Features of the maintenance and care of parrots lovebirds

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Lovebirds, or Agapornis, are very popular house birds. In the order parrot-shaped, they form a separate genus.

Each of the representatives of nine species of inseparable parrots has a stocky body, decorated with plumage of predominantly bright grassy color. However, in some subspecies the feathers are of a blue, pink, green, red or yellow color scheme. The beak of these birds is thick and strongly curved. Depending on the species, it can be straw or bright red. By their size, lovebirds are similar to sparrows or bullfinches.

Their very name confirms that the birds forming one pair are distinguished by their special affection for each other. These parrots are always next to each other, but the opinion that one of them dies after the death of his partner is wrong.

Lifestyle

For those who wish to decorate their leisure such feathered as parrots, lovebirds, care and maintenance of these birds are recommended to study in advance. You need to know what is the way of life of these birds in the wild.

In their homeland, which is the territory of Madagascar and Africa, lovebirds are kept in small flocks, living near water. Such parrots fly quickly, uttering sharp cries in the air. The diet of lovebirds includes small seeds and various berries, which they find in the trees, in the bushes or directly on the ground. They feed on animals and animal feeds in the form of insects and larvae, which makes it possible to feed them when they are kept in the home conditions of the mealworm pupae and meal worms.

The lovebirds prefer forests and savannas in which they dwell between the roots of trees or in the hollows, as well as in the grounds of the nests of large birds (storks, herons, etc.), arranging there "separate apartments". The construction of the home is engaged in the female. She is also responsible for incubating eggs. Males take care of feeding females and chicks. In the laying of parrots are from 4 to 6 eggs. After 19-21 days chicks are born.

Parrots at home

For 20 years, caged lovebirds can live. Maintenance and care of them are simple. Ptahs are undemanding not only to the conditions created for them, but also to the composition of the feed. Loveless animals living in cages or in aviaries can be successfully bred. The best seasons for this are autumn and spring, when there is no heat yet, but the light day is already quite long.

If you live in a cage, lovebirds (care and maintenance, we are considering), keep in mind that these birds do not get along with other birds. This type of parrot is aggressive and able to destroy even those birds that are larger in size.

Types of lovebirds

From the genus of these parrots there are two subgroups. The first of these includes lovebirds with a white peri-orbital ring. In the second group are feathered, not having a similar color.

In total, there are nine species of lovebirds. Among them are the Fischer lovebird and gray-headed, black-and-black and strawberry-headed, orange-headed and masked, green-winged, pink-cheeked and black-winged.

Parrot Cages

If you like lovebirds, the maintenance and care of which you decide to exercise in your home, then by all means a number of questions will arise, the answers to which you can find in this article. First of all, you need to think about which room the feathered cage will stand in. It should be borne in mind that it should be a room with good ventilation, bright, warm and dry, in which there are no drafts.

City dwellers most often have lovebirds in their apartments or build them open-air cages in the attic. The one who has a personal plot, in a warm season has feathers directly in the open air, and in the winter transfers to the warm room.

So, if loveless people appeared in your house (we are interested in maintenance and care), it is best to wipe them in an all-metal cage. It is also desirable that it be nickel-plated. Parrots can be kept in combined cells, which consist of a wooden frame and iron gratings. Such facilities are cheaper, but at the same time they are afraid of dampness, they are short-lived and can become a haven for external parasites of parrots.

Where else can lovebirds be placed? The maintenance and care of these parrots are carried out in cells made of synthetic materials (getinax, organic glass, etc.). Such structures are hygienic, beautiful and not exposed to chemicals. However, they are flammable, and are also afraid of high temperature and hot water. But in general, they are quite comfortable in order to carry out for the birds, which are lovebirds, care and maintenance. Reviews of the owners of these birds confirm that their strong beaks are not capable of destroying such materials.

Equally important is the shape of the cell. Its correct choice allows the most efficient use of territory for the maintenance of birds. So, lovebirds, whose care and content we describe, should be placed in rectangular cells with a flat roof. This will allow to put structures on each other, which will significantly save space in the apartment. It should also be borne in mind that if a parrot, loveless parrots are placed in a round, multifaceted or shaped cage, care and maintenance will not be easy for you. Such a structure is difficult to clean, and parasites will build up in the dirt accumulated in it.

Cage equipment

What should be provided for in a structure where parrots contain lovebirds? Care and maintenance must be carried out in cages with pallets (retractable bottom). This design will greatly facilitate the work of cleaning the dwelling for birds. It is best if the pallet is made of iron or aluminum sheet. Plywood bottom quickly rot from the water scattered parrots.

Also in the cage must be placed perches. Their diameter should be such that lovebirds could not completely wrap their fingers (1.5-2 cm). The best perches for parrots are those made from straight and even branches of deciduous trees. If the twigs were brought from the forest, then before being placed in a cage, they should be treated with boiling water for parasites. Do not use plastic perches. They are harmful to dogs and contribute to the formation of natoptys on their legs.

Also in the cage should be feeding and drinking. They should not be placed side by side in order to avoid wetting of the feed, as well as under the poles, as in this case bird droppings can get into the contents of the containers. For drinking bowls and feeders various containers can be used (jars, salt shakers, photographic cuvettes, etc.).

