Complete Lovebirds Buying Guide: Species, Colors, Cost and Care

Lovebirds are one of the most popular small parrots in the world, and for good reason. In a 6 inch package they pack the colour, personality and intelligence of birds three times their size. This guide walks through everything you actually need to know before buying one: which species and colour mutations are commonly available, how much a hand raised lovebird should cost, whether you should get one bird or a pair, and what the first year of ownership actually looks like.

The three lovebird species you will find for sale

There are nine species in the Agapornis genus, but only three are commonly available in the United States pet trade.

Peach Faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis). Also called the Rosy Faced Lovebird. This is the most common species, and by far the most varied in colour. They are around 6 inches long, sturdy, easy to breed, and available in more than 15 recognized colour mutations. The classic normal bird is bright green with a rosy peach face and a blue rump.

Fischer’s Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri). Slightly smaller and more slender than Peach Faced. Fischer’s are recognizable by the distinctive white ring around each eye. Their natural colouring is a green body with an orange face fading to yellow at the chest. Fischer’s have fewer colour mutations than Peach Faced but are often described as slightly more energetic and vocal.

Masked Lovebird (Agapornis personatus). Also called the Yellow Collared Lovebird. The signature look is a solid black head, white eye ring, red beak and a yellow collar around a green body. Blue Masked lovebirds are one of the most popular colour mutations in this species.

If you are looking at available lovebirds at Mo’s Birds, we will always tell you exactly which species you are looking at and its colour mutation.

Lovebird colour mutations, explained simply

A colour mutation is a genetic variation that changes the base colour of the bird. Peach Faced lovebirds are the most heavily mutated species, with breeders producing everything from creamy white lutinos to deep violet birds. Common mutations you will see for sale include:

• Lutino (yellow body, red face, red eyes)
• Dutch Blue (blue body, white face)
• Whiteface (pale creamy face rather than peach)
• Pied (patches of yellow on a green or blue body)
• Cinnamon (softer brown grey base tone)
• Violet (deep violet blue rump on a blue or green body)

Mutation birds usually cost slightly more than the classic green normal, but the price gap is smaller than in most other species. Rare combined mutations, such as violet Fischer’s, may command a premium.

What should a hand raised lovebird cost in 2026?

Prices vary by breeder, species and colour mutation. As a general guide, expect:

• Classic green normals: $80 to $200
• Common colour mutations (lutino, Dutch blue, pied): $150 to $300
• Rare colour mutations or combined mutations: $250 to $500

Anything under $60 for a supposed hand raised lovebird is almost certainly a red flag. Real hand rearing costs the breeder time and formula, and the market does not support prices that low from a legitimate aviary. If you are wondering how to tell a real breeder from a scam, we cover this in detail in our how to choose a reputable parrot breeder guide.

One lovebird or a pair?

This is the single most common question new lovebird buyers ask. There is a persistent myth that lovebirds will die of loneliness if kept alone. This is not true. It comes from a misunderstanding of the species name and its wild flock behaviour.

The reality is:

One hand raised lovebird with daily human contact will bond strongly to its human. It will step up, sit on your shoulder, follow you around the house, and behave like a proper companion parrot. This is the right choice if you want a pet you can interact with.

A pair of hand raised lovebirds housed together will bond primarily with each other. They will be less interested in stepping up, harder to train, and much noisier because they call to each other constantly. This is the right choice if you want to enjoy their behaviour visually without needing daily interaction.

Neither choice is wrong. Just decide what you actually want from your bird before you buy.

What lovebirds need at home

Cage size. Minimum 18 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 24 inches tall for one bird, larger for a pair. Bar spacing no wider than half an inch to prevent escapes.

Diet. A high quality small parrot pellet as the base, plus daily fresh vegetables (leafy greens, carrot, bell pepper, broccoli), occasional fruit, and a limited seed mix as a treat. All seed diets shorten lifespan and cause fatty liver disease.

Out of cage time. At least 2 hours per day in a bird proofed room. Lovebirds are active and need to fly and climb.

Bathing. Offer a shallow dish of water two or three times a week. Most lovebirds love to bathe.

Sleep. 10 to 12 hours of dark, quiet sleep per night. Cover the cage or move it to a dark room in the evening.

Are lovebirds noisy?

Lovebirds are chatterers. They are not screamers like a Sun Conure or a Cockatoo, but they will make cheerful high pitched contact calls throughout the day. If you work from home and take calls, expect your lovebird to want to join every conversation.

A single lovebird is significantly quieter than a pair. If noise is your biggest concern in a small parrot, consider a Green Cheek Conure or a Cockatiel instead. For the full noise comparison, see our guide are Green Cheek Conures loud.

How long do lovebirds live?

A well cared for lovebird lives 15 to 20 years. Poor diet, particularly all seed feeding, is the number one factor that cuts lovebird lifespan short. If you want the full lifespan picture across parrot species, our how long do parrots live guide has the numbers.

Shipping a lovebird

Because lovebirds are small and hardy, they ship well via professional live cargo services. At Mo’s Birds we ship nationwide via Delta Cargo. You collect your bird from your nearest Delta Cargo facility, usually within 12 to 24 hours of the flight leaving Los Angeles. Full details are on our shipping page.

Ready to bring home a lovebird?

Every lovebird raised at Mo’s Birds is hand fed from around two weeks of age, fully weaned before it leaves, and comes with lifetime owner support. To see currently available colour mutations, visit our lovebirds category page or contact Mo directly for photos and video of any specific bird.

Frequently asked questions

Which lovebird species is the friendliest?

Peach Faced Lovebirds are usually considered the most consistently friendly, especially when hand raised. Fischer’s are slightly more energetic and can be more territorial. Masked lovebirds sit in the middle.

Can I keep a lovebird with a budgie?

No. Lovebirds are territorial and can seriously injure or kill a budgie. Never cage different small parrot species together.

How do you tell a male from a female lovebird?

Visually you often cannot. There are behavioural clues (females are usually stouter, more nest oriented, and more prone to nipping) but reliable identification requires DNA sexing. All Mo’s Birds lovebirds are available with DNA sexing.

Do lovebirds talk?

Some lovebirds learn a few words or sounds, but they are not reliable talkers like African Greys or Amazons. Do not choose a lovebird primarily for speech.

Are lovebirds good for kids?

Yes, with supervision. Lovebirds can nip when overhandled, and their small size means they are fragile. Older children (10 plus) who have been taught proper handling do well with a hand raised lovebird.