Are you stuck in the middle of deciding which bird to buy – a Parakeet or a lovebird? Well, do not worry, as I have created this guide, Parakeet Vs Lovebird, so that you can come to a knowledgeable conclusion and make the decision based on which bird suits you best.
When you study the world of birds, you’ll want to know more about the differences between lovebirds and parakeets.
These two varieties of birds are well-known as popular pets all around the world. However, before becoming a pet parent, you should take the time to understand what each breed is all about, what distinguishes them, and how this may affect your interactions with them at home.
For those looking for the greatest fit for their requirements, here is a full comparison of parakeets and lovebirds.
Table of Contents
Parakeet -Appearance, Care, Lifespan
Appearance
These are essentially tiny to medium-sized parrots. They are mostly granivores and have long tails. Their plumage is anything from simple, and it is sometimes beautifully colored in tones of green, blue, yellow, or orange.
Some animals, such as albino, have been bred to exhibit fancy and uncommon colorations. An albino is not merely a white bird; it is a bird that lacks normal pigmentation and frequently has pink eyes.
The Males and the females are distinguished by the cere’s color, which is a patch of flesh on the top of the upper bill. The female has a brown one, whereas the male has a blue one.
Lifespan
A parakeet may survive in captivity for 6 to 12 years on average. This figure, of course, is dependent on the sort of care you provide for your bird.
The longevity is also affected by the bird’s overall health, ancestry, the type of nutrition and activity it receives, and so on. Budgies live an average of 15-20 years in the wild.
How long do parakeets live is a typical question for individuals who want to keep parakeets (or keets as they are affectionately called) as pets. After all, understanding the longevity of your pet bird is critical for determining whether it is a good fit for your lifestyle.
This knowledge may also assist you in providing the finest care for your bird so that your bird buddy can live a long and healthy life.
The difference in life expectancy of a parakeet in the wild versus in captivity may surprise you and cause you to reconsider adopting one. Of course, how long they live in captivity depends on you and how well you care for your parakeet.
Parakeets have been reported to have a long and happy life in the wild, lasting 15 to 20 years. Which may be an eternity in bird years compared to the ten or so years they are projected to survive in captivity.
A Parakeet in captivity may easily survive for 10-15 years longer than predicted with proper nutrition and activity. One of the primary reasons wild parakeets live such long lives is that they are free to fly around and get lots of physical activity.
Captive parakeets do not have quite the same amount of space to move about and exercise regularly. Obesity can result from this, reducing a parakeet’s life expectancy significantly.
As a result, it’s critical to equip your parakeet with the largest cage possible, given your financial and living space constraints. This, along with providing lots of stuff for them to play with and interact with, will keep them occupied, happy, and pleased.
Care
Parakeets are an excellent choice for a pet bird since they are low-maintenance, sociable, and ideal for beginners. A parakeet is an excellent solitary pet since it is personable and will form a close attachment with its owner.
However, because parakeets are particularly gregarious tiny birds, they should be maintained in pairs. This will also keep them engaged and pleased while you are away.
While parakeets are renowned as starting birds that are simple to care for, keeping a parrot is still a big responsibility that should not be underestimated.
Although parrots are less demanding than larger birds, they nevertheless require as much attention and care as possible.
Commercial pellets with supplementary seed mixes and occasional fruit and vegetables are the ideal diet for parakeets. While this should cover all of their dietary needs, they will benefit immensely from vitamin and calcium supplements as well.
If given a balanced, wholesome, and varied diet, they are extremely healthy birds with minimal health concerns.
Parakeets will require a cage at least 2424 inches in length, but the larger it is, the better it will be for the bird. Furthermore, the more amount of time they spend outside, the better it is for their health.
They enjoy bathing, so give them a tiny bath every now and then to keep them cool, clean, and engaged. Beginning around six months of age, parakeets molt and are known to be fairly moody and snappy during this time.
Lovebird -Appearance, Care, Lifespan
Appearance
Lovebirds are little African parrots called by their loving, strong, monogamous pair bonding with their chosen spouse. However, the general public believes that lovebirds are bound for life; however, “divorces” can occur in proven incompatibility circumstances.
Nonetheless, committed couples spend long hours of the day and night curled up together, preening and feeding each other. They look like tiny, stocky parrots, with a short, blunt tail and a huge, hooked upper beak.
