Parakeets and lovebirds can mate if they were to build a strong bond but, due to the fact that they are both completely different genetically, the possibility of creating offspring as a result of mating wouldn’t be possible. This is because even though both are parrots, they fall under a genus that are too different genetically for hybrids to be created.

Why Can’t Lovebirds And Parakeets Mate?

Theoretically speaking lovebirds and parakeet could mate as both birds do fall in love even with their owners who are a completely different specie to them. Therefore, two parrots of a relatively similar size mating isn’t too out there a concept, it’s just that they wouldn’t be able to produce offspring.

The main reason why is because both are entirely different genetically despite both being parrots that fall under the Psittaciformes family.

What separates them is the genus they fall under. Parakeets occupy the genus Melopsitticus Gould whilst lovebirds are a part of the genus Agapornis.

When you also take into account the areas that they live in with the budgerigars native habitat being Australia and lovebirds (besides the Madagascar variant) present in Africa, the genetics connecting the two would be incompatible by now.

The last potential ancestor linking the 2 together genetically probably goes way back and now it’s so diluted that nothing can be created as a result of mating despite the prospect of a companionship potentially forming.

Can Parakeets Mate With Other Birds?

Yes, parakeets can mate with other birds that will also result in offspring. However, they must be genetically similar to them and fall within the same genus as them.

It’s worth noting that there are 393 different parrots that fall within 92 genera and as long another parrot falls within the same genera as a parakeet, which is the Melopsitticus genus, creating offspring is possible.

Therefore, your average budgie could mate with a monk parakeet which are birds that fall under the same genus classification and in turn are relatively similar genetically.

Irby J. Lovette, director of the Fuller Evolutionary Biology Program at the Cornell Lab Of Ornithology, stated that about 10% of the 10,000 bird species out in the wild are known to have bred with another specie.

Considering hybrid birds make up around 10% of all birds out there causing the diversity in colors and plumages among bird kind, it only makes sense that parakeets can mate with a variety of other birds within their genus, even if them doing so is far from a common occurrence.

Can Lovebirds Mate With Other Birds?

The same would apply for lovebirds, as in they would be able to mate with other birds within the same genus as them.

As long as the birds are similar in regards to their genetics then it would be possible fo a lovebird specie to mate with another one.

Beyond that, they could also mate with other birds outside of their genus if a strong bond is built between however, it’s just that no offspring will come about as a result in acts of love.

Would There Be Any Side Effects If They Did Mate?

There won’t be any real side effects from the 2 birds mating but, there could be a problems if say one or both birds already have a partner and the two start mating despite that.

Scuffles of some sort may occur in these situation but any serious adverse side effects would be unlikely.

Furthermore, lovebirds (especially the females) can be very aggressive when hormonal so there is a chance that both parrots wouldn’t even be friendly, let alone build a bond to the level where they are genuinely willing to mate.

Summary

Lovebirds and parakeets are not genetically compatible therefore, they would not be able to mate and produce offspring.

However, they could still theoretically mate but, the chances of that happening isn’t very high due to the more aggressive temperaments of lovebirds.

Nevertheless, I guess you could say that if a parakeet and lovebird were to build a strong companionship, they could mate with each other.