How Much Do Lovebirds Cost? [Average Price To Buy And Own] (2024)

If you are looking at buying a lovebird, one of your first questions and primary concerns will be how much they cost. You’ll need to know how much they cost upfront, and how much they will cost to look after going forward. Intrigued on getting one of these colorful birds myself, I decided to spend some time researching what the typical costs owners incur when taking one, or several on.

So, how much do lovebirds cost? Lovebirds cost between $50-$200 on average. The price you will need to pay depends on several factors such as where you get your lovebird from, the demand for this species of bird in your area, the age of the lovebird and how it is has been taken care of and raised.

When it comes to purchasing any pet, you want to ensure you do your research and due diligence ahead of time. It goes without saying that you should not buy the first lovebird you see or even come across.

Let us now take a closer look at all of the associated costs involved with buying a lovebird. We will also look at whether they are expensive compared to other pet birds, where you can or even should look to buy one and the ongoing costs you should expect.

So, be sure to keep on reading to get all the information you need when it comes to purchasing and owning this colorful parrot.

What Costs Are Involved With Buying A Lovebird?

Along with the bird itself, there are a number of other items you will need to purchase to get your new pet off to a good start.

Your main objective is to have a happy and healthy bird.

To make this happen, they will need to ensure that you feed them a premium diet, enable them to have plenty of rest and exercise, and have several toys to play with. All of which are essential for both physical and mental stimulation.

When you are looking for feed in particular, choose a premium seed mix that is specially formulated for lovebirds. This is a good example of a great brand to buy on Amazon, and you can save a lot of money in the long-run by buying their feed in bulk.

You will also want to get several different types of treats, and a mineral block which ensures they obtain all the nutrients that they need for optimal health.

You will need to purchase a large cage as well that is capable of fitting in toys to climb on and toys used to stimulate the mind.

To ensure that your bird gets the rest it needs when bedtime rolls around, consider purchasing a cage cover that is the right size for your cage. Not only will it block the light so your lovebird can sleep, but it also helps them to feel safe and secure.

Depending on all of the extras that you buy, you can expect to spend between $500 and $750 for your shopping trip, including your bird.

Add in an extra $100 or so if you will be buying a second lovebird.

Are Lovebirds Expensive?

Whether or not you consider a lovebird will ultimately depend on your budget, and what you are looking to pay.

Anything from $50 all the way up to $200 is what you should expect a lovebird to set you back, and that is just for the bird itself.

While this is far less than you would pay for a purebred dog, lovebirds are significantly more expensive than other popular pet birds such as Finches or Budgies.

However, it is important to consider that the prices stated here are averages, and based on the most common species of lovebird.

In fact, there are nine different types of lovebirds that owners decide to keep. Some of them are more popular as pets than others.

Most pet stores carry either the Peach-faced Lovebird, the Masked Lovebird, also known as the Yellow – collared Lovebird, or the Fischer’s Lovebird.

These three types are generally less expensive to purchase than the others and tend to hover around the $100 mark.

If you are looking for a lovebird a little more out of the ordinary, you may want to consider one of the following types:

• Black–collared Lovebird,
• Black–cheeked Lovebird,
• Black–winged Lovebird.
• Grey–headed Lovebird,
• Red–headed Lovebird,
• Lilian’s Lovebird,

Some of these birds can be difficult to find and this is often reflected in the price that you will pay.

Additionally, you will likely need to contact a breeder to find these less common birds.

Where Can You Buy A Lovebird?

Lovebirds are fairly common pets so the good news is that you should have no trouble finding one to buy or adopt.

Before you get down to the process of actually buying a lovebird, you will need to ask yourself two questions:

1. Are you going to buy one bird or two?
2. What type of lovebird are you looking to find?

Although it is just a myth that a lovebird will die without a mate, there is a good argument for having more than one as pets.

With todays busy lifestyles, you may not be able to spend as much time as you like with your feathered friend.

If you have two birds in the cage, they will keep each other company and spend their time preening, cuddling, and playing.

This is very important for this particular species of bird; they thrive on companionship. This is one of the primary reasons behind why they are called as they are; they are are known for being loving and attentive – to other lovebirds and their owners alike.

If you take a trip to your local pet store, there is a good chance that they will have lovebirds available.

Most pet stores who choose to carry birds will likely sell lovebirds along with budgies, and finches, as standard inventory.

Even if the store does not carry lovebirds as a rule, many times they are able to bring them in for you if you ask.

If you live in a bigger city, you may be lucky enough to be in close proximity to a specialty bird store.

Along with stunningly colored parrots, you will also find different types of lovebirds for sale. When you are in a store like this, the hardest part of your decision will be choosing just one or two from all the beautiful colors.

You can also purchase a lovebird from a breeder. When it is possible, try to find a breeder within a relatively close distance to your home. Long travel times upset birds and the stress can wreak havoc on their health.

Equally, its a good idea to do your research ahead of time on said breeder. Look for reviews or any other sources of information about the birds in which they have previously sold.

Additionally its a good idea to look in a local directory, or perhaps even ask your local vet if they are aware of any specialist and reputable breeders in the area.

Finally, check with your local animal shelters or bird rescues. There may not always be a bird available, but you can put your name on a list to be contacted if one does come in.

