Are you planning to raise a lovebird? First of all, how much do lovebirds cost to buy one and take care of them?
The cost of lovebirds will depend on the species. When acquiring this pet, you can spend from about $20 to $1500.
Lovebirds are members of the parrot family, but they are the smaller type, ranging from 5 to 7 inches only in length and 40 to 60 grams only in weight. Lovebirds belong to the genus Agapornis, and there are nine existing species of lovebirds to choose from.
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How Much Does a Lovebird Cost?
Lovebirds are relatively affordable as pets compared to getting one of the bigger parrots, such as cockatoos and macaws, which are two of the most expensive parrots in the market.
1. Adopting ($20 – $100)
Adopting lovebirds is also an option and may cost less than buying from a breeder. The price range for adoption may go from $20 to over $100. If you purchase a mature bird that already learns several tricks and knows how to behave well, it will cost a bit more. Meanwhile, smaller birds only cost you from $20 – $50.
2. Buying from a lovebird breeder
If you are looking for a particular breed of lovebirds, you can compare the prices before deciding.
Below is a price list of the average cost of five species of lovebirds. Take a look at Fischer’s lovebird price range and other species of interest. Some breeders will charge more for rarer breeds, and prices may also vary between hand-raised and parent-fed lovebirds.
| Species | Estimated Cost |
| Rosy-faced lovebird | $50-$150 |
| Fischer’s lovebird | $50-$150 |
| Black-masked lovebird | $80-$400 |
| Abyssinian lovebird | $200 and up |
| Grey-headed lovebird | $40-$200 |
- Rosy-faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis)
This lovebird is a small native African lovebird. It is also known as the peach-faced lovebird or rosy-collared lovebird.
Both males and females look alike, with a green body and blue feathers on the rump. Their name comes from the characteristic pinkish color of their face and throat.
Rosy-faced lovebirds are one of the favorite African lovebirds chosen as pets because of their small size, and caring for them is simpler than for most parrots.
They are also easy to breed, and this type has the most variations when it comes to color mutations.
Average price: $50-$150; for rarer color mutations, expect to pay around $200.
- Fischer’s Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri)
Fischer’s lovebird was named after the German explorer Gustave Fischer whose main area of exploration was Africa, the native land of these parrot species.
These Agapornis lovebirds have predominantly green feathers on the back, wings, and chest.
The head and neck of Fischer’s lovebirds are a golden yellow to orange with a patch of olive green on the head. The beak is usually bright red. This species has a white ring around its eye or an eye ring that differentiates it from other Agapornis species.
Fischer’s love birds also exist in different color mutations that produce the blue lovebird variety of this particular species.
Birds with this genetic mutation will have blue feathers and less yellow coloring on the plumage. They can also come as white lovebirds or an Albino mutation.
Average price: $50-$150. A blue Fischer lovebird is rare, so be prepared to pay around $400 for one.
- Black-Masked Lovebird (Agapornis personatus)
This monotypic parrot is also known as the yellow-collared or masked lovebird. Like most lovebirds of the Agapornis genus, this one is also native to the African region, particularly in Tanzania.
The black-masked lovebird is a small bird with chiefly green plumage on its body, with a darker shade of green on the upper parts. The head is black in contrast to the bright yellow collar surrounding the neck and the nape area extending to the breast. The eyes are prominent because of the surrounding white eye rings.
It is important to note that this bird tends to behave aggressively towards their species. If kept in colonies, a larger cage is necessary to allow them the freedom of space.
Average cost: $80-$400, depending on the color mutation.
- Abyssinian lovebird (Agapornis taranta)
This species is also called the black-winged lovebird and is the largest lovebird of the genus Agapornis. The average length of an Abyssinian lovebird is 16cm to 16.5cm.
The male and female are sexually dimorphic. The difference in appearance only becomes noticeable after the baby lovebirds grow to the juvenile stage at around eight to nine months of age.
Both sexes come in a green plumage, but the male can be easily identified because it has a red blotch on the forehead and a red ring around its eyes.
