The phrase “love birds” is commonly used to refer to couples who are very affectionate or inseparable. But where did this term originate from? In this article, we’ll explore the history and meaning behind this popular phrase.
What Are Love Birds?
“Love birds” typically refers to romantic couples who are constantly together and openly affectionate. They seem blissfully in love and attached at the hip. But the phrase can also literally refer to affectionate bird species that form monogamous pair bonds.
There are 9 species of birds that are known as “love birds”:
Species | Description |
---|---|
Fischer’s Lovebird | Small parrot native to Africa. Forms close bonds with mates. |
Black-cheeked Lovebird | Parrot native to southwest Africa. Lifelong pairs. |
Red-faced Lovebird | Parrot native to Namibia and Angola. Mate for life. |
Peach-faced Lovebird | Parrot native to Africa. Affectionate mates. |
Masked Lovebird | Parrot native to Madagascar. Monogamous pairs. |
Grey-headed Lovebird | Parrot native to Africa. Forms close pairs. |
Madagascar Lovebird | Parrot native to Madagascar. Lifelong mates. |
Abyssinian Lovebird | Parrot native to East Africa. Loyal pairs. |
Agapornis Lovebird | Small parrots native to Africa. Mate for life. |
These parrot species are known for forming very close, affectionate bonds with their mates. Many love bird types will stick with a single lifelong partner. Their devoted attachments remind people of human couples in love.
Origins of “Love Birds” for Couples
The association of loving couples with love birds dates back centuries. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it became fashionable for wealthy ladies to keep small pet birds. Popular companion birds included finches, parakeets, and love birds from Africa and Asia.
Love birds were one of the most preferred species to keep. Their exotic colors, small size, and capacity to form affectionate pairs made them highly desirable. Pet owners particularly enjoyed watching their birds sitting closely together while making continuous kissing noises.
These charming behaviors led people to nickname love birds as “kissing birds.” Over time, the birds became symbolic of romantic love and intimacy. People began using the terms “love bird” or “love birds” to refer to human couples kissing, cuddling, or openly showing affection like the birds.
Literary References to Love Birds
By the 17th century, the association between loving couples and love birds was well established. Many literary works used “love birds” to refer to romantic pairs. Here are some early examples:
- In Act 3 of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale (1610), a stage direction reads, “Enter two Love-birds.” This refers to two human lovers.
- In John Dryden’s poem The Cock and the Fox (1668), he wrote: “Love birds of any feather.” Referring to compatible human sweethearts.
- In Gulliver’s Travels (1726) by Jonathan Swift, he describes married couples as “love-birds.”
- The English novel Pamela (1740) by Samuel Richardson refers to a newlywed couple as “tender love-birds.”
By the Victorian era in the 1800s, “love bird” was a well established trope in English literature and poetry. Romantic cards and Valentine’s Day postcards from the late 1800s often featured illustrations of love birds to symbolize sweethearts.
Evolution of Meaning in Modern Usage
Today, the meaning of “love birds” remains essentially the same. It refers to an intensely romantic, affectionate couple. However, over the centuries, some nuances and connotations have evolved:
- Originally very literal, referring specifically to love bird pets. Now mainly just symbolic slang.
- Applies to both dating couples as well as established partners and spouses.
- Often suggests a new relationship in the intense, blissful honeymoon stage.
- Can have a slightly negative connotation – implying the partners are overly obsessed, attached, or public about PDA.
While the core denotation is still positive, “love birds” may sometimes imply the couple is over the top. But it remains a widely used phrase to describe romantic pairs like nesting love birds.
Conclusion
The term “love birds” emerged in the 1500s and 1600s, when actual love bird pets like parrots were seen as symbols of romantic love. People began using the nickname for human couples who were as affectionate and inseparable as mating pet birds. By the Victorian era, “love birds” was firmly established in literature and culture as a trope for any intensely passionate, loving couple. The phrase remains popular today to describe couples in the throes of new love and PDA – though it can also carry slightly negative connotations of being overly obsessive or sappy.
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Love Birds in Music and Pop Culture
The “love birds” theme has been widely used in popular music and culture over the past century. Romantic songs, films, TV shows, and books often reference love birds to represent idealized couples in affectionate, devoted relationships:
- “Love Birds” – song by Annette Hanshaw, 1926
- “Two Sleepy People” – song by Hoagy Carmichael, 1938, refers to a couple as “love birds”
- To Have and Have Not – 1944 film starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall as a flirtatious love bird couple
- “Love Birds” – song by Patsy Cline, 1961
- Love Birds – 1963 romantic comedy film starring Senta Berger
- “Love Birds” – song by Paul McCartney, 1993
- Love Birds – 2000 romantic novel by M.E. Kerr
Today, “love bird” references continue to appear across media in songs, movies, TV, books, and more. It remains a shorthand way to describe the dream couple – heads over heels, mutually obsessed, constantly kissing and nuzzling like the actual birds do. The popular dating app Lovebirds also adopted the term for its name and branding.
