Yes, as you have found out, two same sex birds in captivity will bond as if they were a male & female, and often they will mate, and if both females, one or both may lay eggs.
Two females will sometimes lay eggs and incubate them together, even though the eggs are not fertile. So keep this in mind when caging birds together.
A female lovebird will lay an egg with or without a mate when she is around 9–12 months of age. Of course, without a mate, the eggs laid will be infertile. Sometimes people end up buying two females or two males.
Lovebirds can be particular about their companions, but two female lovebirds can bond and become a pair -- it frequently happens when two female birds are inadvertently housed together. Two male lovebirds can also bond. Meanwhile, even paired male and female lovebirds must get along as cage mates to breed.
The male lovebird makes sounds like "click, click" with his beak and moves around the female. He puts his foot on her wings and grabs them for climbing on her back. The female opens her wings to balance his weight. Then, mating follows.
If you notice your bird being overly affectionate, cooing, regurgitating foods, biting, and acting out of the norm, then they're getting ready to mate. If you have a pair of birds and one gets on top of the other, that's a good sign they are "doing the deed" of mating.
Often after a long separation or stressful period of time, breeding pairs of lovebirds feed each other to re-establish their bond. One bird transfers food to the mouth of its mate, a feeding technique reminiscent of affection in humans—hence the inspiration for the parrots' name.
Lovebirds are very social birds. Generally, it is thought that it is essential for their good health and happiness that they are kept in pairs, not single. If you have a single lovebird, you must provide the necessary social interaction that it is missing from another bird.
They can be very aggressive towards other birds, and even aggressive to their mate. Female lovebirds are usually much more aggressive and territorial than the males. The males are often gentle and quiet and much less likely to bite.
How long do lovebirds live alone? Lovebirds thrive on company and need plenty of attention and stimulation in order to live healthy lives. Even in pairs, captive lovebirds should not be left for longer than 12 hours at a time and they demand a great deal of social interaction.
On average, lovebirds incubate their eggs for about 18-24 days. This can vary by a couple of days in either direction. When attempting to calculate future hatch dates, always count forward from the day that you notice the hen begins to sit on the eggs.
So, no, your scent won't be the reason a bird abandons its nest or young. However, it's a good idea to leave them alone when possible. Touching animals can lead to disease passing between yourself and the animal you're in contact with.
Peach-faced Lovebirds tend to breed from February to April and may breed again in the fall around October. Your Lovebird's age will also affect its laying. A Lovebird can start laying eggs as early as 9 months old, but it is much more common for them to begin laying closer to 18 months of age.
Putting your bird in a different cage and/or changing the cage location can help discourage laying. Changing the arrangement or types of toys, dishes, and perches in the cage can also be very helpful.
The hen loses a lot of calcium and protein when forming and laying each egg, so if she feels too depleted, she eats her own eggs to replace the nutrition.
Small species (like Canaries, Doves, Finches, Lovebirds and Parakeets) deserve wider cages because these birds travel side-to-side. Medium and larger birds have a different set of needs so let's apply some common sense.
Why do lovebirds make paper tails? It may look good, but it's all about housekeeping; the birds are tucking the paper away for safekeeping so they can use it later as material to build a nest.
Lovebirds Don't Require a Partner
Although these highly social birds travel in flocks in the wild and often are kept in pairs as pets, it is possible to have a single bird that will thrive. In fact, a solitary lovebird will bond deeply with a person who invests time and patience in its care and training.
Lovebirds need approximately 12 hours of sleep and just like people, a lovebird devoid of sleep can be cranky! Lighting – Your lovebird requires exposure to ultraviolet light on a daily basis.
Answer: If your furry pets are comfortable with you and your house, they won't mind the birds. You can let them fly out and supervise the interactions between the birds, dogs, and cats. If you find discomfort, put them back in their cage. Do this on a daily basis, and your pets will get comfortable with each other.
Birds fluff up their feathers to keep warm, and also when they relax for sleep ... and also when sick. A bird who sits puffed up much of the day is likely in trouble. Tail-bobbing when breathing. Birds who sit there puffed up, bobbing their tails, may be sick.
Another species of birds, lovebirds, often appear to be kissing when they're close to each other. What they're actually doing is preening each other. In general, the pair will preen the facial and head feathers of the other bird because these areas are out of reach when self-preening.
Depending on their species, a bird will make loud noises. However, a sudden increase in screaming and screeching may indicate that a bird is stressed, unhappy, or bored. Just as biting can be indicative of pain or discomfort, so can screaming.
If this companion is perceived as a mate you might witness a very elaborate courtship dance. Female lovebirds will spread their wings out, lift their tail and spin in a circle as they emit some quiet repetitive sounds.