or shoulder.

some lovebirds talk, many not: there chance may learn mimic human sounds if taught @ young age. lovebirds noisy, calls ranging cheerily pleasant highly irritating; in wild, parrots must call each other on long distances keep flocks together, , through such signals make of communication. best spend frequent, short periods of time lovebird, rather having 1 or 2 interactions every day.

sexual characteristics , behavior

determining sex of lovebird difficult. @ maturity of 1 year, may show signs of whether male or female, such ripping paper , stuffing feathers (female behavior) or regurgitating owners (male behavior: male feeds nesting female). behavior not reliable indicator, however. sure method dna testing; however, experts can sex lovebirds feeling beneath body. there 2 sharp points beneath cloaca known pelvic bone. if points nearer together, bird male; if points further away, female (females must have larger pelvis lay eggs).

housing , environment

a yellow-collared lovebird perching entrance nest box in large aviary @ honolulu zoo, hawaii, usa

lovebirds require appropriately sized cage or aviary. minimum recommended space per bird 1m×1m×1m. lovebird s beaks made of keratin, grows continuously. chewing , destroying wood toys , perches helps keep beaks trim. cuttlebones provide beak-trimming , source of calcium , other necessary minerals. natural perches , special rough surfaced perches of varying diameters placed @ different levels in cage allow greater climbing mobility , gives them choice select comfortable spot roost. require plenty of toys, such willow branches, swings, tunnels, boxes , safe things chew on , play with.

lack of toys, keeping birdcage covered many hours, , lack of companionship or social stimulation may lead boredom, stress , psychological or behavioral problems (nervousness, aggression, feather-plucking, screaming, depression, immunosuppression). lovebirds social birds , enjoy several hours of interaction day. without interaction, daily exercise, roomy cage/aviary, , many toys play with, may resort feather-plucking or screaming, , both behaviors can difficult cure. if owner leaves house, or should leave radio or tv set playing provide sound bird. lovebirds intelligent, , if relationship form need human dedicate lots of time them. lovebirds enjoy baths , sun daily.

grooming

as pet parrots in general, tips of lovebirds toenails should wear down adequately parrot climbing on rough surfaced perches. if parrot has inactive lifestyle toenails may grow long , need trimmed. tips of toenails trimmed. if of toenail trimmed away, painful , bleed blood vessels in center of nail. bleeding should stopped possible use of styptic gel or powder. sharp pointed toenails can blunted filing point. these procedures done of assistant holding parrot wrapped in towel.

diet in captivity

a fresh mix (with or without dehydrated fruits and/or vegetables) of excellent quality combining various seeds, grains , nuts represent typical basic diet. ideally basic mix contain or supplemented 30% portion of bio/organic (naturally coloured , flavoured , without conservative agent) and/or of natural (naturally coloured, flavoured , preserved) pellets.

ideal basic dry mix:

home made:

- 40% yellow millet - 18% canary seed - 10% white millet - 9% peeled oats - 5% japanese millet - 4% safflower - 4% buckwheat - 3% paddy rice - 3% oats - 2% linseed - 2% hempseed

or else blend of commercial mixes:

1/2 typical basic dry mix cockatiel parakeets and/or small parrot/parakeet species (i.e. kākāriki parakeets, monk parakeet, australian grass parakeets, magnifiscent parakeets, pyrrhura conures, small afro-asian ringnecked parakeets).

1/2 typical basic dry mix budgerigar parakeets , other miniature parrot/parakeet species (i.e. parrotlets, lineolated parrot, bourke s parakeet, grass parakeets).

cooked , fresh foods:

these foods , goods must offered possible (particularly cereals, fruits, greens/weeds, legumes/pulses , vegetables), ideally on daily basis or @ least weekly. pellet ratio should increased 1/2 of basic dry mix when cooked and/or fresh foods or offered.

whole grains , cereals:

amaranth, barley, couscous, flax, oat, rice varieties such basmati, brown rice, jasmine rice, quinoa, wheat, lightly toasted whole-grain waffles, non-toasted whole grain breads (i.e. corn-bread, multi-cereal, 14 cereals, whole-wheat), al dente cooked pastas.

edible blossoms , flowers:

carnations, chamomille, chives, dandelion, day lilies, eucalyptus, fruit trees blossoms, herbs blossoms, hibiscus, honeysuckle, impatiens, lilac, nasturiums, pansies, passion flower (passifloræ), rosees, sunflowers, tulips, violets.

fruits discarded pits and/or larger seeds:

all healthy , can offered i.e. apple varieties, banana, berries varieties, citrus varieties, grapes, kiwi, mango, melons, nectarine, papaya, peach, pear varieties, plum, starfruit.

vegetables:

all healthy , can offered including squashes , freshly harvested and/or oven-roasted seeds. i.e. beet, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, cabbage varieties, fresh beans, fresh peas, parsnip, pepper varieties, squash varieties, sweet potatoes, turnip, yams, zucchini.

