Rose-cheeked lovebirds content. Interregional public organization "Zoological Society". Brief information about lovebirds

Now, as I write these lines, the ringing and very optimistic voice of my pet, a rosy-cheeked lovebird named Kiwi, is coming from the cage in my hallway. Sometimes I learn to live from him, because this bird never loses heart, showing activity, cheerfulness, strong character and bright personality in every situation.

Currently, these small and very interesting in their behavior parrots are often kept in captivity. In their homeland (Africa and Madagascar), they usually stay in small flocks, never flying far from water. They fly quickly, emitting a sharp loud cry during flight. Therefore, a flying flock of these parrots always makes itself felt. This is exactly how my pet behaves, rapidly moving around the room and filling it with very loud sounds. Of course, not all my guests like his screams, but they have to be patient...

Lovebirds not only fly quickly, but also climb well, skillfully using their beak and legs; They run well on the ground. These parrots feed on various berries and small seeds, which they find on the ground, in bushes and trees. Probably, their diet also contains animal food (insects and their larvae).

The most widely known myth about these wonderful birds is that the death of one of the birds in a pair supposedly entails the immediate death of the other bird “from melancholy.” In fact, this does not happen, and the surviving bird, as a rule, finds a new partner. I personally had to keep rosy-cheeked lovebirds alone for many years. These birds, taken into my house as fledglings, became completely tame and always delighted their owners with their unique behavior. It should, however, be admitted that each of these lovebirds perceived me as their chosen one (or chosen one?) and actively sought to persuade me to reproduce together. I stubbornly rejected their endless advances, which probably greatly upset my winged pets.

Lovebirds are indeed very attached to each other, but the prevailing opinion about the marital fidelity of these parrots and the tragic consequences of their separation is an exaggeration. I note, however, that, from my point of view, debunking this myth does not at all detract from the various advantages of these wonderful birds.

The “gravitation” of lovebirds towards “society” has long been noticed. It is known that they settle in the collective nests of small weaver passerine birds, and also under the roofs of houses in the nests of swallows. Lovebirds carry twigs, fragments of bark or blades of grass in a very original way, known only among parrots. They stick them into the plumage of the back or rump, and so they fly with the load “over their shoulders.” The spectacle, frankly speaking, is hilarious!

How are parental responsibilities distributed between representatives of different sexes in these birds? As it turns out, at different stages of reproduction, reproduction is not at all equal, but this does not at all disturb the harmony between the partners. The female builds the nest and incubates the eggs. The male takes care of feeding the incubating female and then the chicks. This “division of labor” turns out to be very useful, and there is probably never any disagreement about it between the birds.

Rosy-cheeked (red-cheeked) lovebirds easily reproduce in captivity. To do this, they need a nest box with a square base 20 X 20 cm, a height of 22-25 cm and an entrance in the upper part of its front wall. This structure is essentially similar to the hollow tree in which lovebirds usually lay eggs when living in the wild. The birds will make a nest inside the “hollow” themselves from torn strips of bark from linden or willow branches, which must be placed at the bottom of a large cage or enclosure where the parrots will breed. There are 2-5 white, almost round eggs in a clutch. They are well protected inside the hollow or nest box from various dangers. Apparently, this is why the chicks develop slowly (compared to birds that nest openly). After young birds become independent, they must be separated from their parents, otherwise the latter may kill them. These seemingly harmless creatures have such cruel morals! Sometimes adult lovebirds damage the legs of their chicks: they begin to grab the toes with their beaks and bite them off. Wow - parents! But let's not judge our pets from the animal world, whose behavior is often dictated by a cruel but rational instinct. Probably, young birds living in nature and driven away by their parents, at their first “demand,” would fly away to the required distance, and the aggressive actions of adults would end there. This is impossible in a cramped cage or even an enclosure. It is unlikely that in the wild these birds will cause serious injuries to each other.

Lovebirds also behave aggressively towards birds of other species kept with them in the same cage or aviary. Pink-cheeked lovebirds can injure even humans with their beaks. There were cases when they bitten guests who came to me until they bled, who carelessly stuck their finger into the cage with the “cute bird”...

However, these birds are characterized by behavior of a completely different nature. When pink-cheeked lovebirds are kept in a small flock, you can observe their tender, touching attitude towards each other. Birds, distributed in pairs, sort out each other's feathers. The male feeds the female, both birds fly to the feeder or drink water at the same time. With the onset of puberty, the male cares only for his female, not paying attention to others.