Having these birds as pets is not common because they don’t breed well in captivity. Also, because they are rare, they are sold for a high price, and not many bird lovers can afford to keep them as pets. Most lovebirds talk, but this rare species is not a good talker.
Average price: $200 and up
- Grey headed lovebird (Agapornis canus)
The grey-headed lovebird is one of the nine species under the genus Agapornis and is the smallest among them. This species is a small parrot that exhibits sexual dimorphism.
The female has an overall green plumage, while the male has a grey coloration on the upper body with green feathers only on the lower body parts.
They are rarely bred in captivity and are more successful as feral creatures. As pets, they are generally easy to tame, but they cannot mimic human speech as most parrot species do,
Average cost:$40-$200
Other Costs when Caring for Lovebirds
Once you have your own lovebird or a pair, you are just at the beginning of your journey toward caring for them.
Along with the initial price of lovebirds on acquiring them comes more expenses, of course, for the care and maintenance of your new pet bird.
Below is a list of supplies you need to get for your bird and projected health and environmental expenses in the long run.
Lovebird Care Package
| Care Supplies | Average cost |
| Lovebird Cage | $35-$500 at Petco |
| Food and water feeders | $5-$10 |
| Bird food | $15 good for 3 months for one bird, 5lb bag of bird pellets costs around $30 at PetSmart |
| Healthcare | |
| Vaccination | $100/year |
| Visits to the Vet | $25-$100/year |
| Environment | |
| Cage Maintenance | $25/ year |
| Deodorizer | $15/year |
Tips to Save Money when Raising Lovebirds
- A cage for your lovebirds can be expensive, especially if you need a big one. To save this cost, you can build a DIY cage or bird room inside your home.
- Also, you can use natural perches for your cages, such as small branches from trees, rather than buying plastic or store-bought perches. Make sure that the branches you use are safe without chemicals.
- Birds love seeds, but seed mixes can be a bit heavy on the budget. You can give your birds fresh food such as chopped vegetables and fruits.
Organic food is healthy and cheaper than commercially bought seed mixes.
You can also breed mealworms and provide a nutritious meal for your lovebirds without breaking the bank.
- Birds like to play with toys, but it doesn’t mean you have to get them store-bought toys. You can make toys for your birds. Or, provide them with natural toys such as sticks, leaves, and pinecones as toys that will work for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lovebirds a good pet for beginners?
Lovebirds are a good place to start if you want to try having birds as pets for the first time. They are a relatively small parrot species, don’t require as much space, and are easy to take care of.
They are also not as noisy as the bigger species and are just as adorable. The range of lovebird parrot prices is also affordable, depending on what species you choose as a beginner. The common ones, such as the peach-faced lovebirds, are ideal as pets.
Where can you buy a lovebird?
You can check your animal rescue for any lovebirds up for adoption.
And no, you cannot buy lovebirds at Petco. You can get one at PetSmart since they sell live birds at your local pet store or from a reliable breeder.
What affects the price of Lovebirds?
Several factors affect a lovebirds’ price:
- Species and mutation- the rarer the breed and having a unique color mutation can make a lovebird more expensive
- Size – Bigger lovebirds, such as Abyssinians, are, of course, priced higher by breeders compared to the smaller lovebirds.
- Type of care and feeding- whether a lovebird is hand-raised or parent-fed will also affect the price.
Conclusion
Lovebirds have unique personalities. Before deciding to get one, embark on your research to know more about the kind of lovebird that suits you and the answer to this crucial and common question: how much do lovebirds cost?
Kowledge about these birds can help you make the right choice of lovebird species and be a responsible pet owner. Taking care of birds should not be based on a whim but a decision to commit to long-term bird care for your feathered pets.
George and I became friends after a birdwatching trip with our new group. And we have been enjoying every adventure together. When he told me the idea of establishing a site that shares our experiences and fun, I immediately agreed. After trials and errors, here we have Thayerbirding.
