Lovebirds are...?

[CaptMicha]

Are lovebirds parrots? Actual parrots? I'm a bit unclear on this.

[Janie]

Yes, they are.

[CaptMicha]

Cool! I have parrots! Tiny parrots... I don't know why but I haven't really thought of them as parrots all these years.

[Eliza]

Lovebirds are indeed parrots. They are among the smallest of the hookbills :)

I think the name "lovebird" throws people off.

-e-

[dovelady4]

yeah, when I first heard the name "lovebird" I thought they were something more like a finch. Lovies are most definitely parrots. Softbills don't bite as hard. Ouch!

[linda040899]

With the exception of Macaws, hookbills that have short tails are parrots. Hookbills that have long tails are parakeets. Hookbills = Psittacines = either parrots, parakeets or macaws. Quaker Parrots are actually Monk Parakeets.

[Janie]

With the exception of Macaws, hookbills that have short tails are parrots. Hookbills that have long tails are parakeets. Hookbills = Psittacines = either parrots, parakeets or macaws. Quaker Parrots are actually Monk Parakeets.

So, what about conures? I thought they were parrots but the "long tail" thing confuses me now. :confused:

[Ayla's Mom]

I know that conures are considered in the parrot family, and that "parkeet" is a term used to refer to any bird of the parrot species with a long tail.
Yeah, LOVIES ARE PARROTS! Awesome, eh? ;)

[cassysmiley]

Hi CaptMicha
i have put a link in for you , so you can read all about the species of lovebirds.
hth.
cassy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovebird

[sdgilley]

My brother has Cockatiels and was insulted when I told him they were a member of the parakeet family. I don't know why it matter to him.

Before I got Peter, I bought Vera Appleyard's The Lovebird Handbook. If you haven't read it, I would really recommend it. The practical day-to-day living with lovebirds I learned here (and from the birds), but the book is a really good resource for education.

[wilkiecoco]

When I tell people I have a parrot, a lovebird, they don't believe me. :mad: Most people, non-bird people, think they are in the finch family. I tell them they are big attitude parrots in small parrot bodies. :happy: :happy:

[Janie]

When I tell people I have a parrot, a lovebird, they don't believe me. :mad: Most people, non-bird people, think they are in the finch family. I tell them they are big attitude parrots in small parrot bodies. :happy: :happy:

Robyn, same here! If it ain't Macaw size, people, or at least non bird people, don't think it's a parrot! :rolleyes:

YES, The Lovebird Handbook is the best book I've seen on basic lovebird info.