It is better to breed lovebirds in spring and autumn, when it is not yet hot, but the duration of daylight hours is sufficient and fresh greens are available in abundance. In late autumn, winter and mid-summer, it is recommended to remove nest boxes to stop egg laying and incubation of chicks. In the hot season and with low air humidity, the embryos in the eggs become very overheated and die. In winter, due to a lack of vitamins, chicks often grow weak, and death among them is observed more often.

Fortunately, this did not happen to my current pet in his fledgling years. Again I hear his sharp, piercing, but already so familiar to us all voice. Calls me to the cage; sways funny on his feet, as if he’s dancing; nods his head up and down, clearly wants to chat... I approach. I open the door. The parrot immediately sits on my hand and expresses complete bliss. However, the harmful nature of this bird suddenly manifests itself: the lovebird painfully bites my index finger. I indignantly say: “You can’t bite!” The parrot, as if apologizing, quickly nods and tries to feed my innocently injured finger with just regurgitated grain from its own beak. These are the relationships...

The bird, as I pointed out earlier, is completely tame. The reason was that I acquired this lovebird at a very young age (2.5 months), was kept alone and therefore had to be human-oriented in its behavior.

The process of the lovebird getting used to its new owner was very interesting. In the very first days in my house, the bird allowed itself to be controlled. After about a week, the lovebird began to climb onto my hand with the help of its beak and paws, lie down on my palm and cuddle up to it in anticipation of affection.

It is interesting that another lovebird of the same biological species, who lived with me earlier, behaved completely differently at the first stage of taming. At first he was quite aggressive, and when you tried to pick him up he bit hard. However, my patience and perseverance did bear fruit. After about three weeks, the young parrot was sitting on my finger without showing any signs of irritation.

These birds often climb the metal bars of the cage using their beaks and paws; They examine the various objects in it and hang on the wall of the cage with their beaks. I note that this is generally typical for parrots of different species. It is no coincidence that some jokers call them “feathered monkeys.”

When released into the room from the cage, my current pet, having described an arc in the air, sits on my head and can stay there for quite a long time, looking around or fingering the hair on the back of a person’s head. “Traveling” around the room, the bird happily turns over various light objects, sometimes dropping them on the floor. With its penchant for manipulating objects, the parrot is very reminiscent of a small, but already very active child. Therefore, a bird flying freely around the room needs careful supervision from its owner. Similar or other behavioral reactions of a parrot can be observed with great interest by anyone who keeps this peculiar bird at home. A tame lovebird very quickly wins the sympathy of all family members and becomes a favorite pet, like a cat or dog.

LITERATURE

1. Akimushkin I.I. Animal world: Birds. Fish, amphibians and reptiles. - M.: Mysl, 1995. - 325 p..

2. Gusev V.G. Animals at home: A reference guide. – M.: Ecology, 1992. – 366 p.

3. Ganzak Ya. Illustrated encyclopedia of birds / Ed. I. A. Neufeldt and P. M. Pozdnysheva. - Prague: Publishing house. Artia, 1974. – 648 p.

4. Grinev V.A. Parrots: A reference guide. – M.: Timber Industry, 1991.

5. Animal life. In 7 vols. T. 6. Birds / Ed. V.D. Ilyicheva, A.V. Mikheeva. - M., Education, 1986. – 713 p.

6. Lukina E.V. Exotic birds in our house. – L.: Ed. Leningr. Univ., 1986. – 296 p.

7. Rakhmanov A.I. Lovebirds. Overview of species. Content. Care. Treatment. – M.: AQUARIUM LTD, 2002. – 64 p.

8. Samusenko E.G. Friends of our home. - Mn.: Polymya, 1993. - 270 p.

9. Simonov B.A. Songbirds and ornamental birds. – Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 1977.

The rosy-cheeked lovebird is a domesticated bird that is small in size. The feathered pet got its name due to the fact that it cannot live without its mate. He is endowed with a wonderful friendly character and unusual beauty that attracts the attention of many people. For this reason, it is worth carefully studying its main features.

Rose-cheeked lovebirds are small birds that closely resemble bullfinches. Their habitat is Africa, the island of Madagascar. One thing worth highlighting from this is that they are accustomed to hot weather conditions.