At the bottom of the cage there must be sawdust or a layer of pure river sand. It is not necessary to lay newspapers on it, because printing ink is harmful to birds. Not suitable for these purposes and ordinary writing paper. Nerazluchnniki very quickly tear it into small pieces.

Cell location

Where should there be a building in which lovebirds will live? Care and maintenance will be optimal if the cell is placed at eye level. This should be a place near the wall. Only in this case, Ptah will have a sense of security. The cage must be installed away from batteries, refrigerators, monitors and televisions, computers and microwave ovens. All these devices are capable of harming the bird.

Ensuring healthy sleep

If your apartment has lovebirds, care and maintenance at home will require them to create comfortable conditions in the dark. For this cage with parrots need to cover. This will allow lovebirds not to shy away from the sudden light, for example, from the headlights of a car passing under the windows.

The owners of parrots should know that birds need 10 hours to sleep in the summer and 12 hours in the winter. People need less time for a night’s rest, therefore, having covered the cage, you can safely continue to watch TV.

If, despite all the precautions, at night the lovebirds frightened something, then you need to turn on the light, open the coverlet and wait for the bird to calm down.

Sunbathing

What measures should be taken to ensure that the lovebirds living in your house are healthy? Care and maintenance (see photo below) should be carried out by putting a cage with them in good weather on a balcony or on the street.

The sun rays, falling on the bird, contribute to the production of vitamin D in its body. During such a procedure, part of the cage should be covered with a veil. This will enable your feathered friend to hide in the shadows, if you wish. When sunbats are taken by parrots, it is necessary to protect them from contact with wild birds, which can be sources of infectious infections for pets.

Take water procedures lovebirds can as much as they want. It is only necessary to ensure that while bathing birds in the room were warm and there were no drafts. Parrots can be worn in the bathroom. They will be happy to run under the gentle pressure of the soul.

The usual food for lovebirds are 2-3 teaspoons of grain mixture, which give ptakh during the day. It is worth remembering that young parrots eat more, but you need to make sure that they do not overeat. Their portion should not exceed four teaspoons per day. Milk spikelets or honey crackers can be hung in the cage to feed the birds. In this case, the volume of the mixture will need to be reduced.
In addition to the main grain feed, lovebirds are encouraged to give fruits and vegetables. They are rubbed on large graters, hung in the form of garlands, attached to a cage on a clothespin, etc.

It is recommended to offer lovemakers porridge of millet and buckwheat, pearl barley and rice. They are boiled in water without adding sugar and salt. In porridge, you can add a little grated carrots, honey, vegetable or fruit puree. Useful feathery legumes because of their rich protein content. However, they must first be soaked in several waters and cook for an hour.

All the necessary vitamins, minerals and fiber parrots can be obtained from fresh herbs, which must also be present in the diet. Birdies enjoy eating spinach leaves and young nettle, dandelion and lettuce. Nerazluchnniku can give shoots of wood lice, which grows in damp places. Parrots need only high-quality food, in which there is no dust and impurities.

Breeding

Lovebirds (care and maintenance, breeding of these dogs we describe) are amazingly beautiful birds. Experienced and persistent lovers can even try to bring out their new varieties, characterized by the unusual coloring of feathers.

The rosy-cheeked species of parrots reproduces most successfully in cages. More difficult to achieve this from the masked and lovebirds Fisher. According to reviews of fans of birds, the most difficult to get offspring from other species of these parrots. But in any case, the owner of Ptakh needs to know what lovebirds require to take care of and maintain.

Reproduction of birds occurs under certain conditions:

- thorough preparation for the nesting period,
- the right pairing,
- ensuring nesting,
- manifestation of attention and care for parrots during the hatching of eggs and feeding of chicks,
- compliance with all rules for the care of offspring.

Lovebirds diseases

Parrots kept at home lack contact not only with the outside world, but also with other birds. In this regard, they are not subject to frequent ailments. However, among those owners who do not know what parrots require, lovebirds care and maintenance, the diseases of the animals appear quite often. So, poor-quality feed causes poisoning of the bird. Irregular cell cleaning promotes the appearance of parasites. Cold baths and drafts cause colds. The presence of dogs in poorly ventilated premises becomes the cause of their poisoning by toxic gases. And if lovebirds are constantly overfed and kept in small cages, where there is no possibility to fly and move a lot, then they become obese, etc.

Rid parrot from the disease is quite difficult. Treatment of birds is complicated by the fact that the symptoms of the pathology do not appear immediately, but when it is already too late. Due to the fact that illnesses of lovebirds are fleeting, ptah dies. That is why it is so important to provide proper care and maintenance, which will be the prevention of many pathologies.

Cell selection

The best option is a nickel-plated cell combined with synthetic elements - plastic, organic glass. Copper cells containing zinc and lead, wooden or bamboo elements should be avoided. This metal is poisonous to lovebirds, and wood and bamboo are poorly hygienic and short-lived.

Preference should be given to a rectangular shape with a flat roof and a retractable bottom, which will facilitate the cleaning process. The distance between the rods in the range of 1-1.5 cm

The cage is needed spacious, so that the parrot does not reach the twigs with straightened wings and can make at least 2 strokes when flying from wall to wall. The minimum permissible cage size for one lovebird is 80 x 30 x 40 cm and for a couple of 100 x 40 x 50 cm.

