Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 4/28/2007

Question
im planing on get lovebirds the pet store that i went to yesterday had
only 3 black masked ones would i be ok to get 3 or would two bond and
the other one will be ignored? and i also just got a fake tree would it be ok for them to play on it or would they try to eat it or somthing
thank youuu


Answer
Hi, Andrew.

If you want a pet lovebird, buy only 1 of them.  In fact, if you want a tame bird you can handle, purchase a just-weaned, handfed baby lovie from a reputable breeder.  I'll bet these lovies you are planning on buying are not tame, and it's a great big job to try and tame an untame parrot.  I would not recommend buying 3 lovebirds...stay with 2 (if you want to buy more than 1).  Lovebirds don't have to be bought in pairs.  Birds prefer other birds to humans, so if you don't want to be able to handle the 2 lovebirds, then it would be OK to buy 2.  However, keep in mind that if you buy 2 and 1 is female and the other male, chances are good that they will eventually bond and produce offspring.

As far as the fake tree goes, they will definitely chew it up (and anything else they can get hold of)!  However, you need to find out if the tree (stuff it's made out of) is toxic or not for birds before you let them play (chew) on it.  If you can't determine this, I would not recommend you let them play on it.  Lots of things are toxic to birds, so you need to "bird proof" your home if you plan on letting a bird free-flight in your home.

Chrys