Many and detailed observations have been made of most lovebirds in the wild. The least-known lovebird is the black-collared, which is a forest bird and therefore difficult to observe and study. Black-collareds live in small groups of up to 12 birds, high in the tops of trees, and they seldom come down to the forest floor. They feed principally on rice, half-ripe corn, and figs. Experience has shown that these birds cannot be kept alive in captivity, so they are only of theoretical interest to the bird fancier. They were discovered in 1862 by Mr. O.J Selby.

Other lovebirds live principally in open landscape and high in the mountains. They always stay quite close to water as they are heavy drinkers. In this, they differ from other types of parrots and parakeets, which drink water only rarely. Lovebirds are adapted to living close to humans and are seen in great numbers on cultivated fields, to the understandable annoyance of the local farmers.

The peach-faced lovebirds has a rather large range on the west coast of Southwestern Africa, where small flocks can be found high in the mountains up to 5000 feat (1500m) above sea level. The masked lovebird, by contrast, has a restricted range, as does the Fischer's. Their combined range is barely 100 miles (160km) Both species live in small groups, not only in meadowland, but also high in the mountains, up to an altitude of 5500 feet (1650m). The Nyasa lovebird will range even higher; they have been sighted at an altitude of 6300 feet (1900m).

The Abyssinian moves in small flocks of 4 to 20 birds through the plateaus and the light forests and can be found up to an altitude of an amazing 10,000 feet (3000 m). It likes to snack on the berries of juniper bushes and feast on fruit of fig trees. This species seems to be least attracted to humans. It is considerably less likely to spread into human habitations than, for example, the red-faced and the Madagascar.

Madagascar lovebirds are common especially along the shore of Madagascar. Some years ago it was introduced on Mauritius, the Comoro Islands, Rodriguez, Zanzibar, Mafia Island, and the Seychelles.

The red-faced lovebird has the biggest range of all - the entire savanna region of Central Africa. It lives in small groups that feed on figs, berries, grass and weed seed, and occasionally grain. During most of the day, it feeds on the ground. Red-faced lovebirds are great walkers that constantly chatter to each other.