Lovebird Diet

Lovebirds can be loving and intelligent pets. They are second smallest species of parrot, and they are easily trained and when they are socialized from a young age, they are very friendly toward humans. If you are thinking about keeping lovebirds as pets, it is important to know their dietary needs.

  1. Types

    • A well-balanced diet for lovebirds includes water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. In the wild, lovebirds will eat seeds, fruits, berries and leaf buds. In captivity, they should be fed seeds, fruits and vegetables.

    Alternatives

    • There are pellet diets that are available for lovebirds, but they should be thoroughly inspected for their nutritional content. The advantage offered by pellets is that they keep the lovebird from simply eating the parts of its feed that it likes and leaving the rest behind.

    Size

    • When you are feeding your lovebird a seed mix, an adult lovebird requires between 1 and 1.5 level teaspoons of seed per day. A lovebird also should have a small amount of fruits or vegetables daily if you are feeding it on seed. According to Petalia, fruits and vegetables should make up about 25 percent of the lovebird's diet. If you are feeding your lovebird a pellet diet, there will be instructions on the package regarding the daily portion. Powdered supplements may be used to amend a non-pellet diet.

    Considerations

    • In the wild, lovebirds swallow fine gravel to help digest their food. When they are being fed a pellet diet, there is some question whether this is necessary. You may choose to keep a small dish of fine gravel in the cage to give the bird that option. Avoid gravel that has charcoal in it, as this can cause the bird to stop absorbing some vitamins.

    Warning

    • Do not allow your lovebird to eat rhubarb leaves, apple seeds or avocado, as these foods are toxic to lovebirds. If you notice that your bird is plucking its own feathers or has an overgrown beak, this can be a sign that its diet is inadequate. Similarly, eye disease and epileptic seizures can develop from a poor diet.