Lovebirds for Sale: Species, Colors and Buyer Checklist (2026)

Lovebirds are the most affordable true parrots in the US pet trade and one of the most searched. They pack an outsized personality into a 5 to 6 inch body, come in a rainbow of colour mutations, and cost a fraction of what a conure or macaw does. But “lovebirds for sale” hides some real decisions: three different species, dozens of colour mutations, and a big gap between a properly hand raised baby and a cheap parent raised bird that will take months to tame. This guide walks you through all of it.

What is a lovebird?

Lovebirds are small African parrots in the genus Agapornis, named for the strong pair bonds they form. They are bold, active, curious, and surprisingly feisty for their size. Despite the romantic name, a single lovebird kept as a pet does not need a partner to be happy; a hand raised single lovebird bonds deeply with its human and often makes a better tame pet than a bonded pair, which tends to bond to each other instead of you.

The three lovebird species you will actually find for sale

Only three of the nine lovebird species are commonly available in the US pet trade. They look different but have similar care needs.

• Peach Faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis). The most common and most colourful. A rosy peach face over a green or mutation coloured body. Comes in more colour mutations than any other lovebird. This is the one most buyers picture.
• Fischer’s Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri). Slightly smaller and more slender, with a bright orange face, green body, and a distinctive white eye ring. Bold personality.
• Masked Lovebird (Agapornis personatus). A dramatic black head mask paired with a green or blue body and a bold yellow collar. Also eye ringed.

Personality and care are broadly similar across all three. Choose mainly on looks.

Lovebird colours and mutations

A big part of the “lovebirds for sale” search is colour hunting, and lovebirds deliver. Peach Faced lovebirds alone come in green normals, lutino (yellow), turquoise, blue, pied, cinnamon, and many combined mutations. Fischer’s and Masked lovebirds have fewer mutations but include striking blue and lutino forms. Rarer combined mutations command higher prices, but the price gap between a common and a rare lovebird is much smaller than in most parrot species, which is part of what makes them such an accessible pet.

How much do lovebirds cost?

A hand raised lovebird from a working US aviary costs $80 to $500 in 2026, depending on species and colour mutation, with a classic green normal typically landing around $120 to $180. Colour mutations, DNA sexing, and species rarity all move the price within that band.

For the full breakdown of what drives lovebird pricing, colour by colour and species by species, see our dedicated lovebird price guide.

Hand raised vs parent raised: the choice that matters most

This is the single most important thing to check when buying a lovebird, and it is easy to miss because both can be advertised simply as “lovebirds for sale.”

A hand raised lovebird has been fed warm formula by the breeder from around two weeks of age through weaning at six to eight weeks. That is weeks of daily labour, and it produces a tame, confident bird that steps up and enjoys handling from day one. A parent raised lovebird is cheaper because the parents did the feeding, but it has had little human contact and will need months of patient taming, if it tames well at all. If you want a hands on pet, pay for a hand raised bird. If you want a breeding pair or an aviary bird, parent raised is fine and cheaper.

What to check before you buy a lovebird

• Hand raised from day one, if you want a tame pet.
• Fully weaned and eating on its own. Never take home an unweaned lovebird to hand feed yourself.
• DNA sexing. Lovebirds are not visually sexable, so a DNA certificate is the only reliable way to know sex. It adds a small amount to the price and is worth getting.
• Closed leg band, which indicates an aviary bred bird.
• Bright eyes, smooth feathers, active behaviour. Avoid fluffed up, listless, or dirty vented birds.
• A breeder who answers questions after the sale.

At Mo’s Birds every lovebird is hand raised from day one, DNA sexing is available, and birds are disease tested before nationwide shipping.

Are lovebirds loud? Are they good for apartments?

Lovebirds are not screamers like conures or macaws, but they are chatty and their calls are high pitched and can be piercing in short bursts. They are moderate on the noise scale, generally fine for most homes but not silent. They are a reasonable apartment bird if you accept some daily chatter. For a wider comparison of small parrot noise levels, see our small parrot noise comparison.

Where to buy a lovebird

Buy from an aviary that hand raises its own babies and can tell you the species, mutation, and sex of the bird. At Mo’s Birds we hand raise lovebirds in California and ship nationwide. Browse the lovebirds category, check the current babies page for what is available now, or contact Mo directly for waitlist information.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a lovebird cost?

A hand raised lovebird costs $80 to $500 in 2026, depending on species and colour mutation. A classic green normal typically runs $120 to $180. See our lovebird price guide for the full breakdown.

Do I need to buy two lovebirds?

No. A single hand raised lovebird bonds strongly with its human and often makes a tamer pet than a pair. Buy a pair only if you want a bonded couple or plan to breed; bonded pairs tend to bond to each other rather than to you.

What is the best lovebird for beginners?

The Peach Faced Lovebird is the most common, most colourful, and most widely available, making it the easiest first lovebird to find. All three pet species have similar, beginner friendly care needs.

Are lovebirds loud?

Moderate. Lovebirds are chatty with high pitched calls but do not scream like conures or macaws. They are a reasonable choice for most homes, including many apartments.

How long do lovebirds live?

Lovebirds live 10 to 15 years on average with good care, and some reach 20. For how that compares across parrot species, see our how long do parrots live guide.

Should I buy a hand raised or parent raised lovebird?

Buy hand raised if you want a tame pet you can handle from day one. Parent raised birds are cheaper but need months of taming and are better suited to breeding or aviary setups.