If you pay attention to the name “lovebird,” you can note the characteristic quality of birds - they choose a mate and remain faithful to it until the end of their lives. They are true, there are legends that say that they cannot even live for one day without their mate.

It is worth highlighting the main qualities of the appearance of parrots:

• birds have a small body, on average its length is 12-15 cm;
• the weight of the bird is from 50 to 60 grams;
• they are endowed with a large head and compact body;
• their tail is short, slightly rounded towards the end;
• the bird has a strong and strong beak, which, when struck, can cause severe wounds;
• Lovebirds have short, but quite strong legs. This is what allows them to confidently climb and run through trees;
• The birds have beautiful and brightly colored plumage. The dominant color is green. The throat and cheek area are light pink, and the beak has a straw-yellow tint. The side feathers can have different colors - red, blue, orange with wide stripes of black and narrow stripes with green coloring at the tip. The feathers on the tail are colored blue.

Life in the wild

In nature, pink-cheeked lovebirds live in dry areas of the South-West of the African continent. The largest number of them is observed in Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. But they prefer to settle in places near water.

They are also found in dry savannas and sandy plains at elevations no more than 1.6 km above sea level. There is evidence that indicates that parrots were introduced and spread to the lands of Puerto Rico.

Lifestyle

Rose-cheeked lovebirds prefer to lead a sedentary lifestyle. They keep in small flocks, which usually consist of 15-20 individuals. During nesting, the flock breaks up into pairs.

Birds prefer to make nests in different places:

• in tree hollows;
• they can inhabit nests that were previously occupied by other birds;
• under the roofs of houses;
• in the crevices of the walls.

What do they eat?

In the wild, rosy-cheeked lovebirds feed on the same things as other feathered inhabitants. In this regard, they are unpretentious. Their diet includes the following types of plant components:

• berry;
• seeds;
• fruits of wild and cultivated plants;
• nuts;
• flowers.

Reproduction

In lovebirds, the female is responsible for building the nest. She shows good intelligence during this process. She carefully hides all the branches that come across her way into her tail plumage. This allows her to carry several branches at once in one flight.

After this, eggs are laid and planted:

• the female lays from 3 to 6 eggs in the nest;
• incubation takes three weeks;
• after this, young parrots with a fragile body are born;
• It takes 6 weeks for the chicks to become stronger and able to leave the nest on their own. During this time, the male takes care of them.

Keeping at home

Many people often choose a pink-cheeked lovebird parrot to keep at home. He attracts with his beauty of appearance, good-natured and sociable character. But it is worth remembering that it can show aggression towards other species of birds, sometimes it can attack and peck other feathered inhabitants.

Important! If you want to buy a pair for him, then preference should be given to birds of the same breed. He will quickly find a common language with another feathered pet, they will form a strong couple for many years.

And if you want to teach your pet human speech, then he must be alone. In these cases, he will see the owner as a friend, and will repeat all his words and actions. But at the same time, the owner must constantly pay attention to him and show care.

Arrangement of the cage

When arranging the cage, the following recommendations must be observed:

• small cages for a lovebird will be inconvenient, even though the bird is small in size, it requires a lot of space;
• for a couple, it is important that the size of the free space is 80x30x40 cm, so you need to purchase a cage with dimensions of 100x40x50 cm;
• the rods must be made of a metal base, they must be located in a horizontal position;
• the product should be purchased with a retractable bottom;
• It is recommended to lay material with good moisture absorption on the bottom surface;
• There must be a pond in the cage, because lovebirds love to swim and clean their feathers. You can also periodically spray the birds with water from a spray bottle;
• It is worth placing perches at different heights, there should be several of them;
• for games there should be ropes, bamboo rings, toys;
• In order for the pet to hide and rest, it is necessary to install a small house for sleeping.

Feeding

Since the red-cheeked parrot is an unpretentious bird, there should not be any special problems with the preparation of its diet. The menu must include the following types of food:

• various vegetables;
• fruits;
• green;
• lettuce, dandelion leaves;
• corn;
• millet;
• carrot;
• oats;
• wheat;
• sunflower seeds;
• canary seed;
• berry

In addition, it is important to follow some feeding rules:

• It is not recommended to give lovebirds sweet, salty, or spicy foods. You should not feed them cookies, pies, chips, chocolate;
• young feathered pets need to be fed often, up to 4-5 times a day;
• For adults, it is enough to feed them once a day;
• It is imperative to install a sippy cup with drinking water, which must be changed every day;
• during breeding, birds are given white bread soaked in milk or water, a boiled egg, sprouted millet or oats, grated carrots, crumbly millet porridge, cottage cheese, mealworms;
• there should be mineral stones in the cage;
• Additionally, young pets need to be fed with microelements and vitamin C.

