Signs of Courtship in Lovebirds

Courtship in lovebirds is the ritual of attracting another bird and beginning the path toward mating. Lovebirds are naturally close to one another during courtship, one of the main reasons why they are called "love birds." During courtship, lovebirds will go through a behavioral changes that suggests when a bird has found its mate.

  1. Feeding

    • Lovebirds feeding each other is one of the signs of courtship and pending mating. It is most often the male bird feeding the female bird; however, it is also difficult to distinguish the sex of birds. You may be able to tell based on size as males tend to be smaller. Male birds will regurgitate its food for its nesting mate prior to mating.

    Grooming

    • One of the changes in mannerisms of lovebirds who are going through courtship and mating rituals is grooming. This is one of the first signs you will notice when two lovebirds have found a mate. The lovebirds will begin to groom, clean and comb each other often as they sit and perch closely together.

    Nesting

    • The female lovebird, or hen, will begin nesting soon after courtship with a male lovebird and prior to mating. She will begin collecting and tearing up sheets of paper then tucking it underneath her wings. She will then carry the strips of paper to her nest and lay it down as a nest litter. This is another way to determine gender, as the hen does the nesting more often than not. A male lovebird will occasionally attempt the nesting behavior, but it is much less common and less successful.

    Close Proximity

    • When lovebirds find a mate, they will often remain close to one another, only leaving each other's side to collect food and nesting materials. Lovebirds will sit, perch and sleep close to each other which may tell you when courtship has begun or will begin.