Lovebird Food & Care Guide – Diet Chart, Cage Setup, and Health Tips
Your complete guide to raising a happy and healthy lovebird
Hi and welcome to Parrots Cuisine! Last time I shared my experience about cockatiels, African Grey parrot, and Sun Conures. If you're planning to get one or already have one, I really suggest checking those out so you don’t repeat the mistakes I made.
Today I’ll tell you about lovebirds. They are also called Fischer’s Lovebirds or pocket parrots. These parrots are small in size, usually around 5 to 6 inches. Their bodies are round, tails are short, and their feathers are bright and colorful. Most lovebirds have green bodies, peach or orange faces, and blue on their tails or wings. They come from Africa and are known for being playful, active, and very affectionate once they bond with you.
Let me quickly introduce myself. I’m not a professional or vet. I’m just someone who truly loves birds and has been raising parrots for over 10 years. I only write about parrot food because I believe the best care starts with the best food.
My Experience with Lovebirds
I’ve always had Australian parrots. I never had any interest in lovebirds, and to be honest, I didn’t even know the difference. For years, I thought lovebirds and budgies were the same bird. Maybe you’ve thought that too. But they are completely different species.
Australian parrot is not the name of one specific bird. It’s a general term for parrots that come from Australia. This includes budgies, cockatiels, rosellas, lorikeets, and many others. Budgies, also known as Budgerigars, are native to Australia. They are small, around 18 cm, and very colorful. They are social, intelligent, and male budgies can even learn to mimic words. In the US, they’re often called parakeets.
Lovebirds, on the other hand, are from Africa. Their size is about the same as budgies, but their body is more compact and round. Their behavior is very different too. They bond deeply with their mate, or with their human if they don’t have a partner. They don’t talk like other parrots, they mostly make loud chirping sounds.
For a long time, I believed I had lovebirds, but they were actually budgies. They came in all kinds of colors and patterns. I cared for them, watched their behavior, and even bred them. I started with three budgies, and they kept multiplying through breeding. Eventually, the cage was full. Later, we gave them all to my mom’s friend and kept only the talking parrots like ringnecks and African greys.
Then last year, one of our relatives who owns a pet shop gave us a lovebird pair because my mom liked them. The pair had five tiny chicks. The male was blue and the female was green. All the chicks turned out green, none looked like their father.
Green lovebirds have a bright green body, an orange or peach-colored face, and a red or orange beak. They look fresh and vibrant. Blue lovebirds are different. They have a light blue or turquoise body, black or dark grey face, white chest, cream-colored beak, and a white ring around their eyes. Their coloring is more royal and unique. Both are beautiful in their own ways.
I was surprised that not a single chick looked like the father. When they came to my house, the chicks were just about one week old. I kept them in a partitioned cage. One side had my white ringnecks, Cherry and Marry, and the other had this lovebird family. Soon the babies started learning to eat on their own. I was already learning that birds need a balanced diet, so I gave them soft food, vegetables, and fruits. They grew up healthy. Not long after that, the pair laid eggs again and we got even more green chicks.
I kept wondering why all of them were green. Why didn’t I get any blue ones? I wanted blue chicks too. The entire cage was filled with green lovebirds. When I researched, I found out that green is a dominant gene in lovebirds, while blue is recessive. Even if the male is blue and the female is green, most of the time the chicks will still turn out green. The only way to get blue chicks is if both parents carry the blue gene.
That’s why, despite the father being blue, I still got green chicks. But this time, something special happened. In the recent batch, I finally got blue babies too. I don’t know how exactly, but they appeared, and I was so happy to see them.
As their number kept growing, the cage became too small. They couldn’t fly freely anymore. So I decided to buy a new cage, a 3-foot one with four sections. But even that didn’t work well, because there was no space for breeding boxes. I left them in that cage, but the eggs they laid next were infertile.
After that, I decided to build a proper rooftop setup for all my birds, including hens. I had a large custom cage made. One side was for pigeons and parrots, and the other side for hens, separated by a partition. I added boxes, swings, and some plants to make the environment feel more natural.
