How Long do Parrots Live? Parrot Lifespan Chart in Summer 2022
Parrots are a fantastic pet that can stay with you for nearly your entire life. That being said they are also a very big commitment. Parrots, while they are a fantastic pet that can be very loving and caring, they are also very time consuming and can be difficult for some to handle. Knowing a bit about how long do parrots live may help you determine what type of parrot you may want and what type is best for you. Each parrot lifespan is different dependent not only on species but also on the particular bird.
There are approximately 393 parrot species. Not all are pets. Here we will cover the parrot lifespan of the most common pet parrots. We will also talk about how you can help your pet parrot live a long and healthy life.
In the Wild
When you think about the question “How long do parrots live?” you usually think about the pet parrots. We often forget that parrots of all types come from tropical and sub-tropical areas around the world and most live in the wild. The parrot lifespan in the wild is not as long as it is for pet parrots. In the wild, many parrots don’t make it to breeding age and many more live only ten or fifteen years. This is because life in the wild is much harder.
Food can be hard to find in some areas and because most parrots live in groups, there may not be enough to go around. Birds and their eggs also become victims of other animals who are looking for a meal. Humans are the biggest threat to wild parrots. Humans hunt them, capture them to sell as pets, and often take over the area where these birds have lived for hundreds of years. This makes them live less time than they are capable of. In the wild, birds that live over fifty years as pets may not live past fifteen or twenty years.
Things That Effect Lifespan
There are many things that help a pet parrot live a long life. Let’s look at some of the most important one.
1. Size – Unlike dogs, which live longer the smaller they are, parrots that are bigger live longer. A small bird such as a parakeet may only live fifteen years but a large Amazon can live to be almost eighty years old.
2. Diet – Parrots need a lot of different foods to be healthy. A bird that only gets seeds will not live as long as one that gets a lot of different foods such as vegetables, fruits, and cooked pasta. A diet rich in variety will make sure your parrot has all the vitamins it needs for a healthy life and beautiful feathers.
3. Socialization – Parrots live in groups in the wild. They need time to play and interact with their human. They need toys to keep them interested and make them think. Parrots are some of the smartest animals in the world and bored parrots often become sad and ill.
4. Origin – It is important that you get your bird from a breeder that is open to you looking at the area they live in. This way, you know they are being bred in a healthy environment and not as likely to be ill when you get bring them home.
5. Illness – A vet that is able to take care of birds is important. Birds need regular checkups. They are also able to catch some human illnesses like colds and the flu. It is important that you cover your mouth when you are sick so they do not catch the bug. With a healthy diet and regular visits to a vet, your parrot will live longer.
6. Cage – A cage that is too small will cause your bird to feel sad and it may get sick. You need to have a cage that is big enough for him to spread his wings, climb and hang upside down at times. He needs to have the cage kept clean. Bacteria can quickly grow in a dirty cage and this will shorten your parrot’s life. You also need to give him several different toys to play with. Parrots are most likely to be happy if they are allowed to come out of their cages for a part of the day.
With a few common sense things like a clean cage and plenty of attention, you can make it possible for your parrot to live as long as possible. You need to make sure your parrot is happy. Just like people, a sad bird will start to feel sick and may die way too early. Now, let’s take a look at what the average lifespan of some of the most common parrots are.
How Long Do Parrots Live?
Nobody can tell you exactly how long any one bird will live but if you provide the healthy, happy living space a parrot needs, you can see them living an average age as shown in the following list.
1. Lovebirds Lifespan: these birds tend to live around 10 years in the wild but in some cases can even live up to 15 years in the wild. In captivity these birds do tend to live longer at around 20 years on average for a captive lovebird.
2. White Cockatoo Lifespan: this little bird is the white cockatoo with the yellow crown that is common in pet stores if you are looking for a great little bird. In the wild they live to be about 30 years old. In captivity however they live to be 40-60 years old.
