About feeding a lovebird
Lovebirds are small, feisty parrots that, like budgies, are commonly kept on all-seed diets that shorten their lives.
How much should a lovebird eat?
Calorie needs use the veterinary formula 129 × weight(kg)0.75 (the Resting Energy Requirement), multiplied by a lifestyle factor of ×1 for a typical bird at the life stage shown. Enter your own animal's details in the calculator for an exact figure.
| Body weight | Daily calories |
|---|---|
| 40 g | 12 kcal |
| 43 g | 12 kcal |
| 46 g | 13 kcal |
| 49 g | 13 kcal |
| 51 g | 14 kcal |
| 54 g | 14 kcal |
| 57 g | 15 kcal |
| 60 g | 16 kcal |
What to feed
A pellet-based diet with fresh vegetables and limited seed. Small size means portions are tiny and easy to overshoot with fatty seeds.
How often to feed
Offer measured pellets and veg daily.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed a lovebird?
Only a couple of teaspoons of food a day — mostly pellets and vegetables, with seed as a small treat. Weigh regularly, as these small birds hide weight change under their feathers.
How much should I feed my bird?
It depends on species: a budgie (30 g) eats roughly 5-8 g of food a day, a cockatiel (90 g) around 8-12 g, and larger parrots proportionally more. Offer measured pellets plus fresh veg and weigh your bird weekly.
Are seeds bad for pet birds?
Seeds aren't toxic, but as a staple they're too fatty and lack vitamins A and calcium. Use them as a small treat and make formulated pellets and vegetables the base of the diet.