As an added bonus, most shelters will send you home with the cage the bird came in so this will lower your upfront costs considerably.

What Are The Costs Of Owning A Lovebird?

When it comes to the cost of owning a lovebird, they can be broken down into recurring costs and one – time costs.

When you bring home one of these fantastic birds, you need to be aware of the time commitment that is involved.

Since your bird should live between 12 and 15 years, there are many expenses that you will pay over and over again.

We have done the research for you and below you will find out everything you need to know regarding the costs of keeping a lovebird for its lifetime.

Your Bird or Birds

The average cost of a lovebird is between $100 and $150 dollars per bird. You should budget approximately $125 for each bird you are planning to buy.

Initial Veterinary Exam

You should take your new bird to the vet as soon as you can get an appointment. There is no reason to assume that anything is wrong, but an all-clear examination gives you a good baseline for what your pet should look like if they are healthy.

The costs for examinations with an avian vet are all over the map but expect to pay in the neighborhood of $50 to $100 without blood tests or x-rays.

The Cage

You are going to want to purchase the biggest cage that you can afford. Lovebirds need room to move around and stretch their wings.

Keep in mind that you will need an even larger cage if you plan to have two birds.

Budget for around $200 to $300 to buy a good spacious cage. A good rule of thumb is to have a cage with a minimum of 35 cubic feet of space for every two lovebirds.

Cage Accessories

You are going to need a variety of perches in different sizes. This is important because their feet do not get proper exercise when all the perches are the same dimension.

Varying the texture of the perches’ surface is a good idea. Also, try to get some that are short and some that are longer.

Next you will need to consider dishes for food and water.

You will also want to have a separate dish that you use to feed fresh food so that it doesn’t cause the pellet food to spoil.

You may also want to consider a water bottle so that there is little chance of their drinking supply being contaminated by waste.

Finally, you are going to want to purchase a few inexpensive items such as perch covers ($4) a millet holder ($5), a mineral block ($5), a cuttlebone ($2), and possibly a nest (under $20).

Including the perches and the dishes, expect to spend in the neighborhood of $50 to $100 for all these items.

If you are also purchasing a cage cover, expect to spend anywhere from $30 to $50.

Toys

It is absolutely essential that your lovebird has toys to play with. Not only are they good for exercise, they also help keep your pet’s brain busy and thinking.

The toy section at the pet store will have oodles of choices but make sure that whatever you purchase is appropriate for lovebirds.

You should get a good selection of foraging toys, climbing toys, noise-making toys, and general play toys.

Lovebirds also love to look at themselves, so a bird mirror is an excellent addition to their cage environment.

One thing to keep in mind is that birds become bored quite quickly with the same toys.

The best way to keep your lovebird entertained is by purchasing a wide variety of toys and switching them out once every week or so.

The cost of toys varies widely depending on the size and complexity, but you should be safe if you budget between $100 and $200 to start off with.

Food

You can purchase a good quality pellet food made for lovebirds for about $15. This should last you for quite some time as the average lovebird will only eat about one tablespoon per day.

The pellet food should be the staple portion of their diet. You can also feed your pet seeds, but these should be fed in limited quantities because they are very high in calories.

One good way to offer seeds is by hanging treat sticks up in the cage. They are adored by lovebirds but never give more than one per week.

To get some additional variety into their diet, you will need to make a trip to your local supermarket. Here you can purchase a variety of fruits and vegetables that your bird will enjoy.

Change the offerings every week but expect to spend between $10 and $15 on fresh foods weekly.

Price Compared To Other Birds

You may have your heart set on the lovebird, but its interesting to compare the price of them against other pet birds and related parrots.

Below, we outline the average cost per species, breaking them up into their respective sizes for your reference:

Small Birds

Medium Birds

Large Birds

As you can see, lovebirds are one of the most expensive to buy compared to other small birds, and the category for which they fall.

However, compared to larger birds they come in considerably cheaper.

Should I Buy A Lovebird?

If you have the desire, time, and money, there is no reason why you should not buy a lovebird!

These comical birds make excellent pets and are very social and loving with their owners, they are even open to snuggling up and cuddling close.

Beyond this, they are relatively active, curious and playful; making them an interesting bird to own and to take care of.

That being said, they do require some time and commitment. Always remember that a bird in captivity is completely dependent on you to have all its needs met.

You should also have a home that is suitable to house and keep a bird. Ensure that you have sufficient space that you can dedicate to a large cage, and that you can set up the environment to support them at all times. This includes providing sufficient heat and not exposing them to any loud noises or draughts.

If you do not believe that you will have a significant amount of time or the resources to devote to your bird, perhaps you should put it off for the time being and revisit the possibility when your circumstances change.

Finally

Lovebirds may be relatively inexpensive to buy upfront, but if you are looking to take one of these birds on you need to consider the additional expenses and ongoing costs.

All in, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 and $750 to take a bird home, properly house them and to take care of their basic needs.

As with any pet, lovebirds need taking care of, or else you risk them not being able to live a long and fulfilling life. Instead being subjected to unhappiness and potential sickness and disease.

That being said, so long as you do your research, get all the bits they need, and take care of them as best as you can; there is no reason in why you will not have a loving companion for many years to come.

And you will not regret selecting this particular species of bird.