It worked. Now all my parrots, especially the lovebirds, are very happy in the rooftop cage. They don’t fight. They fly around freely. They’ve formed their own colony. What started as one pair has now become several. The chicks have grown up and made their own pairs. And yes, this time, they gave me blue chicks too.
My dream finally came true.
What should lovebirds eat every day?
Just like humans need a proper diet to stay healthy and active, birds and animals also need one. In the wild, they find their own nutrition, but as pets, they depend on us. That’s why it's our duty to care for them properly.
Lovebirds eat almost everything, and they should be given fruits, vegetables, and whatever seasonal items are available at home. Green vegetables especially are important. Soft food and mix feed are also essential. If you want to know what kind of mix feed for lovebirds is best, I’ve explained it in detail in my seed mix blog.
My daily lovebird food routine and feeding tips
Just like humans need meals two or three times a day, parrots also need food at least two to three times daily. Parrots usually sleep after sunset and wake up at sunrise, and they eat right after waking up. In the morning they need energy, so it's best to offer soft food at that time along with clean, fresh water.
It’s also important to remove food and water bowls in the evening. Parrots rarely eat at night — that's their rest time. If you want to see my full routine, I’ve shared it clearly in this blog: what do parrots eat.
How to set up a lovebird cage at home
You’ll meet many people who say a certain cage size is ideal for a specific bird, and they’re right. But to be honest, everyone’s conditions are different. Not everyone has the budget to afford ideal setups. I’ve personally kept multiple parrots in a small single cage in the past. Now I have a large setup.
When you buy a cage, just keep a few points in mind. The cage should be big enough so that the parrots can fly and move around freely. The more spacious the cage, the happier and healthier the bird will be, whether it's a lovebird or any other parrot. Just don’t overcrowd a single cage.
In my setup, the birds don’t fight because there’s enough room. But obviously, if you keep different species like African greys and lovebirds together in one cage, you can imagine what will happen. So the cage for lovebirds should be spacious, and each cage should only have one bird type, and not so many that they feel suffocated.
Easy lovebird care tips I follow every day
Honestly, when I only had parrots, I used to think taking care of them was very hard. They made a lot of mess. But ever since I started keeping hens a few months ago, I realized parrot care is actually easier. As you know, I have many parrots — ringnecks, sun conures, lovebirds, cockatiels — and each type has different behavior. But since they’re all parrots, their food and care are mostly the same.
When I kept them in cages, I used to clean everything regularly. Every weekend, I washed the cages properly, including food bowls, toys, trays, and the cage bars. Even on normal days, if I gave something juicy like watermelon, I cleaned the cage soon after. Parrots eat less and waste more, and juicy fruits attract ants and flies, especially in summer.
So it's important to clean often and always give fresh water. In hot weather, parrots also love to bathe. You can place a shallow bowl in the cage, not too deep, so they can bathe safely. If you can't do that, just spray them gently with a spray bottle once a day. In summer, it’s also important to give them electrolytes and multivitamins.
And please don’t fill one cage with too many parrots. If you do keep multiple birds in one cage, it must be very spacious. I always say — one cage per pair is best, especially if you want to breed them. Overcrowding can cause fights and stress for the birds.
What it’s really like to keep lovebirds as pets and how they behave with me
People often say parrots are disloyal. No matter how much you love them, if they get a chance, they’ll fly away. And yes, it’s true for many. But lovebirds are not like that at all.
A few months ago, when I made my rooftop setup for all my parrots, I shifted everyone there including the lovebirds. Their size is small, so one bird somehow escaped through a small gap in the cage. For three days, that lovebird stayed outside, flying near the cage. It didn’t go anywhere. I even caught it once and put it back, but it escaped again. Then I checked the cage and found a small hole at the top. That’s where it was coming out from. I closed the hole and did one more thing — I tied its partner near the cage so they could see each other.
As soon as the escaped lovebird saw its partner, it flew straight back into the cage. After that, we left them together with the rest. That day, I truly understood why they’re called lovebirds. They live together like a colony, eat together, and stay close. They even fight less than other birds. I’ve seen budgies fight many times, but not lovebirds.
