Are Lovebirds for you ?

There are many factors you must think about before you choose a lovebird or lovebirds and these are a few of them; Cost, Noise, Size, Aggressiveness and Can you make money from your lovebirds ?

Cost

You have to spend money in order to take good care of your lovebird. However, taking care of lovebirds is not as expensive as taking care of larger parrots. If you decide to buy between one to four lovebirds, you can start with small investment of several hundred dollars to buy the birds, a cage, and food.

Buying a lovebird and an adequate cage are basically one-time purchases. Lovebirds are not expensive in comparison to other parrots. Lovebirds that come from local pet stores or breeders can range in price from $20 to $130 US for the more common species and mutations. The price of a lovebird varies according to the quality of the birds, the rareness of the mutation, and whether the bird is hand-fed or parent-fed. Parent-fed Lovebirds are generally less expensive. Rarer species and mutations will cost quite a bit more.

Lovebird food is not very expensive. You will have to spend about $20 US a month on quality brands of bird seed and treats. In addition, you will have to feed your lovebird fresh fruit, vegetables and grains, but these foods can be morsels of your daily diet.

Lovebird supplies are also not a big investment. Toys, perches and other supplies are mainly one-time purchases, but you will have to replace old or improper supplies. You should buy your lovebird new toys every once in while.

Medical bills can become very high, even though lovebirds are relatively sturdy birds. Some people argue that buying a new bird is cheaper and easier than spending hundreds of dollars on medical bills, but you have to look at your situation. As the "animal guardian" to your lovebird, you have a moral obligation to save their life and make them as comfortable as possible. Overall, money is not a big issue when you are thinking of having a lovebird as a pet. Spending time with your bird is just as important as providing the basic necessities of food, shelter and medical aid for your bird.

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Lovebirds don't talk, they only fly

Some people buy parrots just because they want a talking bird, never ever buy a parrot just because you would like it to talk because some times just like in the case lovebirds they don't mimic talking or they only rarely mimic talking. Many experts agree that lovebirds cannot talk. Although lovebirds only mimic once in a blue moon they do mimic whistles such as a wolf whistle.

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Aggressiveness

Before you choose a lovebird you must remember that in the wild lovebirds are a very small creature in a big bad world filled with other big bad creatures that want to eat them for dinner. Lovebirds have survived by becoming a very aggressive little bird and will attack and kill other species including larger species of birds. You should NEVER add a lovebird to a group of birds that are a different species otherwise your lovebird will be the only bird left after it attacks and kills the rest.

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Noise level

Although lovebirds do not make as much noise as a larger type parrot would make, you still have to consider if you (and the people you live with) can handle the noise a lovebird will make. Lovebirds chatter to one another and to their human friends in a high pitched sound; experts agree that the most annoying call is made by the peach faced lovebird.

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Size

Parrots come in many different sizes, lovebirds just happen to be at the bottom of the size chart which makes them ideal pets for a flat (apartment) or house as the larger bird the louder the bird. Cages are also relatively inexpensive and easy to find.

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Making Money from your Lovebirds

Most people buy lovebirds because they want a pet, and do not think of gaining any monetary profits from them. Having a cuddly friend is rewards enough for many owners. In general, making money from lovebirds is very difficult. If you own lovebirds solely for the idea of getting rich, think again. You must be committed to your birds if you want to make any profit at all.

Some people decide that they want lovebirds in order to breed and sell them. Lovebirds are quite fertile, but it takes a lot of skill to successfully breed quality lovebirds. An inexperienced "backyard breeder" produces inferior birds that may have deformities and genetic illnesses. No informed customer or respectable pet seller will buy these birds from you. It is also difficult to make any profits from breeding. If you are committed to the hobby and are willing to put a lot of time and effort into it, then go ahead and try breeding lovebirds. Just don't quit your day job.

You can make some money by winning cash prizes at bird shows, but this is not the best reason to participate in pet shows, and you will most likely not win anything at all.

You can train your lovebird to do tricks and then stage performances for money. Again, you will not make very much money unless your bird is an amazing talent, and this exploitation is unfair to your lovebird, who will not get much in return for her performances.

Overall, don't look at buying lovebirds as a material investment. Think of it as taking a lovebird under your wing and benefiting from the pleasure and fun of an animal companion.

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