Opaline Lovebird: Info, Traits, History & Care (With Pictures)

The lovebird is a small attractive parrot that is popularly kept as a pet bird. They have a large bill and a rounded tail and live for a decent length of time—the oldest lovebird documented lived to be 17 years of age.¹ They come in a variety of different colors, and opaline is a common favorite. The color is a new mutation among peach-faced lovebirds and was first discovered in 1977. The opaline’s body primarily has irregular-colored patterns, which makes it an attractive version of the lovebird.

This article will provide you with everything that you need to know when it comes to the opaline lovebird.

Opaline Lovebird Overview

Origin and History

The opaline lovebird originated in the United States. They’re not an individual lovebird species but are rather a color and pattern mutation in peach-faced lovebirds. The mutation was brought about by breeders who bred a pair of dark green peach-faced lovebirds together. It seems to have sex-linked characteristics. The male parent transfers the gene to the daughter, and the female transfers it to her son. You only need one lovebird with a dark factor gene to reproduce this opaline mutation. The females either show the full opaline color or lack it altogether.

Lovebirds are a small group of nine species of the old-world parrot family. Eight are native to the main African continent, and the other is native to Madagascar. Most species of lovebirds are kept as pets and have been selectively bred in aviculture to produce their beautiful colorations.

Temperament

These are affectionate and social birds that form close bonds with their owners. Lovebirds enjoy living with their kind, which satisfies their need for social interactions. They can also be kept in breeding pairs, and each forms a long-term commitment to their mate. This is the best form of enrichment and attention they can get besides human interaction.

These lovebirds are commonly described as active, playful, curious, and full of personality for such small birds. However, it is important to note that these birds can become aggressive and territorial if they have not been socialized properly from a young age. This can cause them to aggressively flap their wings or bite out of irritation and fear.

Speech & Vocalizations

Opaline lovebirds are quite chatty with each other and will frequently chirp. It is typically a low chirp that should not disturb the household too much. They do not speak as parrots do, so control over the noises they make is low. Many lovebird owners will describe their chirping as calming, though, and it will eventually become white noise that you will get used to.

Opaline Lovebird Colors and Marking

The opaline colorations consist of the lovebird having a red or orange head rather than the peach color that is seen in standard-colored lovebirds. Their wings are typically light green or yellow, and some consist of a mixture of the two. The coloration does not fade into each other, which makes the opaline lovebird stand out among other variations.

There are many different versions of opaline lovebirds, and they can also be labeled as pied or edged dilutes. The opaline lovebird has a faint white coloration separating the head color from the rest of the body. Their features are distinct, and it is easy to determine whether a lovebird has opaline coloration.

Caring for the Opaline Lovebird

Cage Size

Lovebirds may be small, but they require the largest possible cage to thrive. Not only does a large cage enable them to fly and stretch out their wings, but it also helps lower stress by ensuring they do not feel cramped. The cage should be above ground and away from other pets like dogs or cats. The general minimum-sized cage for a pair of lovebirds is 20 inches long and 25 inches tall. This also allows you to add in enough toys to keep them busy and enriched. The more lovebirds that you plan to keep, the larger the cage should be.

Grooming

Lovebirds typically groom each other. This is a form of bonding and can help relax both birds. They will also take baths in shallow bowls of fresh water. This behavior is natural, and they will bathe more often in the summertime so they can cool themselves down. You do not have to bathe them yourselves, and you should not use any form of shampoo unless otherwise advised by an avian vet.

Companionship

Lovebirds do not have to be kept together, but it will make them harder to tame, and they will miss out on the natural bond between their kind. It is best to keep them in a male and female pair or same-sex groups. Even if they get plenty of interaction with their humans, they will still not achieve the safety and bond they will feel with other lovebirds.

Common Health Problems

These birds do not get many health problems if they are healthy and kept in the right conditions. Keeping your lovebirds healthy is simple if you always keep them in a clean cage with fresh food and water available. They are prone to developing several diseases that are common among many types of pet birds.

The following diseases are common in birds are fighting or kept out in cold temperatures. They also are spread through different birds, unclean environments, and rotting food. These health issues are serious and require immediate treatment from an avian vet.

Diet and Nutrition

Lovebirds are granivores and frugivores. In the wild, they will consume foods like seeds, berries, fruits, nuts, grains, corn, maize, grasses, and leaf buds. This is quite a varied diet, and it should be replicated in captivity to ensure optimal nutrition. A high-quality lovebird seed mix will suffice as a staple diet. You should supplement their diet with fresh fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, zucchini, broccoli, mango, and papaya. The base of the opaline lovebird’s diet should consist of 60% to 80% seed and pellet mixtures, and the other percentage should be made up of fresh foods.

Exercise

The main type of exercise and enrichment your opaline lovebird should receive is through toys and a large amount of space in their cage. Your lovebirds should be able to fly to different areas of the cage with ease. This means without them knocking into toys or other lovebirds. Birds love to stretch their wings and it also allows for relaxation. Your lovebird will become stressed if they do not get enough exercise or mental stimulation. Time out of the cage is also important and they should be allowed to fly around a small, bird-proofed room.

Where to Adopt or Buy an Opaline Lovebird

You can adopt or purchase an opaline lovebird from most pet stores that sell different types of parrots and birds. They can charge a minimum of $50 per bird, but high-grade opaline lovebird colors will cost more. Before you decide to purchase an opaline lovebird, you should check if local avian shelters have one up for adoption. The adoption fee is typically low and is in place to help support the rescue or shelter. If you are looking for high-grade opalines with rare colors, an ethical breeder is the next best option. Breeders will typically sell opaline lovebirds for $100 to $250.

Final Thoughts

Opaline lovebirds can make a great addition to your family. Their small bodies are full of personality, and they are typically easy pets to care for. It is recommended to take your bird to an avian vet to get their wings clipped every few months. This will prevent them from flying long distances in the instance that they escape out of an open window or door. If you have a love for birds and want to add a colorful parrot to your home, the opaline lovebird is the perfect option.

You may want to read this next:

• Violet Lovebird
• Blue Peach-Faced Lovebird

Featured Image Credit: Wasipongkorn, Shutterstock