Breeding

Reproduction of pink-cheeked lovebirds at home has some important features:

• Do not use birds under 2 years of age;
• individuals are planted in a 1:1 ratio;
• a couple should produce no more than 2 litters per year;
• Mating is recommended to be carried out in autumn and spring;
• during the breeding season, the length of daylight hours increases, and branches are placed in the cage to build a nest;
• incubation lasts 22 days;
• at the age of 55-60 days, the chicks can be removed.

Many scientists crossbreed with other species in order to create new breeds. This process requires a lot of knowledge and attention. It is better not to resort to this at home, otherwise you can harm your feathered pets.

Rufous-cheeked lovebirds are interesting birds that get along well in the wild and in captivity. When maintaining a home for pets, you should provide all the necessary conditions - arrangement of the cage, feeding, care, attention. It is worth considering that this bird loves communication, affection and care, which it definitely needs to provide.

The rosy-cheeked lovebird, also called the pink-headed lovebird, lives in Africa - Southern Angola. These parrots live in dry savannas, on plains near water sources and in highlands, up to 1600 meters in height.

Description of rosy-cheeked lovebirds

The body length of an adult is 16-17 centimeters, the wing length reaches 10 centimeters. Body weight varies between 48-60 grams. The pink-headed lovebird has a stocky body. The beak is light yellow. The iris of the eyes is dark brown. Legs are grey-green. The tail is short, slightly pointed, its length is 4.5-5.5 centimeters.

The main color of the plumage of the rosy-cheeked lovebird is grass-green. At the same time, the upper back, back of the head and crown are bright green, and the belly and chest are light green. The rump and loin are bright blue. The forehead and crown are red, the throat and cheeks are pink.

Lifestyle of rosy-cheeked lovebirds

Pink-headed lovebirds live in small flocks of 5 to 20 individuals. When the time comes to gain weight, parrots gather in numerous flocks - up to 100 individuals.

Rosy-cheeked lovebirds are active during the day, and they spend the night in empty weaver nests. They lead a sedentary lifestyle. They can climb well on vertical surfaces, using their claws and beak, and making active movements with their wings. The flight speed reaches 58 kilometers per hour.

All members of the pack communicate with each other regularly. When the temperature drops, rosy-cheeked lovebirds gather in groups of 5 individuals and warm each other. They make sounds that are a mixture of chattering and sharp screams.

The diet consists of berries, seeds, fruits, nuts, millet, grains, sunflower seeds, maize and flowers. Food is collected on the ground.

The exact lifespan of pink-headed lovebirds is unknown, but in captivity they can live up to 20 years.

Reproduction of rosy-cheeked lovebirds

The mating season occurs from February to March. During the breeding season, these parrots nest in colonies. They make nests in rocks, under the roofs of houses, tree hollows, or use the nests of weaver birds.

Whether parrots occupy abandoned nests or force their owners to abandon them is unknown. The nest is created in the form of a deep bowl, using grass, twigs, bark and leaves. The male does not help the female build the nest, but guards the nest and feeds the female during construction work.

A clutch of pink-headed lovebirds can contain from 4 to 6 white, almost round eggs. Their laying occurs at intervals of 1-2 days. The incubation period lasts 23 days. Full plumage appears in the chicks at 40 days. And at 32-38 days they can already fly out of the nest, but for another 10-14 days their parents feed them. The first moult in young birds occurs at 4-5 months; at 8 months they acquire the color of adult birds. Puberty occurs at 8-12 months.

Rosy-cheeked lovebirds and people

These parrots cause significant damage to fields of millet and other grain crops.

Over 60 color forms of pink-headed lovebirds have been bred: variegated, blue, gray, white, yellow, light brown, blue, green-olive, purple, cream, and the like. They can interbreed with masked and black-cheeked lovebirds, Fischer's and Liliana's lovebirds. The population size of pink-headed lovebirds is unknown.

Keeping rosy-cheeked lovebirds in captivity

These are one of the members of the family that are most often kept in captivity. Pink-cheeked lovebirds were first brought to Europe in 1860.

