Lovebird or Budgie

**Mumble55** · 12-27-2011, 10:51 AM

First of all, sorry if this is in the wrong section I wasn't sure where to put it. Anyways, I have 2 male Cockatiels named Mumble (1 year old tomorrow

) and Chester (8 months on Jan 10). I was thinking about getting another parrot and I can't decide between a Budgie or a Lovebird. What are the pros and cons of each and which will have the least amount of problems with my cockatiels. They will not be housed together or anything and they will be under close supervision when out of their cage. Can I have some basic info on each including cage and toys, they will probably have a huge cage either way, though. And whichever I get it will be a male if that matters in anyway. Money is not an issue either, I get allowance, do all kinds of things to make extra cash, have over $200 in savings just in case and my parents are 100% with me. Thanks ahead of time.

P.S. They are MY birds. My parents don't pay for them or have to care for them. They buy them treats or toys occasionally, though, but as a gift. And sorry if it doesn't make much sense- I am bad about expressing my thoughts in words that make sense to others

**Marrie** · 12-27-2011, 11:01 AM

Lovebirds can be bullies to tiels, but so can budgies, since tiels are so docile. As long as you supervise playtime out of cage though, either can work as for that, as long as they aren't housed together. So it is really up to which bird you want. As for their requirements and personalities, I don't have either, so I will leave it up to the owners.

One thing I will note though is you want a sturdier cage with a lovie, since certain lovies can chew through regular cage bars.

**Mumble55** · 12-27-2011, 11:06 AM

Thanks for the reply. I knew they were bullies and that I can handle. My tiels can show others who is boss when they need to, though. For example, Mumble (the older one) put my cat into place just a few weeks after I got him. He bit her nose a little bit and she has never tried to bother them since. She actually sleeps ontop of their cage and watches over them at night. Thanks again

**Wuv_Bird** · 12-27-2011, 11:52 AM

My lovie definitely hated, hated, hated other birds. Especially if I was paying attention to them. She'd have killed them had I given her the chance.

Now, if you introduced them when the lovebird was young, it might help. Just be very careful. Don't give it the chance to go after your tiels. Or the other way around.

As for cost, lovebirds are more active, destructive, and aggressive. That means they need bigger cages, will go through toys faster (trust me, they can destroy toys quite efficiently), and they're more likely to attack your other birds and, yeah, you. Lovie can be sweet hearts but they also have more of a mean streak than a budgie. Just something to keep in mind.

**Mumble55** · 12-27-2011, 01:32 PM

Thanks for that advice. I don't want that to happen to me or my birds and have done tons of research about it. I have decided to go with a Budgie

. Thanks again

**Anfsurfer** · 12-27-2011, 09:39 PM

Lovebirds and Budgies are VERY different birds. I've owned both with a Tiel.
My Tiel thought she was a tough cookie, but she was no match for a Lovebird. I'm being 100% serious. My birds all got along, but that was because my Tiel stepped back from the Lovebirds.
I had English Budgies and they were pretty Harmless to my Tiel. But they're pesky. They perch on other birds tails and get in their face, etc....which could anger another bird.
As long as you monitor their play times both birds can work. But I would say a Budgie would probably be a slightly better choice.

**pixibubbles** · 12-29-2011, 02:38 AM

I thin eyering lovies are better with other birds than peachies who can be real bullies. Both Sammy and Sparky have had budgie friends, tho they're a little obsessed with tails. They both liked to preen the others- I think they were just nosey cause they diidn't have long tail feathers lol

HAve a look at the masked and fischers lovies and see if you are pulled towards them x

**Mumble55** · 12-29-2011, 10:20 AM

Thanks. It completely skipped my mind to look into the different types of lovies. I will look into those two now. Thanks

**ifly** · 12-29-2011, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Anfsurfer

Lovebirds and Budgies are VERY different birds. I've owned both with a Tiel.
My Tiel thought she was a tough cookie, but she was no match for a Lovebird. I'm being 100% serious. My birds all got along, but that was because my Tiel stepped back from the Lovebirds.
I had English Budgies and they were pretty Harmless to my Tiel. But they're pesky. They perch on other birds tails and get in their face, etc....which could anger another bird.
As long as you monitor their play times both birds can work. But I would say a Budgie would probably be a slightly better choice.

beautiful bird1 i was wondering, what type of lovie is that int eh middle/ not the masked but the one with the grey head and metallic like blue body/ is it a babdy dutch blue/ thanks!