The content of lovebirds at home should be comfortable. It should be remembered that they come from humid and hot tropics, so the temperature in the room where the cage with a parrot is located should be at the level of 23-25 ° С, and the humidity of the air should be 50-60%. The house should not be placed near a hot battery, heating devices. The room must be bright, but should avoid direct sunlight. It is very simple to make it: it is necessary to hang delicate tulle on the window. The most important rule: no drafts!

The cell itself is placed at a level of 1.6-1.7 meters from the floor so that the inquisitive lovebird watches everyone around.The door should always be open so that the bird at any time could fly out of the house and return to it. This rule imposes a restriction on the possibility of keeping other animals, for example, cats. Predators by nature, they easily calculate that access to the bird is free and will try to get it.

The bottom of the cage is lined with sawdust, pre-sifted, washed and roasted in the oven with fine sand or pieces of paper.

Be sure to in the bird's house should be 2 feeders for dry and wet food, avtopilok, bath for swimming depth of 5 cm and a diameter of 15 cm.

In a cage at a height of at least 10 cm from the bottom you need to place 2 perches, it is best to use for this willow, birch, cherry, apple twigs. They need to be updated periodically. Nearby you can place ladders, rings, swings or ropes, but they should not be too much so that they do not clutter up the space.

Changing environment, transportation cause stress in the parrot. He needs 2 weeks to adapt. During this period, it is recommended to create a calm atmosphere in the house, without screams and excessive noise. The bird does not need to impose attention until it gets used to the new owner. Let the lovebird himself take the initiative to meet.

After buying a parrot, it is advisable to feed the same food that he ate in his first home. As an alternative can be offered canary seed. Switching to a different diet should be very smooth.

Caring for love-makers at home suggests that they must be kept clean, food must always be fresh and of good quality, water must be clean.

dry food is poured into the feeder in the evening in such an amount that it will be enough for the parrot the next day,
wet food is poured every morning and cleaned in the evening,
feeders are washed daily before filling with a new portion of food,
fresh water is poured into a pre-washed water bottle every 2-3 days,
the cage is washed with soapy hot water weekly. Naturally, the litter changes to fresh.

The diet of the lovebird

Proper maintenance of a lovebird parrot includes proper feeding. The basis of the diet - grain and seeds. You can feed the lovebird with a special feed mixture purchased at the pet store, you can prepare such a mixture yourself. It should include:

millet - 150g,
oatmeal - 200g,
canary seed - 150g,
sunflower seeds - 100g,
oats - 100g,
Coarsely chopped corn - 100g.

Sometimes, as a delicacy, cracker or nuts can be offered to lovebirds.

In addition to the grain mixture, fresh juicy food must be present in the diet, which may include carrots, beets, cabbage, lettuce, pumpkin, melon, apples, black currants, grapes, rowan berries, blueberries, dill (parsley lovebirds!) , green onions, nettle, dandelion leaves. Once a week, fresh cottage cheese and boiled egg are added to the juicy feed mixture.

Зерновой смеси попугаям дают 1 столовую ложку в сутки, сочной – 2 чайные.

В клетке обязательно должны быть древесный или активированный уголь и кормовой мел.

Здоровье неразлучника

Эти попугайчики имеют от природы крепкое здоровье, они не предрасположены к болезням. Proper maintenance of lovebirds ensures that the bird will live next to the owners in full health for many years. The main conditions for this are:

spacious cage
warm room with a relative humidity not lower than 50%,
protection from direct sunlight and from drafts,
freedom of movement,
cleanliness of feeders, drinkers and cages,
proper nutrition.

You can not feed a lovebird with a master plate or spoon. Food that is good for humans can cause serious harm to the health of the bird.

Many indoor flowers are poisonous to them: dieffenbachia, bbalium, diploadeniya, lily of the valley, pachypodium, Christmas star, azalea, hippeastrum, all kinds of ferns, primrose, philodendron and some others. Many medicinal herbs - St. John's wort, calendula, wild rosemary, sweet clover - cause various types of disorders in parrots of lovebirds: indigestion, allergies, heart attacks.

Birds do not tolerate harsh odors, so they cannot be smoked, painted, varnished anything.

The first signs that should disturb the owner and encourage him to seek help from a veterinarian:

the bird has lost its interest in the outside world,
poor appetite
bloating
untidy kind of cesspool,
excessive thirst.

Caring for a lovebirds parrot is simple but time consuming. Therefore, before buying parrots, you need to realistically assess your time and energy, in addition, to answer these questions:

who should be entrusted with a bird if you need to leave, for example, on a business trip or on vacation? It is worth knowing that lovebirds are special parrots, they become attached to the owner, like dogs,
would not annoying loud tweets and the need for frequent cleaning? These cute creatures are very active. They fly around the house, everywhere they pop their curious beak, stick to the owner, demanding affection and attention. In addition, their maintenance involves daily cleaning, and this requires strength and patience,
where to put the chicks in case a couple of lovebirds become parents?

In any case, parrots, lovebirds, care and maintenance of which are described in the article, will become the favorites of the family. No one can be left indifferent to their elegant plumage, friendly and cheerful disposition, devotion to the owner.