Those seen in the wild are usually green with a range of colors on their top bodies, depending on the species.
Some lovebird species, such as the Black-masked, Fischer’s, Black-cheeked, and yellow-collared, have a white ring around the eye; however various color variations have been generated in captivity.
They are roughly 5 – 7.5 inches (13 – 19 cm) long and weigh 1.5 to 2.5 ounces (40 – 70 grams), making them one of the world’s tiniest parrots. The Peach-faced lovebird is the biggest, weighing between 50 and 60 grams.
Even though Abyssinians are slightly longer than Peach-faces, they are often thinner, whilst Peach-faces are typically heavier.
Males and females of most lovebird species appear identical, and DNA sexing may be the only definite way of determining their gender (or surgical sexing).
When they reach adulthood (about one year old), there may be behavioral clues such as shredding paper and putting the paper strips into its feathers (primarily female habit – though some males do it as well) or regurgitating for its owners (male behavior as the male typically feeds the nesting female)
Lifespan
Experts generally agree that the average lifespan of wild lovebirds is lower than the longevity of captive lovebirds.
The shorter lifetime might not apply in all circumstances. However, factors such as a lack of food or water, predation, unexpected weather patterns, and changes to the natural areas (due to agriculture or commercial development) can all influence the lifespan of wild lovebirds. A lovebird may survive for 5 to 15 years in the wild.
Captive lovebirds often live longer than their wild counterparts. On the other hand, Pet lovebirds have no control over critical elements of their health, such as availability of clean food and water, preventative veterinarian treatment, exercise, and enrichment.
Each of these elements has the potential to influence lifespan directly. Pet lovebirds have a life expectancy of 10 to 20 years if properly cared for.
Loneliness is a major concern for lovebirds. These little parrots get their popular name from their habit of pairing for life! These birds require a companion of the same species to remain healthy and happy in captivity.
If you don’t want to produce lovebirds, the best alternative is a male-male pair because two female lovebirds might turn antagonistic to one another as adults. Regular beak and nail cutting can also help your lovebirds’ general health.
The beak and nails, which are comprised of keratin like our own fingernails, continue to develop throughout your lovebird’s life. Overgrown beaks and nails can make it problematic for your bird friend to feed, drink, and navigate.
Other important possible health hazards to the lovebird in captivity are nutritional inadequacies, avoidable mishaps, and environmental contaminants (particularly self-cleaning ovens and Teflon frying pans).
Care
Lovebirds, like other birds, enjoy exercise and require the largest cage that your money and room allow. Lovebirds that are confined to a small cage and never given any freedom develop neuroses and may acquire self-mutilating tendencies.
Toys are essential for these energetic parrots. Keep in mind that lovebirds are voracious chewers, so select toys that can withstand gnawing without becoming a choking danger.
A lovebird may survive for 12 to 15 years or more if properly cared for and fed a well-balanced diet. Balance is the key to good nutrition for lovebirds, as it is for other birds.
A well-balanced diet includes the following nutritional classes: water, protein, carbs and fiber, fats, minerals, and vitamins.
A diet based only on seeds is a prescription for malnutrition, and malnutrition is the root cause of many nutrition-related diseases.
Formulated meals that provide the vital nutrients and do not allow a bird to choose through and eat only the pieces he wants are the finest lovebird feeding option.
Variety is also crucial for birds, so include bird-safe vegetables, fruit, and even nutritious table items to planned meals (minus any sauces or seasoning). Learn which foods to avoid, and if you have any concerns, always see your veterinarian before feeding your lovebird.
Are Lovebirds Louder Than Parakeets?
Both have a variety of noises, ranging from low-pitched cooing to high-pitched squawks. On the other hand, lovebirds are often noisier because they emit sharper screeches than parakeets.
And, because lovebirds are more gregarious, you have a higher chance if you can put up with the frequent screeches.
Are Parakeets Friendlier Than Lovebirds?
Both parakeets and lovebirds are nice pets, but lovebirds are more inviting and gregarious. Lovebirds are also simpler to teach and bond with because of their extroverted personality.
Can Lovebirds And Parakeets Live Together?
Lovebirds and parakeets do not get along when living in the same cage unless you buy them at a young age and keep them in different cages at first.
A lovebird is naturally more aggressive and powerful than a parakeet. It is also fiercely territorial, and as a result, a parakeet with a stronger beak and body might physically injure it.
