Bringing a lovebird home requires commitment and attention. You must create a safe and happy home for them which also demands financial requirements. Other than one-time purchases, there are additional costs that you have to bear in the long run.
Based on the source from where you are purchasing a lovebird it can vary between $50 to $200. Some Lovebirds can even go pricey at $1500. Certain factors decide the price of the Lovebirds such as species, coloration, and whether they are spayed or neutered.
So let’s get to a detailed breakdown of the cost that you have to bear when you bring home a lovebird.
Source of Buying a Lovebird
There are 3 primary sources of getting a lovebird:
Free
You can get lovebirds for free by sourcing local newspapers or through online advertisements. Social media also plays a big role in finding lovebirds. You can also look for people who own Lovebirds and looking to rehome them. A community of bird lovers is one of the most reliable places from where you can get a lovebird, without looking at ads or being afraid of post-advertisement outcomes.
Adopt
You can adopt a lovebird which is a different approach than buying. You can adopt a lovebird from an animal rescue facility where they do not make much profit and you can get one for $20 to $100 depending on the type of care it was given and the length of time it was there with the shelter. Animal rescue shelters simply recover the cost they had put on taking care of the animals or developing their skills, so it will be a budget-friendly affair for you.
Buy
You can buy lovebirds based on specific species, skills, color, general disposition, etc, from reputed breeders. Here the lovebirds are around $25 to $150 and if you want to go for more specifications or purebred, then it can be as much as $1500. The price goes up as you look for a real and pure breed. The most searched species are – Peachface Lovebirds, Masked Lovebirds, Fischer’s Lovebirds, and Abyssinian Lovebirds.
Cost of Taking Care of a Lovebird
When it comes to taking care of the love bird there are some basic supplies that you need such – as a cage, a habitat cover (to give them protection from cold and sun), habitat litter, cuttlebone, nail clipper, litter scoop, toys, carrier, food and water bowl. All these supplies can be optimized to be around $600 to $700 of investment.
Health
When you have bought a lovebird, you cannot ignore health care attention for which you have to book a qualified veterinarian. All birds require periodical checkups, and it can cost around $500 to $ 1000 per year. Based on the overall health, or if it gets caught into any serious health problem the cost can get higher.
For yearly checkups, you need to spend $25 to $100 which is extracted either once or twice every year, depending on age and health condition. Based on the medication and treatment prescribed the cost will go further.
For the first year, you have to spend $100 on vaccination and they should be vaccinated while they are still young. From the next year, the cost would be reduced by $50. You have to spend $10 to $25 every year for parasite treatment and this can be done through over-the-counter medication without having to visit the veterinarian.
A lovebird, free from parasites, ensures that they are healthy and it will save you the cost of medications or other treatments. You must spend time cleaning the space and also their feathers should not accumulate dirt. Alongside, you must always have a medical emergency plan ready of around $250 to $2000 as these are upfront investments for the betterment of the bird.
Food
You have to spend $10 to $25 per month on commercial pellet food which is the main source of nutrition for the lovebird. You can also offer them a couple of tablespoons of grain, nuts, and seeds as well along with that you have to mix it up with fruits, vegetables, and celery and this would cost around $30. Remember to mince the fruits and vegetables before serving them, otherwise, it can get stuck in their throat.
Environment
You also need to spend on environmental maintenance which includes deodorizing spray or plugins, bathing supplies, toys, perch maintenance and all together it can be $50 to $200 per year. Lovebirds should be provided with enough entertainment so that they don’t get bored. You need to spend around $200 to buy them Store toys. There must be a good selection of toys, including foraging toys, climbing, noise-making, and play toys. You can also go for bird mirrors to keep them busy. Also, switch the toys every week, as they can get bored of the same toys, so you have to buy a wide variety of toys.
Based on the overall lifestyle the total cost of owning a lovebird can increase between $25 to $500. Since the love bird lives for 10 to 12 years, there are certain expenses that you need to go through over and over again.
How Can You Save Money Spent on Lovebirds?
You can make homemade toys to save your budget by using paper bags and boxes, creating toys for them to enjoy. If you are tight on budget then you can cut the cost of cleaning supplies by collecting floor covering for their cage, from outside. You can also provide them with wild seeds, nuts, and green fruits from the local area or grow foods like carrots, cabbages, and other green veggies to feed the lovebirds throughout the year. You can also create a homemade perch using tree branches or a swing from a coat hanger to save some money.
Are Lovebirds a Good Pet Choice for Beginners?
Yes, based on certain specific cases a lovebird can be a perfect choice as a beginner or a pet parent. You must choose a pet based on your situation, lifestyle, neighborhood, investment strategy, and ability to commit and take responsibility.
Here are a few things you must consider:
- Lovebirds need a companion so you cannot get just one bird, but rather a pair, so that they can interact with each other all day long.
- Lovebirds are often noisy so if you live in a close-quarter apartment you can think twice whether the neighbors are friendly and whether they would appreciate the screeching bird noise.
- You need to provide them with a cage of 4’x2’x2′ where they can fly around and stay active all day.
- The diet has to be balanced and only fresh fruits and vegetables must be fed to these birds.
Can You Buy One Lovebird?
Yes, it is possible that you can get one lobe bird for sale, but it is not the best idea. Lovebirds are quite active and social, so they need another pair to interact with otherwise, they can get bored, anxious, or even depressed. Thus, it is always recommended to bring two lovebirds.
Are Lovebirds Good Pets?
Yes, lovebirds are very popular as pets, due to their beautiful feathers and socially active nature. However, often they can seem to be loud and also known for nipping and becoming aggressive at times. They also need patience, effort, time, and interaction, so you cannot leave them alone for long. They are low-maintenance birds, but, if you have to travel most of the time or have small children at your house, lovebirds might not be the perfect pet for you.
