Ask Lafeber

Conure or Lovebird or parrotlet

Hi, I’m currently stuck at home due to COVID-19 but I and my dad have been thinking of buying a bird for a while and of course, we can’t buy one Right now but hopefully, if this pandemic ends we would like to buy a bird. We’ve had many parakeets from pet stores but the stores always sold us sick or dying birds my dad said since that always happens we would like to buy from a breeder and he’s dead set on a pacific parrotlet but I’ve always wanted a green cheek conure but because of high maintenance behavior I’ve been thinking of getting a lovebird between the three birds I just want to make sure that they could fit on our lifestyle and that based on which bird we get we can give it a happy and healthy life.

Hi Morgan,

Of the three species you listed, the conure would probably be the best option, especially if both of you want to be able to handle it. Parrots by nature tend to prefer one person, because in the wild they would only have their mate as a close companion. Green cheek conures are a very gentle species in general, and are more likely to be a family bird. A hand fed lovebird can be a good choice, but have a stronger tendency to eventually choose just one person to like. Some species of lovebirds, and even some mutations, can be gentler than others. The lutino and the dutch blue mutations of peach faced lovebirds are generally very good pets when hand fed. Most of the Masked and the Fischer’s lovebird are usually the more gentle species. Parrotlets are very cute, but they have the temperament of a large parrot and tend to be one person birds. They are more likely to get territorial and start biting than the conure. Female lovebirds are also prone to this type behavior.  Keep doing your research and when the time comes, try tot find a reputable breeder or breeders in your area.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda