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Dutch Blue LovebirdFamily: Psittacidae
A hand-raised Dutch Blue Lovebird is extremely affectionate and playful. They are an excellent bird for a beginner as they are friendly, hardy, and easy to care for!The Dutch Blue Lovebird is a beautiful blue mutation of the Peach-faced Lovebird, and runs a close second in popularity to the lovely Lutino Lovebird, a yellow mutation of the Peach-faced. This little bird has all the wonderful charm and characteristics of the Peach-faced, being active, playful, and amusing. They are intelligent little birds and make a wonderful companion and friend.
The Dutch Blue Lovebirds are very social and love companionship. Their natural behavior is to live closely with a companion so are often kept with another lovebird. Though they make a very fine and affectionate pet when hand-raised, they will need a lot of attention if kept singly. Most are kept in pairs to satisfy their considerable need for constant companionship, mutual preening, and socialization. For more information and the care of Lovebirds see:
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Description:
The Dutch Blue Lovebird is a mutation of the Peach-faced
Lovebird. It is very similar to the Whitefaced Blue Lovebird as both these
birds have a reduced amount of the red and yellow pigments in their feathers.
The Dutch Blue Lovebird, which originated in Holland in about
1963, can be distinguished from the Whitefaced Blue as it has a slightly
creamy colored face and a solid orange band across the forehead. While
the Whitefaced Blue Lovebird, originating in the early 1980's, has a pure
white face and only a faint (if any) orange tinge to it's forehead. Both
birds have greenish-blue in the general plumage and bright blue feathers
on the rump and onto the upper part of the tail.
Another mutation that is very similar to the Dutch Blue Lovebird
is the Seagreen Lovebird. It is half Dutch Blue and half Whitefaced Blue
and has essentially the same head and facial coloration as the Dutch Blue,
but has a more greenish general plumage.
Size - Weight:
The Dutch Blue Lovebird will get up to about 6" - 7"
(16 - 18 cm) in length.
Care and feeding:
A roomy cage is required as lovebirds are very active. If
you have a tame pet that is kept in a small cage, it needs to be let out
for extended periods to fly about. Your pet they will enjoy a variety
of seeds, fruits, vegetables, and commercial pellets.
See About Lovebirds:
Housing and About Lovebirds:
Care and Feeding for more information.
Social Behaviors:
A lovebird is a very social bird with it's companion, and
it is generally thought to be essential for their good health and happiness
that they be kept in pairs rather than singly. They can, however, be aggressive
towards other birds in an aviary setting.
Activities:
Loves to fly, climb, and play. Provide lots of room and lots
of toys.
Breeding/Reproduction:
The Dutch Blue Lovebird is excellent for the beginning breeder.
These birds will breed well in either colonies or in a single pair, and
have the same behaviors as the Peach-faced
Lovebird. When you provide them with a nest box, be sure to also provide
lots of willow twigs, palm fronds, or other nesting materials as they
will build a small nest of their own inside of the nest box. They will
carry the nesting materials between their back and rump feathers.
The hen will lay four to five eggs which are incubated for
about 23 days. The young fledge (leave the nest) in about 30 to 38 days
but will still be dependent until about 43 days. When they become independent,
remove the young to their own housing.
See About Lovebirds:
Breeding/Reproduction for more information on breeding.
Potential Problems:
This bird has a moderate but metallic shriek and can be somewhat
noisy for parts of the day.
See About Lovebirds:
Potential Problems for information on illnesses.
Availability:
The Dutch Blue Lovebird is very popular and is readily available.
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Comments from people who have kept this pet:
I love my lovebird, but I wouldn't call him a good pet for a beginner. Lovebirds require a large amount of time to remain hand tamed and can be somewhat dominating. In essence they're a big parrot in a little parrot body. My little guy has a Napoleon complex a mile wide, but that's what gives him his remarkable personality. Lovebirds can be great companions and each and every one has its own unique personality.
I had a love bird unlike everyone elses. mine screamed all day long. she would swoop at your head and would not come near you. Yet when i got her she would sit on my shoulder and talk in my ear. Then one day she went nuts... maybe not all birds are happy and loving.
I currently have two wonderful lovebiirds. they are both supposed peach-faced lovebirds, but i just saw a picture of the Dutch-Blue lovebird, and now I am beginning to wonder about the true breed of the male. The other, the female, was purchased from a chain pet store. I do not recommend buying one from a large, chain-brand, pet store simply because the communication and socialization of the bird was very poor. but if you have your own favorite pet store (we bought our friendly male from OURS), owned by someone you can trust, go ahead and indulge yourself in one of these bright, cheery, beautiful animals. I warn you that, they're addicting, we bought one and a year later bought the other! Oh yes, if you can get a love bird, the younger they are the more trainable, AND DON'T FORGET THE RESCUED ONEs!!
I have a love bird named charlie and have had him for 8 months, they are real characters, they love to play and do tricks to please you. This is the first bird i have owned and i completly love him(think thats were the name comes from) great beginner bird.
Some of the coolest comments:
My little Dutch Blue is named Kiwi. She talks! I have had her since she was just 6 or 7 weeks old. Bought her from a breeder and finished hand feeding. She is single and I work at home so she can be out and with me at the computer whenever we want to socialize. She is as gentle as a lamb and is currently on a few eggs despite my efforts to avoid this. She allows me to feed her on the nest small bites of nuts, fresh veggies and bits of cheese from my fingers. She loves to crawl up my sweatshirt sleeve and come out the neck while saying "Kiwi, Kiwi, Kiwi". Amazingly, she doesn't scream or shriek at all. I have hand raised exotic birds for 28 years and this little girl is quite exceptional. I believe any animal is affected by the owner and recommend this type of pet to one who is patient and gentle. Quiet surroundings help and other people must not tease the little guys either. I hope Kiwi is around for 20 years or more.
Author: Clarice Brough, CAS
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