Having an attractive and affectionate character, love birds make great pets. With their chirping abilities and bubbly personality, you'll never get tired of being around these creatures. This type of bird is preferred over other bird species because of its small size and easy maintenance. In addition, love birds also tend to be healthier than other types of birds. This article offers ways to care for these adorable creatures.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Confirming whether this type of bird is suitable for keeping
Step 1. Ask yourself the following questions before you buy a love bird:
- Do you have a safe place to keep love birds?
- Do you understand that you have to be able to provide him with a place to stay at all times? Keep in mind that love birds can live for 10 to 20 years.
- Are you financially able to take care of it? Fortunately, keeping love birds doesn't cost much. However, you will still need to provide funds to purchase additional equipment, such as bird cages and seeds.
- Do you have enough time to play, sing, and talk to your pet birds?
- Will the sound of this bird disturb your family or neighbors? Most families can adjust to the presence of the love bird. In addition, living with this bird is not difficult.
- Who will take care of it as long as the bird is kept in your house?
Step 2. If the answer to these questions is “yes”, or you know the answers to these questions, you are ready to choose a love bird
Look for a trusted breeder or pet store. Check the health warranty when you buy a love bird in case it catches a disease at any time.
Method 2 of 4: Preparing the Birdcage
Step 1. Buy a cage for your pet bird
The cage purchased must be (minimum) 60 – 80 centimeters long, with two or more perches. The perch installed must be small enough to support the bird's feet.
Prepare at least three perches of different lengths
Step 2. Provide lots of toys to enrich his life
Change toys for the love bird every three or four days (toys are used interchangeably).
- Ladders, swings, and bamboo rings are favorite toys for love birds.
- Always make sure the toys you give are made specifically for birds as there are many objects that are actually toxic to birds. Keep in mind that love birds love to nibble on things.
Step 3. Keep the cage clean at all times
Clean the cage at least once a week. In addition, change drinking water for the love bird every day.
Method 3 of 4: Feeding Birds
Step 1. Provide food for love birds
The type of food recommended is a mixed grain product which is formulated and recommended for love birds.
Step 2. Provide nutritious food
In order for birds to stay healthy, love birds need nutritious foods at every meal. Therefore, provide healthy fresh snacks three or four times a week. Love birds also love fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, bananas, papayas, and melons. You can also give whole wheat bread, but don't give foods that contain a lot of fat, salt, and sugar.
Always remove any uneaten food residue from the cage within 12 hours
Method 4 of 4: Keeping Birds Healthy
Step 1. Take your bird to the vet annually
Love birds should get a health check at the vet once a year. Follow the doctor's advice regarding any health problems that may arise.
Tips
- If your bird is sick, take him to the vet immediately.
- When your bird is frightened or stressed, try to find out what's causing the stress. Keep sources of stress (including humans) away from love birds. It's possible that your bird feels distressed at the sight of a hat, a certain color, a pattern on clothing, or another object. There are a lot of things that might depress him.
- Always keep new lovebirds in separate cages until you are sure that the two of them can interact well. Otherwise, there will likely be bloodshed (literally) in your aviary.
- You should not allow children to touch the bird as this can irritate him.
Warning
- Make sure you don't cook in a Teflon pan at home because the fumes from a Teflon pan can kill birds.
- Lovebirds are very small, so make sure you are aware of their presence if they are allowed to play on the floor or chairs. Be careful when you walk or sit because lovebirds can bite your toes if you almost step on them or kick them.
- Lovebirds "love" to bite so be careful.