As for the question- lovies and budgies are very different bird with different personalities. lovies are very out going and active and bossy. they are kings of the world! lol;0 thats how i think of them.but they are sweet too. budgies are a bit more layed back. have you looked into lineolated parakeets? they are kind of a mix of budgies and lovies in terms of personality in my opinion. more active than a budgie but less than a lovie. and so on. Of course each bird is an individual but just in general... good luck!

**Anfsurfer** · 12-30-2011, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by ifly

beautiful bird1 i was wondering, what type of lovie is that int eh middle/ not the masked but the one with the grey head and metallic like blue body/ is it a babdy dutch blue/ thanks!

"Dutch Blue" is a nickname given to the Parblue mutation in Peachfaced Lovebirds. And yes, that Lovebird in the center is a Parblue Lovebird, but she is a Blackmasked Lovebird. She was a baby in that picture. :-)

**Amanda85** · 12-30-2011, 10:45 PM

I personally wouldnt put lovebirds or budgies with tiels, they are both a bit too nasty I think. I actually got out of budgies coz they were shockingly agressive, and I breed lovebirds mostly.

I stick to having species to the same species its just safer. That being said my cin gcc Jilly loves the cockatiels my older HR tiels dont like her but the baby tiels love her too.

**pixibubbles** · 12-31-2011, 02:23 AM

I disagree.
Birds can be vicous to their own species just as often as others. I remember a certain pair of lovies who had been buddies for years, til one bit the other so hard the vet talked about having to amputate part of the foot!

**Amanda85** · 12-31-2011, 11:04 AM

Yeah they'll do that. Look at Aya she was plucked terribly by her parents and she cant stand other birds, shes just about 4yrs now and only just tolerates babies Im raising when shes out with me and it their feed time, unless they run at her.

But I found budgies to be just more harrassing, theyd chase the other birds around and pluck them guard the food dishes and even swoop at them (the swooping was in the aviary).

I just think with a tiel something less aggressive then a lovie or a bug is the best way to go I think. That being said i have a hr gcc in with my weaned hr tiels.

I'd like to say too that I've found that young birds raised together are fine with eachother while raising is going on but once weaned they tend to get a bit snippy with the different ones as they get older.

**britany** · 01-06-2012, 03:35 AM

Maybe you should get budgies they are very playful and active

**mask** · 01-06-2012, 10:56 AM

So are lovebirds?

**britany** · 01-06-2012, 05:05 PM

yeah true..

**ChesterHannah2010** · 01-08-2012, 09:55 PM

Lovies are playful and active too..

**britany** · 01-10-2012, 02:45 AM

I've never had love birds before so I can't talk here but I m wanting to get one but I can't (dad rules the house makes the decisions!)

**froggij** · 01-11-2012, 01:37 PM

Well, I don't know about budgies, but I wouldn't recommend a lovebird with a 'tiel unless you want a workout. In other words, no matter what you do to prevent it, you'll find the lovebird going over to the 'tie all the time and have to seperate them.

Dori always flies over and picks fights with Nino, even when one is inside the cage and the other is outside. Dori also tries to boss around my nanday conure, who's only about five times her size and a crabby little girl.

There's never a dull moment in my household, with a lovebird in it.

**Lovelybird** · 01-29-2012, 09:37 AM

Lovebirds can be vicious. Theyre not evil or mean, no, they just, well arent as docile as tiel's are. I went to go pick up my cockatiel at the breeder, and the breeder offered for us to stay and look at her other birds. Of course, I was intrested in the lovebirds, so she got them out. I had my precious lance out, and those lovebirds ( They were peachies) Stuck in a gang of three and chased him around the room. Not that lovebirds are bad, and not that budgies are ALWAYS nice, but I'd go with a budgie. But with careful watching lovebirds and tiels can get along. If you were to pick a lovebird, i'd say a masked. Fischers and Peachies can be bullies. Im quite young myself btw ^^ Hope you enjoy your new bird! ( When you get him)