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Oh Those Lovies!
The Lovebird originates in Africa. There are seven subspecies of Lovebirds. The most domesticated subspecies are the Peachface, then the Fischer and the Blackmasked. Lovebirds come in a vast array of colours. As a breeder they are a highly addictive bird to raise.. Just when you think you have seen the most beautiful Lovebird ever, along comes another.
Lovebirds are my passion. Why? The Lovie's personality is one to be admired. These little birds have the most optimistic outlook on life. A Lovebird loves toys and swings but if the only "toy" he can find is a seed husk or a toothpick he will play. Even the look of a Lovebird depicts its joy in life. Its beak is formed somehow by nature into what we humans would perceive as a perpetual smile much like a dolphin. The eyes of a Lovie always have a sparkle, a little bit of Irish fun and mischief. To see a happy Lovie is to see a bird that bobs its head, looks you in the eye, and give its tail a happy, wagging shake followed by his "happy chirpy call".
These fun loving birds are always busy and because of this they can make a very nice "caged bird" to be entertained by and enjoyed. But a Lovebird can be a really nice interactive pet, too. A handfed Lovebird is your best choice. They love to be with you. They preen and cuddle under your hair and the smell of a Lovie, to me is likened to that of a newborn baby's head.
And now for the dark side, .of my loveable Lovies. Probably the best thing I ever saw written about the Lovebird persona was in an article of Bird Talk Magazine. Like me they spoke of the wonderful qualities of these birds and then they said, "These loveable little birds are more like "Buffy the vampire slayer"!" Well, I laughed out right! How true, sometimes! .I say Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde, myself! True. This is mostly in the females but then I am sure men say the same about us women quite often. The female Lovebird can become very protective of her cage when she is thinking about nesting. Your friendly little bird can become a "pitbull". The thing to know is that this too shall pass. Stick training helps out immensely here for usually once away from her cage she is pretty much "normal" in personality again. See.. Dr. Jeckle Mr. Hyde! Not all female Lovies are like this and as long as you understand this about your Lovebird you will be able to cope and get through this stage.
All in all to me there are no bad Lovebirds. Even their constant chatter is soothing to my ears. Their good qualities far surpass the bad. I have had and still do have some "Buffys" in my home.
Ya gotta love a Lovie!
Written by: Deb Brown
Mia and Milo are my two favourite breeding pair of Lovebirds. They each have a wonderful disposition and passed that on to their babies.
"Dee" is one of Mia's first babies. She is my "petpet" along with her chosen mate, "DumDum". I let them out to fly free in the house. They are always under supervision but it is hardly necessary as the two of them cling to my clothes and my hair and crawl all over me. If one does fly, the other gives a whistle and is right behind. They give me much joy.
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