Is it okay to cross lovebird species?
No. The various lovebird groupings have been subject to tremendous hybridization in the past in order to develop new colors. However, this was usually accomplished through the hands of skilled, knowledgeable experts. The problem is that many breeders undoubtedly tried the same thing (introducing a new color or a new mutation) and when they lost patience or interest, the cross bred birds were improperly disposed of, going to the pet mart instead of being destroyed. Today many beautiful examples of the color variation exists in a number of races, the eye-ring being the most prevalent. Unfortunately, the eye-ring group is also the most pressed in terms of loss of territory, loss of population and on-going climactic and human pressures. The aim of transmutation and hybridizing must be clear and it should be valued for what it has accomplised, but breeders need to know that they must always be careful and vigilant of maintain the purity of their stock and the ongoing beauty of the various t
