While lovebirds and budgies are household pets, for that, cages, food, and water are required to extend their life spans. Lovebirds vs budgies are relevant to show their dissimilarity for the perfect pick for your pet cage. Undoubtedly, both are attractive, physically fit, energetic, and easy to handle.
Rather than good quality, some interesting things about lovebirds and budgies are a must to buy one of them. So, do you want to invest your time and money in the best pet with affordable expenses? In this article, you will know about the pros and cons of lovebirds and pets, their life span, intelligence, and behavior.
To know about both species’ territory, their possessiveness for cage and aggressiveness, keep in touch with us.
Detail about Lovebirds and Budgies
- Pocket parrot lovebirds are from the genus Agapornis. This genus is named due to parrot size and according to their tail. As lovebirds are small and short-tailed birds in large parrot families. Some are smaller and others are a little bit bigger. Smaller ones are Lilian’s lovebirds, while the larger ones are black-winged lovebirds. Lilian’s are orangish from the chest, while black-winged are red from the upper head. Humans and mates are their long-term friends. Although, lovebirds have some similarities and dissimilarities with budgies.
- Melodious parrot budgies are from the genus Melopsittacus. Budgies are smaller, but have long tails, and are usually well known as shell parakeets. English budgies are usually larger than other budgie species. The most amazing thing in budgies is color variation due to mutation. Let’s begin to see the further difference between lovebirds and budgies.
1- Physical appearance
Each parrot has its body structure. However, lovebirds vs budgies is a good topic for differentiating them. Each and everything is mentioned including head, tail, feathers, and much more. Let’s read:
Head
Lovebirds head: Lovebirds mates have a little bit different due to head, unlike budgies. The female head is more rounded than the male. It means male lovebirds have chunky heads.
Budgies head: Budgies have pinheads but due to mutation, the shape may change to flat or rectangular. Yet, it is not deniable to say that budgies show variation in head shape. So, there is nothing to differentiate male and female heads except cere on the upper side of the beak. Just see the cere, if your budgies have smaller cere with dull color, then it is a female. Besides, a larger cere on the beak with brighter color is the clue of male.
Tail
Lovebirds: Lovebirds belong to Agapornis, and this genus has short tail parrots. That’s why lovebirds’ tails are smaller than budgies but their bodies are healthy, stocky, and short. Lovebirds’ tails are broad.
Budgies: Although budgies are shorter than lovebirds, they have longer tails. The tail is narrow with a pointed end.
Feather
Lovebirds feathers: Feathers grow due to keratin. If the birds are not getting high protein, then feathers will fall. According to size and body shape, feathers on lovebirds’ bodies are maximum in number. About 4000 feathers are present on mature lovebirds. But with low molting, feathers will extend between 2800-5000 in numbers. Moreover, molting is high in lovebirds rather than budgies.
Budgies feather: Vaned and down feathers are a specialty of budgies. Their feathers are minimum in number due to their small and thin bodies. About 1800-3000 feathers are present on budgies’ bodies, which is accurate for warmness and loss of heat.
Beak
Lovebirds’ beak: Stiff beaks play a role in eating hard food like seeds, corn, and grains. However, keratin makes the beak of birds more powerful and firm. Moreover, lovebirds’ beaks are larger than budgies. Likewise, baby lovebirds have black, and mature ones have a reddish or light tan-colored beak.
Budgies beak: Budgies have smaller beaks than lovebirds. However, males and females can be differentiated with budgie beaks. Basically, a hard beak with sharp pointed ends makes them defenders. However, the longer and oversized beak is the reason for the disease. Avoid trimming the break at home and consult with a specialist.
Color
Lovebird’s colors: Colors enhance the beauty of nature. Hence, lovebirds’ color combination is attractive for humans to acquire. The color variation of the lovebird’s body is green, black, teal, white, and peach.
Budgies colors: Color mutation in budgies is common. Yet, primary and secondary mutation allows a number of color differences in budgies. Yellow and white-based colors including green and blue are present, but not red and pink.
Size
Lovebird’s size: Lovebirds are larger but their body length is shorter about 12-17cm. Its wingspans are 24 I’m, and its weight is 60g.
Budgies size: Budgies are larger in length about 7 inches or 18cm due to their more extended tail. Budgies have a 29 cm wingspan and 38-42 g weight.
2- Nature
Lovebirds Nature:
Lovebirds are friendly but not too much. As their loving and social behavior towards owners is restricted. They don’t show their affection even with their mate before proper judgment. Hence, they cuddle with their attractive person or companion but after spending time. Lovebirds show their anger quickly and require excessive toys, that’s why their adjustment is difficult. Otherwise, their training is tough but best to make them calm.
Budgies Nature:
Budgies need attention more than love birds because they are more social. Humans can be their best companions, and they are gentle with their owners. Budgies also need playing things to have a good time. Perhaps, they show more affection for humans than lovebirds.