3. Lorikeets Lifespan: these brightly colored birds live around 15 years in the wild because they are so small and so susceptible to predators. In captivity they can live up to 30 years which is impressive for such a small species.
4. Parakeets Lifespan (also called budgies or budgerigars): these beautiful little gems live on average 7-14 years and can live up to 20 years in captivity if properly taken care of.
5. Parrotlets Lifespan: these lovely little birds can live up to 20 years or more in captivity though they only live about 15 years in the wild. Again, this bird is smaller so it is more susceptible to predators and to being killed in the wild.
6. Senegal Parrot Lifespan: these green and yellow parrots can live up to 30 years in the wild due to natural circumstances and can live up to 50 years in captivity if properly cared for.
7. Caique Lifespan: these small, brightly colored parrots tend to live around 15 years in the wild and can live between 20-30 years in captivity with particular lifespans varying from each individual bird.
8. Green-cheek Conure Lifespan: these birds are more susceptible to certain diseases like Conure bleeding syndrome that comes from a lack of vitamin k. they can live up to 20-25 years in captivity and far less in the wild.
9. Sun Conure Lifespan: these birds are brightly colored with orange and yellow and can live up to 30 years in captivity with their lifespan in the wild being around 15 to 20 years in the wild.
10. Cockatiel Lifespan: these birds only live about 10 to 14 years in the wild but can live up to 20 years in captivity with the oldest recorded cockatiel being 29 years old.
11. Meyer’s Parrot Lifespan: this blue parrot tends to live around 10 to 15 years in the wild but can live up to 25 years or more in captivity with the average being around 25. The oldest recorded Meyer’s parrot was an impressive 35 years old.
12. Quaker (or Monk) Parrot Lifespan: in the wild these parrots live up to 15 years but in captivity they can easily live in excess of 30 years when they are taken proper care of.
13. Cockatoos Lifespan: this bird commonly lives up to 30 years in the wild with a lifespan of up to and even exceeding in some cases, the age of 40-60 years in captivity. These birds can be large or small dependent on the sub species that you choose to adopt.
14. Eclectus Parrot Lifespan: these parrots live around 15 years in the wild but can easily live up to 30 years and more in captivity if they are taken care of properly.
15. Green Winged Macaw Lifespan: this bird can live up to about 30 years in the wild and over 70 years in captivity. These birds are stunning to look at and are fantastic for those that want a beautiful bird that is going to be very loving.
16. African Greys Lifespan: this is one of the longest living parrot species with those in captivity easily living to be up to 80 years old. In the wild they live up to 50 years and beyond. They are rare and there are not that many left in the wild.
17. Hyacinth Macaw Lifespan: these are the brightly colored parrots that we all love to look at, they can live up to 50 years in the wild and then can live around 60 years or more in captivity. These parrots are fantastic for those that want a smart and interactive bird.
18. White-Crested Macaw Lifespan: these incredibly large birds live up to 60 years in the wild and can live up to 50 years in captivity. The oldest recorded living macaw was 112 when it finally passed.
19. Blue and Yellow Macaws Lifespan: this parrot is the big blue and yellow bird we all think of when we think of parrots. In captivity these parrots can live between 50 and 60 years. In the wild these parrots only live for about 30 years because of natural predators and loss of their habitats.
20. Kakapo Parrot Lifespan: this is one of the longest lived species of parrot that has ever been studied. These parrots have a life expectancy of up to 90 years in the wild and longer in captivity. These small parrots are rare and most do not own them as pets.
When you decide to bring a parrot into your home, it is almost like having a child. The thing is, the parrot may be living with you much longer than your kids will. Taking time to research the kind of parrot you are looking at getting is important. It will help you know how many years you may have him as part of your family. It will also help you learn what kind of things are best for it to eat and how much time a healthy, happy bird will need to spend playing with toys and interacting with you. Remember, parrots come from large family groups and you are now his family. When you take time to get to know how to take care of one of these special birds, you will get to have the company of some of the smartest creatures on Earth.
