Avian Medicine:
Basic Information Sheet for the Lovebird

• Natural history
• Taxonomy
• Species
• Physical description
• Diet
• Husbandry
• Behavior
• Normal physiologic values
• Anatomy/physiology
• Restraint
• Venipuncture
• Preventive medicine
• Injections
• Important medical conditions
• References

Lovebirds live in flocks among the woodlands, savannah and forest edges of sub-Saharan Africa and Indian Ocean islands. The conservation 

Agapornis fisceri – Fischer’s Lovebird
Agapornis personata – Masked Lovebird
Agapornis roseicollis – Peach-faced Lovebird

There are 9 species in genus Agapornis. The Peach-faced and Black-masked lovebirds are most commonly kept as pets.

• Green plumage with a rose forehead, cheeks and throat, and a bright blue rump are seen overall in lovebirds but there are many mutant strains as well.
• Males tend to be slightly larger but most species are not sexually dimorphic.

• Lovebirds are granivores and frugivores.
• Since psittacines hull seeds before ingestion, they do not require grit. In fact, some individuals will overeat grit when ill putting the bird at risk for impaction.
• All-seed diets are deficient in protein, vitamins, and minerals including calcium and vitamin A.

• Cage dimension should be at least 18 in (2.5 cm) long and 18 in (2.5 cm) wide.
• Cage bar spacing should be approximately 3/8 to 7/16 in (0.95-1.1 cm).
• At least two perches without sandpaper should be provided with 3/8 inch diameter.
• Perch diameter should be between 3/8 in (0.95 cm). Provide at least two perches. Sand paper perch covers are very abrasive to the feet, and are not recommended.
• Provide frequent water baths or showers to maintain normal skin/feather quality.

• Lovebirds are assertive, even sometimes aggressive, in nature. Daily handling is necessary to maintain pet quality.
• A pair of lovebirds in a home will be quite loyal to each other and will not bond with the owner.
• Like most parrots, foraging is an important part of normal daily lovebird activity. Teach and encourage pet birds to play and forage.

Anatomic traits of Order Psittaciformes include:

• Communication of the right and left nasal sinus
• The only avian tongue with intrinsic muscles
• Simply syrinx
• Craniofacial hinge of beak is a synovial joint
• Ceca absent
• Gall bladder often absent
• Zygodactyl foot: two toes pointed backward and two pointed forward

Lovebirds may be restrained by holding the head between index and middle fingers. Support the body with the palm of the hand as well as the thumb and little finger.

Use a 27-gauge needle and 1 to 3-mL syringe to draw blood from the right jugular vein. Collection of up to 1% of body weight is acceptable in healthy patients.

• Obtain a complete history and perform a thorough annual physical examination.
• Establish baseline data with regular clinical testing (complete blood count, protein electrophoresis, and plasma biochemistries.
• Ensure proper nutrition and husbandry.
• Recommend quarantine of newly acquired birds.
• Perform additional testing for select diseases based on history and physical exam findings: avian polyoma virus, psittacosis.
• Determine the origin and history of newly acquired sick birds to contain and prevent further spread of disease.
• Birds housed in large groups or aviaries are at higher risk of Pacheco’s disease virus and use of the vaccine may be indicated.
• The avian polyoma virus vaccine is recommended for breeding populations.

Beynon P (ed). BSAVA Manual of Psittacine Birds. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1996. 7-9, 37. Print.

Carpenter J (ed). Exotic Animal Formulary. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO; Elsevier Saunders; 2005. Pp. 278-279.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Appendices I, II, and III. Valid from Apr 27, 2011. Available at: http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php. Accessed June 8, 2011.

Finkelstein A. Normal cloacal temperatures in multiple avian species. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet;  2004. P. 383.

Doneley B, Harrison GJ, Lightfoot TL. Maximizing information from the physical examination. In: Harrison GJ, Lightfoot TL (eds). Clinical Avian Medicine. Palm Beach, FL: Spix Publishing; 2006.  P. 173.

Harcourt-Brown N, Chitty J (eds).  BSAVA Manual of Psittacine Birds, 2nd ed. Quedgeley, Glouchester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2005. Pp. , 5-7, 16. 

Harrison GJ, Harrison LR. Clinical Avian Medicine and Surgery, Appendix 4, Philadelphia; W.B. Saunders; 1986. P.662.

Harrison GJ, Lightfoot TL (eds). Clinical Avian Medicine. Palm Beach, FL: Spix Publishing; 2006. Pp. 583-585.

IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. IUCN Red List Web site. 2010. Available at http://www.iucnredlist.org/. Accessed June 12, 2011.

Koustos EA, Matson KD, Klasing KC. Nutrition of birds in the order Psittaciformes: a review. J Avian Med Surg 15(4):257-275, 2001.

Lafeber Company. Other Birds. LafeberCares Web site. Available at: http://www.lafebercares.com/knowledge/birds/other.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.

Low R. Parrots in aviculture: A photoreference guide. Pickering, Ontario; Silvio Mattachione & Co; 1992. P. 82.

Morgan D. Bird Care. Neptune City, NJ: TFH Publications; 2005. Pp. 19, 20.

O’Malley B. Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species. Edinburgh: Elsevier Saunders; 2005. Pp. 156-157.

Tully TN. Birds. In: Mitchell M, Tully TN (eds). Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2008. Pp. 254, 262, 270-271.

Tully TN, Lawton MPC, Dorrestein GM. Avian Medicine. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000. Pp. 26-34, 43-51.