Pink-headed lovebirds are kept in rectangular or square cages. A small cage for a rosy-cheeked lovebird is not suitable - one pair should live in a house measuring 80x30x40 centimeters; when keeping a couple, choose a cage from 100x40x50 centimeters. The bars in the cage should be metal and horizontal. The bottom should slide out. Various materials are placed at the bottom that absorb moisture well.

Drinking and eating bowls are washed weekly. When dirty, clean the perches and toys. The cage needs to be disinfected once a week.

In a cage with rosy-cheeked lovebirds, there must be a pond, as these birds love to swim. You can spray lovebird feathers with a spray bottle.

At least 2 perches are hung in the cage at different heights, and ropes, toys, bamboo rings and a sleeping house are also placed.

Feeding rosy-cheeked lovebirds

The diet of these parrots consists of vegetables, fruits, greens, lettuce, dandelion, grains, millet, carrots, oats, sunflower wheat, canary seed and berries.

Pink-headed lovebirds should not be fed sweet, salty, spicy foods such as cookies, pie chips, chocolate and the like.

Young growing parrots are fed 4-5 times a day, while adults need only be given food once a day. Drinking water is a must and is changed when it gets dirty.

During the breeding season, lovebirds are fed white bread softened in milk or water, a boiled egg, sprouted oats and millet, grated carrots, crumbly wheat porridge, as well as cottage cheese and mealworms.

There should always be a mineral stone in the cage for birds, and young birds are additionally fed with microelements and vitamin C.

Taming rosy-cheeked lovebirds

Males are better tamed than females. Rosy-cheeked lovebirds love to play with various devices: ladders, bells, ropes, mirrors, paper boxes. Toys designed for small, budgies are not suitable for pink-headed lovebirds.

These parrots do not get along with other species of birds. They have a rather aggressive character, exhibit territorial behavior, and often bite during the mating season.

Breeding rosy-cheeked lovebirds

To stimulate reproduction, the length of daylight is increased, and building material is placed in the cage: branches of bushes and grass. There must also be an artificial nesting house measuring 25x20x30 centimeters. You can use a nesting house for budgies.

The incubation period for eggs lasts about 22 days. At the age of 55-60 days, young individuals can already be placed in a separate cage.

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Read in this article

Lovebirds are small, agile parrots. Bird lovers appreciate them for their bright colors and interesting behavior. Lovebirds quickly get used to people and are easy to keep.

General information about lovebirds

The homeland of lovebirds is the vast territories of South-East and South-West Africa. You can meet colorful birds in Madagascar and on several small nearby islands. They prefer to live near water, choosing the banks of rivers and lakes covered with tropical forests.

The body length of lovebirds is small - 10-17 cm, they are classified as medium-sized species of parrots. Wings and tail are short. The head is large, the body is harmonious. The appearance is interesting - the main color of the body is set off by the contrasting color of the head, neck, and chest. Many color forms have been developed.

The beak is large and massive. The bird is capable of a serious bite. The legs are short and strong. In terms of behavior, lovebirds are agile, active, and a little arrogant. It is interesting to watch these birds.

Lovebirds in nature

In the wild, lovebirds live in groups. They got their self-explanatory name because of their behavior. Parrots choose a partner and spend their entire lives together. They can often be seen sitting on a branch, closely huddled together.

Birds love to settle near bodies of water. Lovebirds are not afraid of human habitation, often raiding and ravaging farmers' fields. Parrots run quickly and, with the help of strong paws and a strong beak, climb trees.

Birds peck fruits, berries and seeds immediately on the branch; they do not take food into their paws. They fly quickly and scream a lot. They spend the night right in the trees. Nests are built in tree hollows, burrows, under roofs and in the walls of houses. The female is in charge of arranging the home. She finds blades of grass, thin twigs, strips of bark, and carries them, inserting them between the feathers on her back. This bird resembles a flying haystack.

Lovebirds treat representatives of other species with some aggression. These fast, strong and stocky parrots can injure even larger birds.