However, there is a potential that you can correctly educate these two birds to live together if you buy them when they are very young and maintain them in close proximity but different cages for at least a year.
In this manner, they will gradually connect with each other, and perhaps, you will be able to leave them together in the same cage without worrying about your parakeet’s safety.
Similarities and differences between budgie and lovebirds
Similarities
A sassy personality
Both have little statures. They’re both quick. They should be handled on a regular basis to maintain their tameness. They enjoy receiving affection and attention. Both demonstrate affection and dedication to their owners; yet, this can lead to jealousy.
They are both intelligent in addition to being fiery. Lovebirds can find out how to open their cages and release themselves. They are also arrogant. Due to dominance concerns, both dislike being housed with others.
Activity
They are acrobatic, inquisitive, and lively. They adore their toys. They hang around on the shoulder before hiding in a pocket or someone’s hair. It is thought that they are large birds imprisoned in little bodies. They like swings.
Various Species
Both have three species that are widely kept as pets. There are three types of lovebirds: masked, Fischer’s, and peach-faced, and three types of parakeets: pacific, spectacle, and green-rumped.
The peach-faced lovebird is a lovely pet that comes in various colors. Pacific parakeets are also available in a variety of mutations. They are obstinate and fierce but devoted to their owners.
Differences
Size
The most widely kept parrotlets range in size from 3 to 5.5 inches. They range in weight from 18 to 28 grams. Meanwhile, the lovebirds range in size from 5 to 6 inches and weigh between 35 and 55 grams. Parrotlets are smaller than lovebirds, even though they are both little.
Dimorphism of the sexes
Lovebirds do not have sexual dimorphism. It signifies that both sexes have the same appearance. Parrotlets, on the other hand, distinguish between males and females.
Verbalizations
Lovebirds have a high-pitched screech, but parrotlets chirp gently and cannot squawk. Parrotlets can communicate. They are inconspicuous members. They spend their days quietly peeking.
Lovebirds are known to mimic sounds or to speak only infrequently. Sweetly rubbing and preening lovebirds.
Nesting Habits
A female peach-faced lovebird shreds everything, while the parrotlet does not.
Bathing and feeding
Because parrotlets consume more calories while they are active, they should be fed more. Lovebird, on the other hand, requires further bathing. They adore misters and tiny bowls of water.
Housing
Lovebirds prefer to live in pairs. They get comfortable when they are needed in pairs. Parrotlets will be relieved to be left alone.
Life Expectancy
Lovebirds live longer than parrotlets. Lovebirds have a lifespan of 15-20 years, whereas parrotlets have a lifespan of 20-30 years.
Cost
Lovebirds are less costly, although parrotlets are more expensive.
Do budgie birds need friends?
Budgies do require at least one partner. Keeping only one budgie increases the likelihood of your bird being lonely. Budgies, in particular, require companionship if they are left home alone for a portion of the day when you are not around.
It would be incorrect to argue that lovebirds or budgies are superior to one another. Given the correct environment, both are great and loving pets, and there are strong opponents on both sides of the debate.
When you have a deep relationship with them, you will be willing to go to any length for them, and, as previously stated, you will want to retain them forever.
In general, it appears that budgies have a tiny advantage, and this is simply due to their style of life. However, it is ideal to speak with your local pet shop and learn a lot about both species separately. Then you’ll know for sure which one is the greatest pet for you.
Whatever option you make, I wish you joy, laughter, and love with your new companion!
FAQs
Are lovebirds the same as parakeets?
Many people mistake parakeets and lovebirds for the same species of bird. Parakeets, on the other hand, are not lovebirds. Despite the fact that they are both parrot kinds, parakeets have longer tail feathers and thinner bodies than lovebirds, which have shorter and more blunt tail feathers and stocky bodies. Furthermore, the only natural color for parakeets (also known as budgerigars) is green.
Can parakeets eat strawberries?
Yes, Parakeets can eat strawberries. As long as they are properly fed, parakeets may consume a wide range of human foods. Strawberries that have been chopped into little pieces are okay to feed to your pet birds. Although parakeets do not have a sweet appetite, it is simple to overfeed them on sweet foods.
Can parakeets eat celery?
They can not only consume celery, but they will profit immensely from it as well! Everything from the high water content to the vitamins A, C, and K and potassium and folate! Celery is an excellent nutritious snack for your budgie to consume on occasion!