Description of lovebirds parrots

Lovebirds are small parrots with bright and interesting coloring. They belong to the parrot-like order, the parrot family. Their homeland is Southeast and Southwest Africa and the island of Madagascar. For the first time, these birds came to Russia only in the 1970s.

They are small in size. Adult bird reaches a length of 10-17 centimeters, and its weight does not exceed 60 grams. The head is large relative to the body. The color of the plumage of a parrot depends on its appearance, but mainly green, pink, yellow and red shades prevail in color.

The bird has a very strong and steeply curved beak, with which it can inflict serious wounds. It may have a bright red or yellow color.

Lovebirds are distinguished not only by their spectacular appearance and cheerful disposition.

There are several varieties of lovebirds parrots:

Collared or necklaced. It has a green color, but on the neck there is a bright orange-colored necklace.
Lovebird of Liliana. The main color is green. A characteristic feature of the species is that the head and part of the throat are painted in a bright pink and strawberry color.
Masked. The head is covered with black feathers, which form a characteristic mask. Chest and neck are yellow. The sides and abdomen are covered with a dark brown feather. The back and the rest of the body are dark green.
Red-faced The feather on the entire body has a bright green color, but the cheeks, forehead, neck and neck have a bright orange color.
Rosy cheek. The feather on the body is green, on the back it has a bluish tint. The bird's forehead is bright red, the cheeks and throat are covered with a pink feather.
Gray-headed. The main color is green. A characteristic feature of the species - the upper part of the body in males (head, chest, neck) is painted in a light gray color. The females head is gray-green.
Lovebird Fisher. The main color is green, but the head is covered with a bright orange or yellowish feather. Nadhvoste has a blue color.
Black winged The main color is green. The edges of the tail and wings are covered with black feathers.
Black cheek This look looks like a mask, but black feathers do not cover the whole head, but only the cheeks of a parrot. Also, these birds have a feature - a bright orange spot on the chest.

In the wild, they gather in large flocks, but the male and female form a strong pair for life. Birds build their nests in crevices of rocks or hollows. As a building material used twigs, straws and blades of grass.

Maintenance and care of parrots

Lovebirds are pretty unpretentious birds. For their maintenance at home, a spacious cage made of nickel-plated rods or organic glass is necessary. The minimum size of a dwelling for a young couple is 150 * 70 * 70 (height * length * width).

Inside the cage, the feeder and the drinker are securely fastened, several pockets of unpainted wood or rope are placed. Parrots love different toys, swing or ladder.

Particular attention should be paid to preventive measures and proper preparation of the diet.

The basis of the bird ration is grain. At home, they are fed grain mixtures intended for feeding parrots.

You can do it yourself, observing the following proportions:

oatmeal - 200 gr,
canary seeds - 100 gr,
millet - 100 gr.

Wheat or barley can be added to the mixture. You can also offer the bird germinated grain.

Parrots are happy to eat fruits, vegetables and berries: apples, pears, cherries, carrots, beets, etc. You can offer the cottage cheese, pupae and insect larvae, dandelion leaves and nettle.

Taming a pair of lovebirds

Adult birds practically do not tame their hands, however, small chicks are well accustomed to the owner. Communicate with the birds should be soft, without screaming and without making sudden movements.

These birds suffer in solitude, therefore it is better to keep together two different-sex individuals. If it is possible to install a large and spacious aviary, you can make several lovebirds at once.

Lovebirds never bring food to the mouth with a foot, unlike other parrots

Reproduction in nature and home

In the wild, lovebirds make nests in hollows and rocky crevices. One female lays 4 to 8 eggs.

Chicks are with the mother for up to 56 days, after which they leave the nest, but remain close to their parents. Males help females to care for offspring.

At home, lovebirds should be provided with a breeding box, the minimum size of which is 60 * 40 * 30 cm. Soft straw, hay, and grass are used as bedding. The best time to get offspring is late spring or early autumn.

Parrots are able to mate throughout the year.

Possible diseases and prevention

The sick bird becomes lethargic, hides its head in the plumage, sits, stifling, in one place. Also on the poultry ill health says liquid droppings.

The most common diseases are:

obesity,
poisoning,
hypovitaminosis,
injuries
coccidiosis (infection with protozoa),
worms and fluffy eaters,
cneimidocoptosis (itch mites)
ornithosis
salmonella,
aspergillosis.

Experts advise buying a bird exclusively from proven breeders

Disease prevention is as follows:

Cells and all inventory are regularly disinfected with formalin or bleach solutions.
If the parrot died from infection, the treatment is carried out with a solution of caustic soda or creolin.
Pet diet should be varied and balanced.
It is necessary to ensure that the bird moves a lot. This will avoid obesity.
The cage should be regularly inspected for integrity, since the parrots are very curious and can easily be injured on broken rods.
If a parrot has grown claws or a beak, they are carefully trimmed with sharp scissors.

They do not need a large cage, eat little, have a bright and interesting appearance. It is not necessary to buy parrots in the markets or in pet stores, it is better to turn to a trusted breeder for chicks.

Are you ready for the appearance of lovebirds?