Types of lovebirds

Scientists identify 9 types of lovebirds. Their names are associated mainly with the color of the head:

• Rosy-cheeked lovebird most often kept by parrot lovers. In nature, these birds have a grass-green body, pink cheeks and throat. It reproduces well in captivity and many color forms have been bred.
• Masked lovebird has an original contrasting plumage color. It can interbreed with other species, and the offspring are of various colors: white, yellow, blue, purple.
• Fisher's lovebird Another common pet native to the vicinity of Lake Victoria. In nature it is green with an orange head. In captivity, white, yellow and blue birds are found.
• Liliana's lovebird has a brightly colored head, resembling a strawberry in color. These birds are prohibited from being exported from Zambia, so they are rare in captivity.
• Red-faced lovebird- a resident of the savannah. It is difficult to reproduce, since in nature it digs its home in termite mounds. To simulate this environment, slabs of compressed peat are placed in the enclosures.
• Black-winged lovebird comes from the mountains of Ethiopia. The largest species. Hardy, able to withstand low temperatures. Due to its more modest coloring and difficulties with reproduction, it is not common among breeders. These parrots are good-natured and cheerful, they get along with other birds, but it is difficult for them to find a mate.
• Grey-headed lovebird originally from Madagascar. It is rare in captivity due to its natural shyness.
• Black-cheeked lovebird easily reproduces in captivity. In addition to the natural one, blue and gray forms are known.
• Collared (necklace) lovebird green in color, with a black stripe on the neck and an orange chest. Lives in Central Africa. It is not found in captivity, as it lives in the crowns of old tall trees and is extremely difficult to catch.

Keeping lovebirds at home

Lovebirds are considered unpretentious birds. These parrots are loved for their beautiful colors and sociability. It is quite easy to tame a lovebird chick, especially if it was taken from the nest early and artificially fed. He can become very attached to his owner and become completely tame. An adult wild bird will retain some distrust of humans forever.

Some talented lovebirds are capable of imitating human speech. But the bird can learn no more than 10-15 words. Lovebirds are trainable and can follow simple commands. For example, flying to the owner when called. Of course, only a completely tamed bird will speak and obey its owner.

Lovebirds should not live in a small cage all the time. They need to be let out for a walk so they can stretch their wings and play. A cage is a place where birds rest, sleep and eat. Birds should not be frightened, forced to fly randomly around the room, or knock on the bars of the cage.

In the room where lovebirds are kept, it is strictly forbidden to smoke, spray aerosols, or use strong-smelling cosmetics (nail polishes, nail polish removers). The respiratory system of birds is very sensitive, they can become poisoned and die.

Parrots love to swim. Some birds do this in special bathing suits or just bowls, others in wet green leaves, and still others right under the tap. Make the bathing water slightly lukewarm. The tray, soft food feeders and drinking bowl need to be cleaned daily. Every week you need to thoroughly wash the cage and perches.

Parrot cage

These active parrots are kept in spacious enclosures or cages for medium parrots. In winter, birds should be kept indoors, and in summer, the cages can be placed on a specially equipped balcony. The birds' home should be installed in a well-lit place. However, direct sunlight should be avoided. For protection, light translucent curtains on the window will be enough. It is dangerous to place a cage on a windowsill; lovebirds are afraid of drafts.

A spacious, comfortable cage is the key to the health and well-being of lovebirds. The minimum size of the home should be such that an adult bird can easily spread its wings. A couple needs more space. It’s good if the lovebird can flit from perch to perch.

Give preference to simple geometric shapes. A good cage is rectangular, with a rounded or flat roof, elongated in length. A cage with a wooden base will not work; lovebirds will quickly render it unusable. It should be made from materials that are non-toxic to birds. Beware of copper, zinc, and lead alloys. The best option is nickel-plated, all-metal cages combined with plexiglass.

It is better to place the home approximately at eye level. This will make it easier to establish contact with your feathered pet. Often inexpensive cages are equipped with plastic perches. But they are completely unsuitable for bird paws.

It is better to immediately buy good wooden perches. You can make them yourself from ordinary twigs with a diameter of 1.5-2 cm. It can be birch, cherry, or apple tree. Avoid cutting branches from trees near busy roads. It’s better to go to the forest, a large park, or to the country. Additional perches can be rope or mineral.

The distance between the rods is up to 1.5 cm. If it is large, a curious bird will stick its head into the gap and get stuck. The door must close tightly. Place feeders, drinkers and perches so that droppings do not fall on them.

Nutrition

Lovebirds have a fast metabolism. They should eat little by little, but often. The main food is a special grain mixture for medium-sized parrots. You need to be responsible when choosing food. In a high-quality mixture, the grains are clean, shiny, there is practically no dust, there is no debris or twigs. The food should not smell damp or moldy. Do not feed lovebirds with mixtures intended for small or large parrots; they are not suitable in composition. You need to give 2-3 teaspoons of feed per bird per day.