They can be loud and cry if they feel alone, and yes, they make noise too. But when it comes to love and bonding, they are full of loyalty. Even when one bird got the freedom to fly in open air, it chose not to go anywhere. It stayed nearby just because its partner was inside. That’s real bonding. That’s lovebird behavior.
How long do lovebirds live and what affects their health?
Lovebirds can live 10 to 15 years, but it all depends on how you care for them. Just giving them seed mix is not enough. They need everything i l.e fruits, vegetables, soft food, and a spacious cage where they can fly around freely. A proper breeding box is also important so they can lay eggs and stay active.
One thing most people forget is sunlight. Lovebirds need natural light for calcium and vitamin D. Even if you give them a good diet, some nutrition still needs to be fulfilled with multivitamins for birds. I always keep this in mind with my parrots, especially in extreme weather.
And yes, lovebirds are not like other parrots. While some parrots can live alone and bond with humans, lovebirds need a partner. They are not meant to stay alone. They live better and longer when they are paired. Their bonding is strong, and they truly depend on each other for comfort and happiness.
If you have any questions or feedback about this blog, or if you’d like to share your own lovebird experience, feel free to email me at writersdesk81@gmail.com. I reply to every message personally and will reach you there within 24 hours.
FAQs about lovebird food, care, and cage setup
1. What is the best food for lovebirds?
Lovebirds need a balanced and varied diet. The best food includes a mix of quality seed mix, chopped vegetables like spinach and carrots, soft food like boiled egg or soaked pulses, and small portions of fruits like apple or banana. Giving only seeds is not enough — variety ensures better health, feather quality, and energy.
2. Can lovebirds eat bananas?
Yes, lovebirds can safely eat bananas in small amounts. Bananas are soft and sweet, so most lovebirds enjoy them. But since they are high in sugar, give them occasionally as a treat, not a daily food item. Always remove the peel and offer only fresh, clean pieces.
3. How many times a day should lovebirds eat?
Ideally, lovebirds should eat twice a day. Early morning is the most important feeding time, right after they wake up. That’s when their energy needs are highest. You can give soft food in the morning and seed mix or fruits in the evening. Avoid leaving wet food overnight. Always provide fresh drinking water too.
4. Can lovebirds eat sunflower seeds?
Yes, they can — but only in moderation. Sunflower seeds are high in fat and if overfed, they can cause weight gain or liver issues. Use them as a training treat or occasional snack. A balanced seed mix should have a low percentage of sunflower seeds, not as the main ingredient.
5. What fruits and vegetables can lovebirds eat?
They can eat a wide range: apples, grapes, papaya, carrots, bell peppers, spinach, cabbage, and more. Always wash them properly and chop into small pieces. Avoid avocado, chocolate, and anything salty or spicy. Rotate the items weekly to keep their diet interesting and full of nutrients.
6. Can lovebirds eat bread or biscuits?
Plain white or brown bread (without sugar or salt) can be given in very small amounts. But it’s not nutritious, so don’t make it a habit. Avoid biscuits completely — most have sugar, salt, or oil, which are harmful. Focus on natural foods like grains, pulses, and fresh produce instead.
7. What size cage is ideal for a pair of lovebirds?
A spacious cage is a must. For a pair, the cage should be at least 24 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 24 inches high. It should allow room for flying and have perches, toys, and a nest box if you plan to breed. The bigger the cage, the healthier and happier your lovebirds will be.
8. Do lovebirds need pellets or seeds?
Both are important. A healthy lovebird diet should include pellets, seed mix, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Relying only on seeds can lead to nutrient deficiencies over time.
9. How long do lovebirds live as pets?
With proper care and attention, lovebirds can live 10 to 15 years. A balanced diet, spacious cage, sunlight, and companionship are key to their long-term health and happiness.
10. Do lovebirds need a companion or can they live alone?
Lovebirds are very social birds. They need a mate to stay mentally and emotionally healthy. Unlike some parrots, they don’t bond with humans in the same way, so it’s best to keep them in pairs.