Before you buy a parrot, you need to make sure that you can keep a bird. After all, love the love of a cage, food, toys and more.

Lovebirds love to gnaw everything. If you plan to release the parrots from the cage into the room - remove the necessary paper and do not be discouraged because of damaged wallpaper or furniture. Also get ready for regular cleaning of the litter and feathers, which are left behind by the parrot.

Find out in advance if any of your household is allergic to down or feathers.

Space is a reason to live well

Birds should live in a cage, apartment freedom can turn into a tragedy. Of course, walking around the room is possible, but only under your supervision. But you can not always be around. Escape to the window, poisoning or injury - this is an incomplete list of what can happen to the parrot in your absence.

A cage for a lovebird should be roomy so that a pair of parrots can easily turn around in it. That is, to open the wings, without touching the walls, objects and each other. Even if you have one pet, you may eventually want to buy him a pair.

If you are going to breed lovebirds, then parents and chicks should be placed in a cage. Approximate cage size for a pair of birds:

length - one hundred centimeters,
width - fifty centimeters,
height - fifty centimeters.

Such dimensions are explained by the fact that lovebirds need space for flights, because this is an important rule of content. Otherwise, the pets will have complications with health: from dystrophy (disorders in the development of tissues and organs) to obesity.

Ideally, birds need to buy or build an aviary. Especially for breeding red-faced lovebirds. In nature, this species of parrots during nesting digs tunnels in earthen hills or termites. At home, they will need plenty of breeding space and peat to build a nest.

The main thing - do not get stuck and do not poison

The shape of the cage also influences bird life. In spherical, pyramidal or cubic cages, parrots can get stuck during flight and get injured. Yes, and the harvest of such cells will have to spend a lot of time. The optimal design is the shape of a rectangle: it is convenient to fly, there is always an angle to clog in in case of danger, and it is easy to clean.

The distance between the bars is one and a half centimeters. With a longer distance, the parrot can get stuck and get hurt, with a smaller distance there will be a bad view.

The lovebirds gnaw everything, so the material of the rods should be non-toxic and durable. Copper, lead, or zinc, which is found in some metal cages, can poison birds. Like paint on the bars. A wood cage is also a bad option. A strong beak of a lovebird will spoil its appearance or simply break it.

It is better to purchase a plexiglas, plastic or stainless metal cage with nickel-plated coating.

Where will the birds live

For the cage you need to find a suitable place. You can’t keep parrots in the kitchen - kitchen odors have a bad effect on the respiratory system of lovebirds. For example, evaporation from heated Teflon. In the hallway they also do not belong. Permanent movements of households and pets will unnerve the birds. A draft from the often opening door can bring to a cold.

The best option - a quiet room where there is no TV. Well, if it can open a window for airing without creating a draft. It is advisable to put a cage in a corner so that lovebirds feel safe. Just not on the floor, all because of the same drafts. Pet stores sell special cage stands with convenient drawers for storing bird accessories and feed. But you can put the cage on a regular cabinet.

The cell should not be exposed to direct sunlight or blowing out of the window, and there should be no batteries nearby. Failure to follow these rules can trigger dermatitis, baldness and other diseases in parrots. Birds can also get burned.

The climate in the room affects the health of lovebirds. Parrots will feel good at a temperature of twenty to twenty-five degrees and a humidity of fifty to sixty percent.

In clear and warm weather, take the bird cage out onto the balcony so that they can sunbathe. Direct sunlight is harmful, so create a shade with cotton cloth draped over part of the cage. If you live in a private house, you can build an open-air cage right in the yard and relocate lovebirds to it in the summer.

In winter, parrots will need heat and ultraviolet. Purchase special ultraviolet lamps and ordinary incandescent lamps of forty to sixty watts. They should be half a meter from the cage.

Empty cell is not interesting

Inside the cage should be two feeders for different types of food. It is better to buy plexiglass or ceramic feeders - they are easy to clean. Do not buy trough closed type - lovebirds can get stuck in them.

Also need a drinker. Choose automatic drinkers, they are convenient to use. Do not put troughs and drinkers under the poles, otherwise the litter will get into the food. To make the parrots move more, install feeders and drinkers in different parts of the cage.

Each bird should have two perches of different thickness. You can buy them at the pet store or do it yourself. When buying, give preference to wooden or plastic poles. If you decide to make roost yourself - choose willow, birch or fruit trees. Bark, small twigs and buds do not need to be cleaned - lovebirds can handle it themselves.

A lonely lovebird needs to purchase toys: bells, swings, ladders, funicles, puzzles. With their help, he amuses himself in your absence.

Toys must be non-toxic and durable, preferably made of wood or plexiglass. Otherwise, the birds can choke with a bitten piece or get hurt by a cracked object. If you have two parrots, it does not mean that they will be constantly busy with each other. They also need toys for proper development.

It is not recommended to hang a mirror in the cage. Parrots perceive their reflection as another parrot. Single birds can quarrel with reflection or fall in love and fall into melancholy, not receiving reciprocity. The mirror, in the role of the “third lovebird,” can bring discord in a pair held.

Do not litter the cage with lots of toys. Birds need space for normal life: flying, jumping between the poles, courtship. Better from time to time to change toys, so they will not bother parrots.