Chalk and sepia for parrots must be secured in the cage. In addition to grain mixture, lovebirds need herbs, fruits, boiled eggs and cottage cheese. Suitable green food for lovebirds are dandelion, nettle, oats, woodlice, clover, plantain arrows, and lettuce. Green fodder should be collected away from busy highways. Be sure to cut several thin branches of fruit trees, along with leaves and buds, for your pets. There is no need to peel the bark. Greens and branches need to be washed thoroughly.

In winter, you can sprout oats and millet in pots. You can simply take a handful of regular grain mixture or purchase special food for germination. Simply sprouted grains will also be beneficial for birds. To do this, just wrap them in a wet cloth for 1-2 days.

Lovebirds happily eat various vegetables and fruits: apples, carrots, beets, citrus fruits, bananas, pineapples, pomegranates, grapes, plums, sweet peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, pumpkin, zucchini, etc. Parrots are strictly forbidden to give onions, garlic, celery, radish, tomato leaves, mango, avocado, papaya, persimmon. You cannot give food directly from the human table, nothing salty, fatty, fried, or sweet.

Occasionally, no more than once a week, offer some soft food - low-fat cottage cheese and a boiled egg. Lovebirds also eat porridge, which must be boiled until half cooked in water without salt or oil. Pearl barley, millet, buckwheat, and rice are suitable.

Lighting

Proper organization of lighting is of great importance for the health and well-being of birds. But it is lovebirds who have a particularly strong need for ultraviolet light. And successful reproduction and raising strong offspring without special lamps is almost impossible.

The light regime must also be observed. In summer, the duration of daylight hours is no more than 14 hours, in winter - no more than 12. Daylight hours should begin and end at the same time, decrease and increase gradually.

In the area of ​​the eyes, lovebirds have endocrine glands, the activity of which depends on the lighting conditions. To meet the need for ultraviolet light, you will need a lamp with parameters CRI (color index) from 90 and K (temperature coefficient) from 5000 to 5500. Lamps for reptiles, solariums and medicinal ones are not suitable. The lamp is installed at a distance of half a meter.

Pair for a lovebird

There is a myth that a lovebird dies without a mate and cannot be kept alone. This is wrong. You can only have one pet. It should be understood that a flocking bird needs constant communication, and a person is not able to play with an animal around the clock. Therefore, most owners decide to get a pair. In addition, it is extremely interesting to observe the relationships between lovebirds.

But there are still some peculiarities in the behavior of lovebirds. These parrots form stable pairs and approach the choice of a partner responsibly. If there is no mutual sympathy between the birds, then they will not mate.

Lovebirds can be aggressive towards other birds, especially during the breeding season. Therefore, the optimal solution would be to keep only one pair per cage. Conflicts within a couple are also possible. Some birds form relationships immediately, while others may quarrel and fight for years.

When choosing a couple of lovebirds, you need to know about some nuances. You cannot place a young male with an adult female; she will attack him and may even kill him. Even among people the same age, relationships may simply not work out; they will not become a couple. You should not buy birds of the same age in one place, as they may turn out to be relatives, which means they should not be allowed for breeding.

It is best to purchase a young male. Tame the bird and let it get used to you for several months. After that, buy a female. Before moving in, you must quarantine for 40 days. The new bird should be in a separate small cage in another room. Once you are sure that the female is healthy, you can begin to introduce her to the male.

Place the cages in the same room so the birds can hear each other. Then next to each other so they can see each other. After the lovebirds show mutual interest, they can be introduced on a walk. The male's cage should be larger. It is best if the female herself begins to enter his home. Each bird should have its own feeder and drinker.

Proper, gradual introduction of birds will increase the likelihood of a warm relationship between them. If you do not plan to have offspring, the couple can be same-sex.

Reproduction of lovebirds

Lovebirds are capable of In order for the offspring to be strong and the health of the couple not to deteriorate, the birds need to be prepared for breeding. To do this, eggs, cottage cheese, and sprouted grains are added to the food daily, and daylight hours are increased to 14 hours. After 2 weeks, you can install a nest box in the cage - a wooden box in which the female lovebird will build a nest.