Pet Love Birds Today
While not as common as in centuries past, some people still keep love birds as pets today. Species such as the peach-faced love bird, Fischer’s love bird, and masked lovebird remain popular companion birds. Their small size, striking colors, capacity for learning tricks, and animated, affectionate nature make them appealing pets. Key facts about love bird pets:
- Average lifespan 10-15 years with proper care
- Require large cages with room to fly
- Need daily interaction and play time outside cage
- Eat pellet diets supplemented with fruits/veggies
- Thrive in pairs – will bond with human owners or other love birds
- Known for exhibitions of affection like billing, preening, neck stroking
- Can learn to talk, but not extensively like larger parrots
- Some species better than others at mimicry and tricks
For owners willing to properly care for them, love birds can be fun, lively companion pets. Their bonds with both human caretakers and other love birds remain as sweetly endearing today as when they first became known as symbols of romantic affection centuries ago.
Expressions of Love Around the World
While love bird imagery originated in Europe, cultures worldwide have developed metaphors to represent romantic love. Different animals, objects, or concepts become woven into local language and traditions as symbols of affection between couples. Some examples include:
Country/Region | Love Metaphor | Meaning |
---|---|---|
China | Mandarin ducks | Represent lifelong couples |
India | Kama’s arrows | Pierce hearts and cause love |
France | Red roses | Symbolize romance and passion |
Mexico | Two hummingbirds | Sharing affection as they feed on flowers |
Poland | Two turtle doves | Symbolize faithfulness and love |
Just as love birds represent idealized romance in English, cultures worldwide have their own symbolic creatures and objects signifying love. These metaphors appear across folklore, poetry, song, literature, art, and language – Passed down through generations as part of each culture’s traditions.
Famous Couples Nicknamed “Love Birds”
Throughout history, celebrity couples displaying abundant affection have been christened “love birds” by fans and media. Here are some of the most famous pairs to earn the nickname:
- Johnny Cash and June Carter – Married musicians whose duets showed their chemistry
- Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz – Legendary TV couple; their real love was evident on screen
- Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall – On-screen chemistry in their 1940s films led to real romance
- Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward – Called “love birds” for their long, stable marriage of 50 years
- Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach – The former Beatle found love with the Bond girl in the 1980s
- Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes – Dubbed “love birds” by media during their early, overly public romance
- Jay-Z and BeyoncĂ© – Hip hop’s foremost power couple has always displayed abundant PDA
- Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher – Former co-stars turned real-life “love birds” who gush about their marriage
Part of earning “love birds” status is the ability to openly show one’s affection. Through their behavior in public and on camera, celebrity couples demonstrate the kind of visible passion that evokes comparisons to billing-and-cooing birds nestled closely together.
Signs Someone is in a “Love Bird” Romance
How can you tell if someone in your life is part of a “love bird” couple? There are some telltale signs:
- Constant public displays of affection – hand-holding, kissing, cuddling, etc.
- Speaking in cute pet names for each other
- Gazing adoringly at each other
- Becoming attached at the hip; doing everything together
- Gushing over each other constantly on social media
- Getting lost in their own world as if no one else exists
- Unable to stop talking about how amazing their partner is
- Sharing how head-over-heels in love they are
Someone deep in a “love bird” romance tends to make their feelings abundantly clear through their affectionate behaviors and words. Just like actual love birds, they sit closely together, stare into each other’s eyes, and seem blissfully preoccupied with their mate over anyone else.
Portraying Real Love Without the cheese
While the “love bird” stereotype implies over-the-top PDA and obsession, it is possible for couples to demonstrate deep affection without being cheesy. Some tips include:
- Engage in regular one-on-one bonding time without isolating from others
- Give genuine compliments without grossly excessive praise
- Hold hands or subtly connect in public instead of constant making out
- Express real interest in each other’s lives outside the romance
- Share sincere thoughts and feelings without gushing superlatives
- Enjoy true intimacy, not just performing for show
- Remain considerate of those around you, not lost in your own bubble
- Show support for each other’s interests and needs
Healthy couples in love can nurture their bond while still maintaining balance in other friendships and pursuits. Mature love birds keep a grounded perspective amid the exhilaration of new romance – staying present in the relationship without letting it become their sole fixation.