Budgies have the nature to stretch their wings to perform exercise during inactivity. Not just this, but they also have a habit of raising their wings for blood circulation. Head bobbing is very entertaining for budgies. Often, head shaking is the reason for happiness, hunger, and attracting a mate. Moreover, budgies have the nature of eye flashing during curiosity and excitement.
3- Intelligence
Lovebirds Intelligence:
Lovebirds are smart, but not talkative ones. They can play games, follow rules, and make a good bond. It doesn’t mean they are easy to tame. Moreover, they are less sharp and require time to assess a human, or even mate. Undoubtedly, with proper timing and supervision, they seek a lot of training from their owners.
Budgies intelligence:
Budgies are smarter than lovebirds. Even within a limited time, they learn to play games and talk with humans. If you want to give the name of budgies, then it is precious because budgies remember their names. Moreover, buddies make emotional bonds and have a sharp brain to memorize the past. Although, budgies’ communications and understanding are better than lovebirds.
4- Lifespan
Lovebirds Lifespan
Lifespan is an important element before selecting a parrot species. Yet, lovebirds are lucky because they can live 10-20 years with a proper diet and high nutrition. Besides, depression, stress, loss of appetite can be a danger for lovebirds’ lifespan.
Budgies lifespan
According to budgies’ health, their physic, and metabolism level, they cannot live more than 5-10 years. Even though some people do not give them quality time and they lose their health. In this instance, their life span is lower than estimated. However, every bird wants quality food, time, and care for a long life.
5- Prices
Lovebirds Cost
Prices of birds depend upon their lifespan, beauty, behavior, and different qualities. However, lovebirds are more precious than budgies, so their prices are high. About 25-220$ will be required to buy various species of lovebirds.
Budgies Cost
Budgies are small with less life span. That’s why the prices of shell parakeets are around 10-40$. It depends on whether you want English or Australian budgies. Larger ones have more prices than smaller(Australian) budgies.
6- Expenses
Lovebirds Expenses
Lovebirds are costly, so they need more care. Expenses include food material, cage requirements, treatments, and a companion. Roundabout 250-400$ require yearly for lovebirds. But it depends upon your lovebird’s number and variety.
Budgies Expenses
Budgies also expect attention and care, but not like lovebirds. Yet, yearly expenses of budgies are 150-230$. If you have more than a pair, you will need more money for budgie care.
7- Temperature
Temperature for lovebirds
Lovebirds cannot live in a hardy or cold temperature. And they make noises if the temperature is above 80 degrees. The suitable temperature for lovebirds is 60-80 degrees.
Temperature for Cockatiel
Budgies are tiny with fewer feathers. Coldness and warmth affect them badly. However, with tender loving care, they can survive between 60-70 degrees.
Do budgies like lovebirds?
It is a big concern about budgies and lovebirds’ friendship. Undoubtedly, both are pets with almost the same size and same appearance. These species are from a different genus. Yet, lovebirds are arrogant and feel danger from other species. No matter, the second species is calm and aggressive, but love birds attack them immediately.
Yet, you cannot place lovebirds and buddies in the same cage to prevent serious problems. Different houses in the same place can be a little bit manageable rather than picking up severe steps. Another factor is to be noted that cage size depends on various species. If the cages are small, then it will be more difficult to organize both pets.
Do lovebirds fight with budgies?
The main reason to show aggressive behavior is growing up in various regions of Africa. Budgies have dominant behavior but do not have the quality to hurt other species. However, budgies want everything from the cage and lovebirds are territorial. In this way, lovebirds take steps to defend their cage and quarrel with budgies.
Furthermore, the chasing behavior of budgies will never be longer to show their dominance on feeders, water baths, and toys. With maximum requirements and training, there will be few chances to make a bond between them, but it is very risky.
Are lovebirds or budgies louder?
Budgies produce various sounds according to their needs. Yet, they make flock calls when someone touches them. However, singing calls with a bobbing head are to come close to their mates. Budgies chirping sounds are lighter according to their pleasure. However, they become louder and give alarm calls when they feel scared. While lovebirds are not louder like budgies, and also don’t give such kinds of calls.
Which is better as a beginner’s pet: lovebirds or budgies?
Basically, budgies will be accurate due to their low cost, talkative nature, and for quickly bonding without any aggressiveness. Budgies also do not bite their owners. However, budgies will be the best choice, after the lovebirds.
Conclusion
It is concluded that both species are unique in their manners. Lovebirds vs budgies recover lots of confusion related to their suitable temperature, lifespan, expenses, and attitude. In my point of view, budgies will be best for pet isolated cages and beginner caretakers.
The reason is that budgies can adjust themselves anywhere, and their talkative behavior is remarkable. Although, their life span is less, but are affordable due to expenses and cost.
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