Thin branches of birch, currant, linden, willow, apple, and cherry approximately 10 cm long are suitable for building a nest. After building the nest, the female will lay 4-6 eggs. Lovebirds incubate eggs for about 20 days. The chicks emerge from the egg naked, blind and deaf. First they are fed by the female, later by both parents. Development is happening very quickly. Ten-day-old babies are just opening their eyes, thirty-day-old babies are already covered with feathers and leave the nest in about a week. Parents feed their cubs for up to two months.

Soon after the first clutch, lovebirds begin the second. Grown-up chicks need to be moved away so that the parents can take care of the new offspring. To prevent a third clutch, daylight hours are reduced. After all the chicks emerge, the nest box is removed.

Lovebirds are a good choice for a beginner. They are easy to care for, beautiful, and easy to tame. These parrots are especially attractive for their intelligence, interesting behavior, and complex relationships within a couple.

Today there are a huge number of parrots, but the rosy-cheeked lovebird has a special place among them. The bird is distinguished by its appearance and behavior.

General information

The rosy-cheeked lovebird has tiny dimensions, reaching no more than 17 centimeters. However, it is especially popular among people due to its colorful plumage.

Most often, the individual has a green body with a red beak and forehead, although birds with a bluish tint are also found. People who actively care for parrots know that this pair prefers to live in pairs. Therefore, when making a purchase, it is important to purchase two individuals. However, few people know how to determine the sex of the rosy-cheeked lovebird.

Although for this it is enough to pay attention to the coloring of the bird. The female is characterized by brighter colors, in addition, she is much larger than the male. This means that there should be no problems with determining sexual preference.

Habitat in natural conditions

The rosy-cheeked lovebird actively lives in Namibia, South Africa and Angola. Unlike many other individuals that prefer forests, these birds easily settle in deserts. The main condition is being near water.

The rosy-cheeked lovebird prefers to stay in a flock, but during the nesting period it creates a mate. They are not at all afraid of people and can build nests next to them. Although they prefer abandoned tree hollows.

Birds easily obtain food for themselves. Their diet includes berries, seeds and cereals.

Reproduction

The nesting period is an important moment in their life. However, only the female is responsible for creating and arranging the nest. Construction proceeds efficiently and quickly, the reason for this is the unique ability of a bird to bring several branches at once in one flight.

After completing the process of making the nest, the female goes to work and lays eggs. Their number usually does not exceed 6 pieces. After which, in the next 3 weeks, the female actively incubates them, and after the required time, small chicks are born.

Immediately after birth, responsibility for the offspring falls on the male. For two months he must take care of and feed the babies. As soon as they get stronger and become independent, children leave their home.

Rosy-cheeked lovebird at home

The desire to become a bright representative of birds visits many people. Therefore, today you can quite easily buy a rosy-cheeked lovebird. However, it is worth knowing about the peculiarity of the species; they do not tolerate proximity to other birds. Therefore, a pair must consist exclusively of two individuals of the same species. Otherwise, serious conflicts may arise between birds.

It is best to keep pets in pairs. But if you want to teach him human speech, this idea should be abandoned. Otherwise, the birds will actively communicate with each other, showing no interest in human speech.

Only when alone can a bird become a good friend for a person. And there is no need to worry that the bird will die alone. If you keep him in solitary confinement from the very beginning, he will get used to it just fine. The most important condition is maximum attention from the owner. He should spend more free time with his pet.

Due to its small dimensions, there is no need to purchase a large cage. An ordinary cage in which the animal will feel comfortable and can fly will be enough.

In the cage it is necessary to install a nesting house and other important equipment - a feeder, a drinking bowl, a ladder, a perch. The little one will also like the bell and mirror.

With proper maintenance and care, birds can even be trained to talk. Of course, you shouldn’t expect poetry from it, but the bird is able to remember a few simple phrases. The most important thing is to engage with her, clearly and loudly pronouncing the necessary phrases.

Birds can become a good friend who will please their owner with 20 years of friendship, because this is exactly their life expectancy.

Nutrition

The lovebird's diet should not differ from what it is accustomed to in the wild. It should include fruits, vegetables, cereals, berries. You can also give him egg shells, which will become a source of calcium. But you should give up sweets. Such desserts can harm your pet. And provoke serious health problems.

During the nesting period, the owner must pay special attention to the animal’s diet. They must receive all the necessary nutrients.

We must not forget about regular changes of water and food, as well as disinfection. Compliance with all recommendations will allow you to avoid serious problems, ensuring a happy existence for the bird.