As a lovebird owner, you are probably keen to find out how to maximize the lovebird lifespan for your precious feathered pet!
Want to know, “How long do lovebirds live for?” and “How long do lovebirds live by species?” Read on!
You can have a great influence over the health and happiness of your pet bird.
In this article, learn more about the lovebird life expectancy in the wild and in captivity. And learn about health issues that can impact the lovebird lifespan.
Life expectancy of lovebirds
Ornithologists generally agree that the average lifespan of lovebirds in the wild is typically shorter than the lifespan of lovebirds in captivity.
The reduced lifespan doesn’t apply in all cases. But factors such as shortage of food or water, predation, unusual weather patterns and changes to native territory (such as from agriculture or commercial development) can all impact how long wild lovebirds live.
In the wild, a lovebird may live anywhere from 5 to 15 years.
Lovebird lifespan in captivity
Pet lovebirds typically have a longer lifespan than their wild counterparts do.
However, pet lovebirds can’t control important aspects of their health such as access to clean food and water, preventative veterinary care, exercise and enrichment. Each of these factors can directly impact longevity.
With proper care, the pet lovebird life expectancy is generally 10 to 20 years.
Health and lovebird lifespan
Loneliness is a big issue with lovebirds. These petite parrots actually take their species common name from their trait of mating for life!
Lovebirds really need a same-species companion in order to stay healthy and happy in captivity.
If you don’t want to breed lovebirds, the best option is a male-male pair, since two female lovebirds may become aggressive towards one another in adulthood.
Regular beak and nail trimming can also be important to the overall health of your lovebirds.
The beak and nails, made of keratin just like our own fingernails, grow continuously throughout your lovebird’s life. Overgrown beaks and nails can hamper your bird’s ability to eat, drink and navigate.
Nutritional deficiencies, preventable accidents and environmental toxins (including self-cleaning ovens and Teflon cooking pans) are three other major potential health threats to the lovebird in captivity.
Lovebird lifespan by species
African lovebirds lifespan can vary by the species.
Lovebirds in captivity can display a stunning array of colors and patterns, and all pet lovebirds belong to one of the nine species listed here.
The most common pet lovebirds are the Fischer’s lovebird, the peach faced lovebird and the black masked lovebird.
Check below for the average expected lifespan of all nine different African lovebird species.
Fischer’s lovebird lifespan
The Fischer’s lovebird, Agapornis fischeri, is named after the man who discovered this species, Gustav Fischer.
The Fischer’s lovebird is known to be one of the gentlest of all lovebird species and can live up to 20 years in captivity.
The oldest recorded pet Fischer’s lovebird lived 32.24 years!
Peach faced lovebird lifespan
Sometimes called the Rosy faced lovebird, or Agapornis roseicollis, the peach faced lovebird can live 15 to 25 years in captivity on average.
However, the oldest recorded living pet lovebird lived 34.34 years!
Masked lovebird lifespan
The masked lovebird, Agapornis personatus, is sometimes also called the yellow-collared lovebird or the eye ring lovebird.
The masked lovebird can live 10 to 20 years in captivity.
The oldest recorded living captive masked lovebird lived 24.24 years!
Red-faced lovebird lifespan
Sometimes also called the red headed lovebird, or Agapornis pullarius, the red-faced lovebird has a listed maximum lifespan of 19.23 years, according to a historical study of parrot survival in captivity.
Lilian’s lovebird lifespan
The Lilian’s lovebird, or Agapornis lilianae, is also sometimes called the Nyasa lovebird.
The average lifespan is 10-12 years. One captive raised Lilian’s lovebird reached the ripe old age of 19.2 years!
The Lilian’s lovebird is listed as “near threatened” on the IUCN red list.
Black cheeked lovebird lifespan
The black cheeked lovebird, Agapornis nigrigenis, is one species that is facing severe habitat loss in its native range in southern Zambia.
A captive black cheeked lovebird can live up to 13.75 years.
Black collared lovebird lifespan
The black collared lovebird is also called the Swindern’s lovebird, or Agapornis swindernianus.
The average life expectancy in captivity for this lovebird species is 10 to 15 years.
Black winged lovebird lifespan
The black-winged lovebird, Agapornis taranta, is also called the Abyssinian lovebird.
The average captive lifespan of a black winged lovebird is 15.83 years.
Grey headed lovebird lifespan
The grey headed lovebird, Agapornis cana, lives on the island of Madagascar. Some call it the Madagascar lovebird as a result.
The average lifespan in captivity of the grey headed lovebird is 16.01 years.
Lovebird lifespan
We hope you have enjoyed learning about the lovebird lifespan in the wild and in captivity!
Resources and Further Reading
- Powers, L. et al (2018). Bird Health Exam. Association of Avian Veterinarians.
- Emanuelson, K. (2018). Fischer’s Lovebirds. Oakland Zoo.
- Radamaker, K. et al (2011). Rosy-faced Lovebird. Arizona Field Ornithologists.
- Aubin, S. (2018). Species Profile Lovebirds. Hari Hagen Avicultural Research Institute.
- Young, A. et al (2013). Survival on the ark: life history trends in captive parrots. Animal Conservation Journal.
Thank you for this information about how long I can expect my roseicolle lovebird to live. She is now 18 years old and spends most of her day sleeping attached to the cage by her beak. Her mate died suddenly at age 15 after being an excellent father to numerous batches of their chicks. They have been fantastic noisy but cheerful company these last eighteen years and I shall miss my old bird when she dies. Of course she may outlive me as I shall be 80 when her expected maximum life span expires.
I hope you are doing just as well as your little lovebird!
We have 2 love birds that chase an African Grey around for fun I guess. Grady’s 10 years old and maybe the lovebirds are about that old. Last week the yellow lovebird flew across the street up to a tall tree but she flew back down to my level so I was able to catch her with a small net after a few hours. I haven’t taken them back outside again. The green lovebird seemed glad to have her back at home before it got dark. They’re very chummy in their box but have never laid an egg. They could be the same sex. Is it a good idea to replace one if the other dies sooner? Then the new one would eventually be left alone. Perhaps it’s better to only buy them in pairs.
I have had my peach faced Love Bird for almost 20 years. At first I thought she was a he until I learned that he’s don’t shred paper for nest building. My bird is not flying and sleeps a lot and is physically up and down. She never needed anyone but me. She is as sweet as the day I got her. Thanks for the information.
My love bird lived over 20 years. With good care yours can too. She was so sweet and loved to cuddle and get pet. I thought mine was a he also for 10 years. She shred paper every day and loved doing it.
i had my love bird for 17 years she just died on june 5 since i put a cuutle bone in her cage she died could it be she bit it and didnt swallow it and choked
I have an 11 year old Fischers who sleeps a lot and is kinda an old man. He got sick about 3 years ago and the vet thought I should put him down but I nursed him back. I think he suffered some from the sickness and doesn’t fly anymore and sleeps a lot. But, I love him so much. He is alone in his cage now as his mate another male Fischer’s got a girlfriend and is in a different cage. The second male Fischers is about 5 now and his new girlfriend is about a year. They are very happy together and none of these are hand tamed, but they all know their names and are wonderful birds. I just recently got a hand tamed peach face who is a baby of a peach face that I know. I am so happy to hear they can live so long! I really hope I have my beautiful peach face and Fischers for the next 20 years! Until I am in my ripe old age! My birds are the best company! I love them all so much. Thank you all for all the info on your birds.
omg no! I hope my wife’s doesn’t live that long he’s too damn noisy.