How Do Lovebirds Mate?

Lovebird Pairs

Lovebirds have very similar physical characteristics, and it can be very difficult to determine whether it's a male and female. The surest way to sex a lovebird is through DNA testing. Another problem that occurs with lovebirds is finding a pair that actually like each other. Lovebirds can be very aggressive and have been known to injure or kill each other, so just having a male and female doesn't guarantee that they will mate. Close supervision is required when trying to get them to pair up. Once you have a true pair of lovebirds that have accepted one another, you will notice them begin to court each other with the male dancing around and feeding the female.

Getting Ready To Mate

When lovebirds are ready to mate, both birds will begin to prepare their nesting place. In the wild, lovebirds will use just about anything to line the nest box including paper, grass, hay, moss, leaves and their own feathers. In captivity it is important to provide plenty of nesting material for them to use. Nesting material can be purchased, but newspaper or plain white paper works just as well. Once the lovebirds start building their nest, caution should be used when feeding and cleaning the area around the nest because female lovebirds can be very protective of their nest.

Mating

Once the lovebirds are ready to mate, the female will squat down, lift her tail and head and spread her wings. This is an invitation for the male to mount her. At that time, the male will jump up on her back. Don't be alarmed to see him holding onto her feathers. This is the way he secures himself. He presses his vent against the female's vent and makes a gyrating motion. Fertilization occurs when the male lovebird presses his vent against the female's vent. This is how he transfers his sperm to her. This mating process will continue throughout the day and may even continue for several days. Not long after the pair has mated, the female lovebird will begin to lay eggs in the nest.

Resources

• Lovebird Mating Dance
• Beginner's Guide to Breeding Lovebirds