Clean - the guarantee of health

In order not to form a fungus or mold, keep the cage, perches and toys clean. At least twice a week wash and scrub everything with warm water and a toothbrush. Be sure to handle boiling water.

You can use detergents, but then wash them thoroughly. After wet cleaning, all equipment must be dried well. Feeding troughs and drinking trough need to be washed before each meal.

It is desirable that the cell has a retractable plexiglass or stainless steel tray. So the cleaning will be faster, and the parrots will not be particularly disturbing.

After cleaning the bottom you need to pour organic sand or put a clean blotting paper, paper towels. Newspaper or magazine pages are not suitable for birds. Parrots can be poisoned by typographical paint.

Parrots are granivorous birds, so the main food for them is grain and seed mixture. In addition, they also need to give vegetables, fruits, berries, protein foods. They will not refuse from greens, twigs, minerals, porridges. Read more about the diet of these birds in the article “How to feed lovebirds.”

Time to swim

Parrots love to wet their feathers. In nature, they often put themselves in order and are refreshed with wet leaves. Water procedures contribute to the proper development of lovebirds, stimulate their growth. Getting rid of dirt and excess secretion of the oil gland, the birds feel better and look good.

In the cold season, twice a week, put a cup in a cage - one for each lovebird. Water is heated to twenty-seven degrees. Do not add anything to it. The water level should not exceed one and a half to two centimeters, otherwise the birds may choke. Before bathing, check if there are any drafts in the room.

After water procedures, parrots should dry out. Therefore, it is better to bathe them in the morning, so that they have time to dry in the evening. Never use a hairdryer to dry your pet - it has Teflon, whose vapors are dangerous to the respiratory system of lovebirds.

It is better to use for this purpose ordinary incandescent lamps of forty to sixty watts. In this case, the birds must sit in a cage, and the lamps are installed in half a meter. Otherwise, curious parrots will seethe their feathers.

In summer, pets need to swim daily. If you decide to leave the kupalka for the whole day, change the water as often as possible. Если птицы наглотаются грязной воды, у них может произойти сбой в желудке и начаться понос.

Общение с хозяином повышает настроение

Одинокий неразлучник требует постоянного внимания. Вам придется каждый день общаться с птицей: играть с ней, разговаривать, выпускать полетать по комнате. Свободный полет не только улучшает настроение питомца, но и помогает его физическому и психическому развитию.

Secure the room before letting the parrot out of its cage. Remove all suspicious items that may harm the lovebird: wires, small objects, poisonous plants, toxic substances. Be sure to close the windows and doors. During bird walks are nearby. And not just to chat with the parrot. If anything happens, you will have time to come to the rescue.

If you have a couple of lovebirds, it does not mean that you can forget about them. They do not require much attention, but they will not refuse to walk around the room. The difficulty is that two parrots are hard to catch and return to the cage. In order not to spend a lot of time catching birds, irritating them with sharp movements, use the following tips:

choose for evening walks when lovebirds run out of energy,
do not feed the birds two hours before free flight,
keep the cell door open,
deciding that it's time for the parrots to go home - put the food right on the bottom of the cage, the “tasty” sounds will force them to fly into the cage.

Claws, beak, wings

Caring for a lovebird will not be complete if you do not follow the horny layers of its beak and claws. In order for parrots to grind them in a natural way, there must always be stones, chalk, sepia, and wooden objects in the cage.

Sometimes the claws or beak of the bird expands greatly. Often this leads to finger injuries or difficult to eat. In this case, they must be cut. If the stratum corneum has slightly grown, you can carefully file them with a nail file. In the neglected case, you will have to use nail scissors. Before the procedure, nail file or scissors should be treated with alcohol.

When cutting the beak or claws, did you touch a blood vessel? Do not panic - put hemostatic powder or hydrogen peroxide on the wound. If you have to cut the claws too often, and the beak began to exfoliate, show the lovebird to the veterinarian. This may be a symptom of the disease.

If you often release lovebirds from the cage, you can cut their wings. With the wings cut, the parrot will not fly out of the window, will not break against the wall, will not fall into the fan. After all, he will not be able to fly high and long, but he will continue to train his muscles with the help of short low flights and jumps to the floor.

Find a helper who will hold the bird, pre-wrapped in a blanket. It will save you from pet bites. Pull the wing and trim six to seven long feathers, leaving one centimeter from the root. If a blood vessel is caught, pour hemostatic powder or hydrogen peroxide onto the wound. Repeat the same movement with the second wing.

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Description of lovebird parrot

In accordance with the modern classification, the genus Nerazluchniki is represented by nine main subspecies, which differ in appearance. Long since such parrots were traditionally called lovebirds, because it was believed that after the death of one bird, the second soon died from sadness and longing.

Appearance

Lovebirds belong to the category of small parrots, the average body length of which varies in the range of 10-17 cm. The size of the wing of an adult individual does not exceed 40 mm, and the tail part is approximately 60 mm. The maximum weight of an adult bird is between 40-60 g. The head of parrots of this species is relatively large.

It is interesting! The plumage color is usually dominated by green or greenish shades, but for certain parts of the body, the uppertail and chest, head and neck, and the throat are characterized by other staining, including pink, red, blue, yellow, and some other colors.