because of acidity, veterinarians suggest not offer fresh tomatoes parrots, potentially cause ulcers. onions , garlic should avoided because chemical compounds contain may cause anemia. celery not bad in stringy part should removed before feeding vegetable parrots.

mushrooms must avoided due high oxalic acid contents.*

legumes or pulses:

all healthy , can offered. i.e. almonds, beans, lentils, peas, nuts , tofu.

commercial greens , weeds:

mainly;

bok choy, broccoli and/or cauliflower leaves, cabbage leaves, chickory, collard greens, dandelion leaves, endives, escarole, kelp, mustard leaves, seaweeds, spirulina, water cress.

only , sporadically;

amaranth leaves, beet leaves, starfruit, chards, parsley, spinach & turnip leaves. of these feature high oxalic acid contents induces production of calcium oxalates (crystals/stones) binding calcium & other trace minerals present in foods & goods ingested. possibly leading calcium deficiencies &/or hypocalcemia in minor cases. liver and/or other internal organs damage or failure in more severe cases.

wild harvested greens , weeds:

bromus, chick weeds, cock s foot or dactylis (orchard grasses), dandelions, erythronium (dogstooth), elymus, fescues, ammophila (poaceae) (marran grasses), milk thistles, oats , wild oats, plantain (the weed), poa genus (i.e. blue, meadow s, spear, tussock grasses). care must taken offer wild greens , weeds harvested anywhere in country side far highly polluted areas (i.e. cities, metropolises, towns).

only avocados , rhubarb should never offered because both highly intoxicating.*

complete vegetarian proteins:

produced combining 1 type of cereal 1 type of legume/pulse , offer during immatures growth, during molting seasons and/or during breeding seasons (most particularly during rearing of chicks) i.e. almonds + oat groat/meal, couscous + lentils, beans + pastas, quinoa + peas, rice + tofu.

soaked and/or sprouted cereals , grains:

aduki beans, alfalfa beans, buckwheat, lentils, millets & sprays, mung beans, pinto beans, red kidney beans, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds.

sprouts stimulate reproductive system. should offered more (bi-monthly or weekly) breeder specimens in breeding season. , on daily or @ least weekly basis breeders in breeding-season rearing chicks. while should (once per month) offered immatures and/or adult pet birds.

caution lima , navy beans toxic when sprouted healthy when cooked.

fresh water , mineral block must available @ times.

adding these foods provides additional nutrients , can prevent obesity , lipomas, can substituting millet, relatively low in fat, higher-fat seed mixes. adult lovebirds not adapt readily dietary additions, care must taken introduce healthy diets young possible (ideally weaned onto fresh foods before introducing chicks onto seeds). lovebirds other parrots learn mimicry , adult lovebirds encouraged try new foods observing bird eating food, or placing new food on mirror.

parrot species (including cockatiels) biologically vegetarian species. consequently, should fed vegetarian diets ideally supplemented vegetable proteins provided combination of type of wholegrain/cereal type of legume/pulse. eggs (hard-boiled and/or scrambled) crushed shells appropriately healthy source of animal proteins. birds in either breeding, growing, moulting and/or recovering conditions. high levels of proteins (most particularly animal proteins) unhealthy lovebirds living under alternate conditions (i.e. non-breeding, pets).

green- , blue-series peach-faced lovebirds:

two parents 2 fledged chicks


aggression problems other birds , animal species

because of dominant , territorial nature, lovebirds should supervised when socializing other species , genera (whether cat, dog, small mammal or other bird species). lovebirds can aggressive other birds, other lovebirds. hand-raised lovebirds tend not scared , pose more of threat themselves. toe biting can occur when lovebirds socializing/housed small birds (i.e. parrotlets, budgies, , docile cockatiels). should not housed other bird genera can injured or pose threat other birds.

pets , bird safety

lovebirds vocal birds, making loud, high-pitched noises. make noise day, during dawn , dusk. normal parrot behavior flock animals, calling each other before start of day , before settle down night.

lovebirds active , love chew things. when flying within household, wise watch them , protect furniture, electrical wiring or else possibly chew on. try place fresh willow or oak branches in favorite spot (e.g. near high/sunny platform) satisfy natural behavior. other things aware of when keeping lovebirds (also applies other pet birds) @ home danger spots in house, such open toilet bowls drowning, clear glass walls might rammed in full force bird, fumes teflon or anti-stick coating in kitchen, microwave coatings, oven coatings , chemical fumes regular household cleaning products. interaction other pets in house must supervised, such cats , dogs may view lovebird prey animal.

some people keep birds pets practice clipping of flight feathers safety reasons mentioned above. promotes tameness between bird , owner; bird unable react flee , must become dependent on owner lengthy travel.

lovebirds of different species can mate , produce both sterile , fertile hybrid offspring, example agapornis personatus mate agapornis fischeri produce fertile hybrid offspring. these offspring have behaviors of both parents. recommended place birds of same species together, or of same sex reason.

there 2 lovebird societies in united states: agapornis breeders & exhibitors and

african love bird society