How Long Do Lovebirds Live? Fending For Your Feathered Friend

Lovebirds belong to the genus Agapornis, which is the generic term for a tiny number of parrots in the Old World parrot related to the family Psittacidae.

Lovebirds got their name due to their friendly, loving, and affectionate personality, which, originates from the parrots' deep, monogamous mate selection and the long periods of staying together that partnered birds occupy. Lovebirds feed on and eat food such as fruits, vegetables, grasses, and grains in small groups.

Bugs and figs are also eaten by black-winged lovebirds, while black-collared lovebirds have a unique dietary demand for indigenous and native fruits, making them difficult to keep in confinement. Several species are kept in cages, and aviculture has selectively cultivated numerous colored variants. The usual lifespan of lovebirds is between 20-30 years.

Because of their proclivity to connect, lovebirds can build long-term relationships with both people and other lovebirds. They do not like to live alone and if separated from their mates or flocks, will succumb in a few days. Violence is easily provoked in lovebirds, and they may attack if people do not develop a bond through careful handling and interaction. Lovebirds could become beloved companion parrots if given enough space, a motivating environment, and proper nutrition. They adore cuddling and will frequently prey on their favorite individuals. It is recommended to acquire birds that have been bred in captivity instead of birds that have been caught in the wild. Avian polyomavirus, for example, can be found in wild birds. Wild lovebirds may also be saddened by the loss of a partner or a brood.

After reading about the lifespan of this pet bird species, check out our other articles like why do birds sing? And baby bird food.

How long do lovebirds live as pets?

Pet lovebirds often live longer than their wild relatives. Pet lovebirds, however, have no control over critical aspects of nursing care, such as the availability of fresh food and supplies, proactive veterinarian care, movement, and stimulation.

Each of these variables has the potential to have a direct impact on lifespan. Pet lovebirds have a life expectancy of 10-20 years if properly cared for. Isolation is a major issue for lovebirds. These little parrots get their common name from their habit of bonding pairs for life. Lovebirds require a companion of the same species to remain healthy and happy in confinement. The beak and nails, which are made of keratin like our fingernails, continue to grow throughout your lovebird's life. Overgrown beaks and nails can make it difficult for your bird to feed, drink, and navigate. Other significant potential wellness dangers to the lovebird in confinement include undernutrition, preventable mishaps, and environmental pollutants (such as self-cleaning furnaces and nonstick coating kitchen pans).

How long can lovebirds live in the wild?

Lovebirds are chamber inhabitants, away from humans living in cavities, nest in trees, boulders, or plants in their natural habitat. Many species nest in flocks, whilst others couple off to create nests separate from the flock.

In cities, they may depend on anything from a tree to a building fissure. Peach-faced lovebirds in Phoenix, Arizona, frequently nest amid succulents. A wild lovebird's existence is far more difficult than that of a confined one. The African environments they inhabit can be severe, and many juvenile lovebirds are unlikely to survive to maturity. Overall, we should expect a wild lovebird to survive up to five years if conditions and behavior are unfavorable, and up to 10-12 years if conditions are favorable. An abundance of food, a lack of natural predators, and access to a source of water are all important factors in determining a lovebird's lifetime in the wild.

Male Vs Female Lovebird Lifespan

Both male and female lovebirds have around the same average lifespan.

They have an average life expectancy of 20 years in captivity, and it is the same for both male lovebirds as well as female love birds. They mature at 10 months of age and then find their mates. Both live to about the same age, but on average lifespan, females are found to live longer.

Lovebird Lifespan By Species

The peach-faced lovebird, also known as the rosy-faced lovebird, Agapornis roseicollis, may live in confinement for 15-25 years on aggregate. The oldest reported surviving peach-faced lovebird, on the other hand, had a lifespan of 30 years.

The Fischer's lovebird, Agapornis fischeri, is given the name after Gustav Fischer, the man who found this species. Fischer's lovebird is one of the softest of all lovebird species and therefore can continue living in captivity for up to 20 years. Fischer's lovebird, the earliest documented pet, lived for 32 years.

Agapornis personatus, often known as the Yellow-collared lovebird or the eye-ring lovebird, is a masked lovebird. In confinement, the masked lovebird can survive for 10-20 years.

As per a historical search on parrot mortality in confinement, the red-faced lovebird, also known as the red-headed lovebird, Agapornis pullarius, has a documented maximum lifetime of 19 years.

Agapornis lilianae, Lilian's lovebird, is also known as the Nyasa lovebird. The usual average lifespan is between 10-12 years. Lilian's lovebird, kept in captivity, lived to the age of 19 years. The IUCN Red List classifies Lilian's lovebird as Near Threatened.

Agapornis nigrigenis, the Black-cheeked lovebird, is one of the species suffering significant habitat degradation in its natural region in southern Zambia. A domesticated, black-cheeked lovebird, has a life expectancy of 13 years.

Swindern's lovebird, Agapornis swindernianus, is another name for the black collared lovebird. In confinement, this lovebird species has a life expectancy of 10-15 years.

Agapornis taranta, often known as the Abyssinian lovebird, is a black-winged lovebird. A black-winged lovebird can live in captivity for an aggregate of 15 years.

Agapornis cana, the gray-headed lovebird, resides in the territory of Madagascar. As a consequence, it has earned the moniker Madagascar lovebird. The gray-headed lovebird has a life expectancy of 16 years in captivity.

What factors can influence the lifespan of a lovebird?

A nutritious diet is essential and influences in keeping your lovebird thriving, just as it is with any other creature or human. Regrettably, like with many other pet species, owners' awareness of healthy lovebird nutrition is occasionally insufficient. It's incredibly simple to take a mix of seeds and leave a dish of that out for your lovebirds every day, and this is sometimes portrayed as the domestic parrot diet.

In truth, it's a little more complex and difficult. Seeds themselves are far too oily and lack all of the proper elements a lovebird requires to survive. A domesticated lovebird also doesn't receive sufficient exercise to need constant food, unless it was something extremely low-calorie like lettuce. A lovebird in a tiny enclosure who does not go out of the cage on daily can develop factors like obesity health conditions.

Proper care and exercise are necessary for your lovebird's health and wellbeing. The respiratory systems of all birds are exceedingly delicate. To maintain the health of their lungs, the air should be all-natural. In the bird room, no cigarette smoke, no perfumes, no Teflon pan fumes, no candles, or similar objects should be used. Make sure you understand how to recognize a medical emergency in your lovebird. You ought to be able to spot clinical manifestations and know how to find a vet who treats birds. Also, it would be helpful to keep a small medical kit on hand.

How can we improve the lifespan of your lovebird?

Making sure that your lovebird is well fed, active, and doesn't have any diseases is the most important thing for your lovebird.

Good exercise and a spacious cage to fly around in is a great way to make sure that your lovebird doesn't get bored. Giving your lovebird a mate is also a great way to keep your bird healthy and in a good mood. 

As your lovebirds get older, the animal will require extra care and regular visits to the vet. Make sure you have your appointments in check. The care you give them in their later years is very crucial and mostly, this care will influence how long your pet will live.

How old is the oldest lovebird?

The lovebird is a little broad-shouldered parrot that ranges in size from 5.1-6.7 in (12.9-17.0 cm).

They have a huge bill and a circular or square tailed. Their usual life expectancy is 10-12 years, with some living considerably longer. The oldest lovebird ever documented lived for 17 years.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how long do lovebirds live, then why not take a look at how long do hummingbirds live? Or lovebird facts.