The beak of a wavy parrot is relatively thick and very strong, with pronounced curvature. If necessary, with its beak, an adult bird is capable of inflicting quite severe injuries and injuries even to people and large animals. The color of the beak of some subspecies is bright red, while others have a straw yellow color. The tail part is short and rounded. The legs of the bird are short, but this does not at all prevent the parrots from being very agile and not only run well on the ground, but also quickly climb trees.

Types of lovebirds parrots

Lovebirds of different subspecies have a certain similarity in size, behavior and appearance, but also have some differences:

Collars lovebirds (Agarornis swindеrniаnus). A small bird that has a body with a size of up to 13 cm and a tail with a length of up to 3 cm. The color of the main tail is green with the presence of an orange “necklace” on its neck in black. The chest is yellowish, and the nadhvoste has an ultramarine or blue color. The beak of such a bird is blackish,
Lovets of Liliana (Agarorius lilianae). Body size does not exceed 13-15 cm, and the overall color resembles pink-cheeked lovebirds, but with a brighter coloration on the head and throat. The significant upper part of the body is green, and the lower part is in fairly light colors. The beak is red. There is practically no sexual dimorphism,
Masked lovebirds (Agarornis ronatus). The body length of a parrot is 15 cm, and the tail is 40 mm. The subspecies has a very beautiful and bright color. The area of the back, abdomen, wings and tail is green, the head is black or with a brownish tint. The main plumage is orange-yellow. The beak is red, and there is practically no sexual dimorphism,
Red-faced lovebirds (Agaroris regulations). An adult individual is no more than 15 cm long with a tail size of around 5 cm. The main color is grassy green, and the throat and cheeks, occipital and frontal part have a bright orange color. Females are distinguished by an orange head and a yellowish-green overall color,
Rosy-cheeked lovebirds (Agarorino rósеiсоllis). The total body length does not exceed 17 cm with a wing size of 10 cm and a weight of 40-60 g. The color is very beautiful, in intense green tones with a bluish tinge. The cheeks and throat are pink, and the forehead is bright red. For the beak is characterized by straw-yellow staining. The female is slightly larger than the male, but is not painted as brightly
Gray-headed lovebirds (Agapornis canus). Small parrots no longer than 14 cm in length. The color of the plumage is predominantly green, and the upper chest area, head and neck of the males have a light gray color. The bird iris is dark brown. The beak is light gray. The head of the female is gray-green or green,
Fisher lovebirds (Agaroris fischeri). The bird is no more than 15 cm in size and weighs between 42 and 58 g. The plumage is predominantly green, with a blue uppertail and a yellowish-orange head. The beak is red. There is almost no sexual dimorphism,
Black winged lovebirds (Agarornis tаrаntа). The largest subspecies. The size of an adult representative of the genus is 17 cm. The color is grassy-green. The beak, the frontal part and the border around the eyes have a bright red color. The head of the female is green,
Black-cheeked lovebirds (Agaronnis nigrigreenis). A very graceful appearance of a bird is up to 14 cm in size. External similarity with the masked lovebird is noted, and the difference is represented by gray coloration of feathers on the head and the presence of reddish-orange coloration in the upper chest.

In addition to external differences, all subspecies that are representatives of the genus Nerazluchniki, differ in their habitat and habitat.

Habitat

Red-faced lovebirds live in the territory of Sierra Leone, in Ethiopia and Tanzania, as well as on the island of Sao Tome, where small colonies often settle on logging and forest edges. Rosy-cheeked lovebird lives in Angola and South Africa, as well as in Namibia. Gray-headed lovebirds inhabit forests, palm plantations and date groves on the islands of Madagascar and the Seychelles, as well as Zanzibar and Mauritius.

Fischer's lovebird lives in savannah in Northern Tanzania, as well as near Lake Victoria. Black-winged lovebirds live in Eritrea and Ethiopia, where they live in mountainous tropical forests.

Representatives of the Black-faced Lovebird subspecies live in the southwestern part of Zambia, and the Collars lovebirds live in West and Central Africa. The subspecies of Liliana's lovebird inhabits acacia savannas in the eastern part of Zambia, in the north of Mozambique and in the southern regions of Tanzania. Masked lovebirds are massively found in Kenya and Tanzania.

Buying a lovebird parrot - tips

When choosing a lovebird, be aware that in the process of approaching people, even very sick birds are capable of acquiring activity for some time, so they can give the impression of completely healthy individuals. Inexperienced connoisseurs of feathered exotic animals are advisable when choosing to enlist the help of specialists ornithologists. A lovebird purchased for home keeping must necessarily be cheerful and cheerful, and also have a brilliant and even plumage. In addition, the characteristics of a healthy pet are presented:

feathers tight to the body,
neat, not sticky feathers around the cloaca,
thin, but quite noticeable subcutaneous fat in the abdomen,
sonorous, without hoarse voice,
strongly curved and strong, symmetrical beak,
uniform color of the legs,
lack of spots and growths, as well as peeling on the legs,
glossy claws
sparkling and clear eyes.

Young birds, up to the age of six months, are painted not too brightly and intensely. Only by six months lovebirds for the first time molt and get a beautiful color. It is absolutely not advisable to acquire birds in the markets or in dubious zoological stores, where it is not uncommon to sell sick and old as well as weak individuals.

It will also be interesting:

Competent experts advise buying a bird exclusively from proven and well-established breeders who have long been engaged in the breeding of feathered exotic animals.

Cell device filling

Cage for lovebirds need to choose a spacious, which will allow the parrot to spread its wings. The best option would be a nickel-plated cell, which is supplemented with synthetic elements in the form of plastic and organic glass. It is advisable to avoid acquiring zinc and copper cells with lead, bamboo and wooden inserts. These metals are poisonous to lovebirds, and wood and bamboo are low-hygienic and non-durable materials.

It is preferable to give preference to rectangular structures having a flat roof and a retractable bottom, which facilitates the maintenance of the cell. The standard distance between the bars should not exceed one and a half centimeters. The minimum permissible dimensions for a cage per parrot are 80x30x40 cm, and for a pair of lovebirds - 100x40x50 cm. The room must be provided with sufficient power for lighting, but without direct sunlight on the bird, and also with no drafts. The cage should be placed at a height of 160-170 cm from the floor level.

Important! Experts recommend keeping the cage door constantly open, which will allow the bird to fly out of its house and return to it without difficulty. However, in this case it is absolutely impossible to contain any predatory pets in the same room with a lovebird.

The bottom part of the cage must be lined with sawdust, which is pre-sifted, washed and processed in the oven at a high temperature. Sifted and clean sand is also allowed.

In a bird's dwelling, a pair of feeding troughs, a car washbox and a shallow bath are installed for parrot hygiene baths. At a height of 100 mm from the bottom is placed a pair of willow, birch or cherry poles, which are periodically updated. Additionally, you can install special rings, ladders, as well as ropes or swings for birds.

The correct diet parrot lovebird

The best food for a lovebird are ready-made feed mixtures, preferably produced by foreign manufacturers. In the green parrots you can absolutely not limit, and supplement the diet with dandelions, carrot tops or clover.

In the nutrition of lovebirds should be present fruits and berries, as well as vegetables. It is not recommended to use in feeding lovebirds mango, papaya, persimmon and avocado, which are harmful to domestic parrots. For grinding beak feathers can be given young sprigs of fruit trees.

Care for lovebirds

Rules for regular care for lovebirds are quite simple and consist in compliance with the following recommendations:

dry food is poured into the feeder since the evening and in an amount sufficient to feed the parrot during the day,
wet foods are poured into the feeder in the morning, but are necessarily removed from the cage at night,
the feeder must be washed daily and wiped dry with a clean cloth before filling with a new portion of food,
fresh water should be poured only into a clean auto-drinker, the body of which is washed twice a week.

Parrot cage should be thoroughly washed with hot soapy water on a weekly basis, and then dried well or wiped. When washing the cage, it is also necessary to replace the litter.

Health, Disease and Prevention

Lovebirds suffer from non-infectious and parasitic.

As well as some infectious diseases, which include:

too grown claws or beak
injuries as a result of a failed landing or impact,
avitaminosis,
puffiness of the eyelids
poisoning of different etiology,
obesity with shortness of breath,
problematic egg-laying,
violent or continuous shedding,
articular edema, including gout,
sore throat,
lesion of the alimentary tract or mucous parasites, including coccidiosis,
helminthiasis,
anemia,
sharing fluff and feathers,
bird tick
viral PBFD,
salmonella,
psittacosis,
aspergillosis,
escherichiosis.

It is very important to observe preventive measures, among which are mandatory quarantine conditions for all newly acquired specimens, regular and thorough disinfection of the cage, water sedimentation for the autodrinker, as well as cleaning the pallet and the correct choice of food.

Home reproduction

Parrots are able to mate throughout the year, but summer and the period of early autumn are considered to be the ideal time for breeding, which is due to a sufficient amount of fortified food and a long light day.

In order to get healthy offspring, in the room where the lovebirds are kept, it is necessary to maintain the humidity indicators at the level of 50-60% at a temperature regime in the range of 18-20 o C.

It is interesting! A nesting house is installed in the cage, but the female lovebird builds a nest on its own, using various materials for this purpose, including twigs.

One week after mating, the female lays the first egg, and the maximum number does not exceed eight. The incubation period is approximately three weeks. At the stage of feeding the chicks, the diet of food for lovebirds should be represented by high-protein food, as well as crumbly cereals, germinated wheat and oats.

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Cost of lovebird parrot

As a domestic feathered pet, Fischer's lovebirds are often found, as well as masked and red-cheeked ones, the cost of which, as a rule, does not exceed 2.5 thousand rubles. As observations show, the most “budget” are currently considered to be red-cheeked lovebirds, and mask and Fishers can cost a little more.

Owner reviews

Nerazluchniki, contrary to very popular opinion, may well be kept at home and without their "second half". However, in the opinion of experienced owners of such tropical birds, lonely loveless people in their domestic needs require more attention than paired birds.

It is almost impossible to tame lovebirds, but observations show that the male may become more friendly with age. Therefore, for those who are rarely at home, and does not have the opportunity to devote a lot of time to the parrot, it is advisable to acquire a pair of such feathered exotics at once, which will not allow them to suffer from loneliness.