Many bird lovers are inclined to adopt lovebirds because they are one of the most beautiful bird species. In most cases, people keep them in pairs, but what happens if you want to keep them together with a different bird type? One common concern among keepers is whether lovebirds can live well with other birds outside their species.
So, what birds can live with lovebirds? Lovebirds are generally aggressive to other birds; therefore, it is best to let them live with their kind. It is only in rare circumstances that they will bond with budgies, cockatiels, or other birds. In most cases, they tend to become hostile and attack the other bird in the name of defending their territory. To be safe, you can keep the two birds in separate enclosures to prevent any confrontations.
Many myths surround the keeping of lovebirds; thus, you need factual information before you can let them mingle with other birds. Read on for the ultimate guide on the best species to match them with and how to go about it.
Do Lovebirds Live Well With Other Bird Species?
One issue among pet owners is whether lovebirds can live amicably with other birds. You wouldn’t want to end up with casualties in the process of building a large bird family. Let’s find out whether it is a good idea to mix parrot species.
You can have lovebirds with other birds in the same household, but it is advisable to keep them in different enclosures. Lovebirds are primarily hostile to other birds and are not very social with different species. There are reported cases where they have brutally maimed or killed other birds in the enclosure regardless of the other bird’s size.
Birds tend to fight when in the same cage. Hence, it is wise to separate them and only let them socialize under your watch. This will give you enough time to react in case anything happens. Even when the other bird is giant, say a conure, it is risky to trust them with lovebirds.
Unless the birds have a strong bond, it is advisable not to mix different species. In rare individual cases, lovebirds can bond with budgies or cockatiels, but only if you raise them together in one aviary. However, a problem arises during breeding, as they tend to be aggressive to each other.
The best way to keep lovebirds is in pairs, with another of the same kind. If not, you have to house them in different cages and only let them out in your presence. Even when the enclosure is big enough for everyone, it is still risky to mix bird species.
Can You Put a Lovebird and a Parakeet Together?
Some parrot keepers love having more than one bird, with some opting to house different species. They would argue that since the two are still parrots, it is safe to keep them in the same cage. Unfortunately, it does not always apply because not all parrot species are compatible.
Lovebirds and parakeets don’t always get along when you place them together. If one of them is more prominent, it can frequently bully the other, and a bloody fight may ensue. Lovebirds tend to put up a spirited battle even when dealing with larger birds. Therefore, it is likely to go both ways if the parakeet is bigger.
Lovebirds have strong beaks; consequently, it is possible to keep them together with smaller parakeets. When they are both young, raising them still doesn’t guarantee peace because the older they get, the more hostile they will become to each other.
Instinctively, birds are territorial creatures, and they always show their feelings when they are angry or jealous. Both birds will believe that the other is infiltrating their territory, which leads to lashing out and frequent and deadly confrontations.
Compared to lovebirds, parakeets are more social and find it easy to live with others. As long as they get ample space to live and play in, they will be comfortable even in the presence of another bird species. They get along with other parakeets, cockatiels, and conures, but not so much with lovebirds.
However, it is possible to have parakeets and lovebirds in the same household, provided that they both have enough space and food. You can also occasionally let them play together as long as you are present to intervene in case of anything.
Can Lovebirds and Budgies Live Together?
One fact about lovebirds is that they are hostile with other bird species, making it taxing, if not impossible, to live in harmony with another bird, unless it is with their kind. Is the case the same with budgerigars?
Budgies and lovebirds should be kept in separate enclosures. Lovebirds are naturally dominant bird species, and aggression is one way to communicate with other birds. Housing a budgie and a lovebird together can be fatal since they will constantly attack each other. They will both act on instinct to defend themselves and their territory.
The good thing is that if the two have been together from a young age, their propensity to attack each other will significantly reduce. Similarly, if you keep them as adults with their cages close, they can establish a particular bond and learn to live together amicably.
From being hatchlings, lovebirds develop body language in the form of aggression, which is their only way of establishing dominance. As they grow, they develop ways to deal with this behavior even from other birds. Consequently, the budgies are always on the receiving end of this behavior. They cannot stand up against such hostile birds with their sharp beaks, and the situation is worse if the lovebirds are bigger.
Therefore, if you have to keep them both, it is wise to keep them separated to avoid any clashes. You might be lucky if the two talk to each other, but it is necessary to avoid letting them socialize for both their safety.
Can Lovebirds and Budgies Mate?
It is common for birds to interbreed with different species. Experts, however, do not recommend it as it leads to offspring with reduced characteristics of the parent breeds. Since various species can interbreed, we went on to find out whether a lovebird and a budgie can bond and mate.
It is unheard of and impossible for a budgie to mate with a lovebird. The first reason is that the two species rarely get along if in the same enclosure. They will end up attacking each other, even if you try to mate them. The lovebirds are aggressive, and any will likely scare off the budgies.
Secondly, they are from different families, making it difficult to produce viable offspring. Their origins are far apart, meaning the female cannot lay fertilized eggs even if they mate. The result will be eggs that will never hatch.
Furthermore, female birds are brilliant enough to realize that the male is not from the same species. To ensure that they don’t lay unfertilized eggs, they have to be picky with their partners. It is unlikely for a budgie to let a lovebird mate with it, and the same applies to lovebirds.
Can Lovebirds and Finches Live Together in The Same Cage?
Finches are famous for being gentle and social, even with other bird species. They have no issues sharing and will gladly allow another bird to live in their territory. However, the case may be different with lovebirds.
Finches and lovebirds are not compatible with each other. First, there is a vast size difference between them, as lovebirds are generally bigger. Given that finches are friendlier, the lovebirds always win when they fight. Hence, keeping them together will be fatal for the finch. Similarly, if you keep them together, they may collide when flying in the cage, especially when they get frightened. Undoubtedly, the finch will be the casualty in such a case.
The lovebird’s nature does not blend with the finch because they are aggressive and hostile with other species. Thus, the only way to go is to keep them in separate cages and only let them mingle when you are around.
Even when you succeed in housing them together, you will still incur many costs because the two eat different types of food. Therefore, you need to consider whether them cohabiting is worth the risk and extra cost.
Finally
Instinctively, lovebirds are territorial, and anyone trying to invade their space will be in for trouble. They are colossal parrots and have strong beaks, enabling them to put up a spirited fight during battles. Therefore, it is tasking to place them in the same enclosure with other bird species because they are likely to attack and injure the other bird in the process. In some incidences, owners have reported that they have incapacitated or killed the other bird.
It is only in isolated cases where they lived peacefully with birds like budgies and cockatiels. Even when they live amicably, birds tend to collide with each other mid-flight when they get frightened. Consequently, the lovebirds may hurt the other bird in the process. If you must keep them together, the best way to go is to put them in different cages because otherwise, there may be casualties.
