All about Birds
How Long Do Parrots Live? Can parrots live 100 years?
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So how long do Parrots actually live?
Well, the average life of parrots depends on the species of the parrot in question. The range can be as few as six to eight years or over ninety years.
The life span of parrots can be dependant on the bird’s natural habitat, their access to food and water, and the number of natural predators.
Take a look at the different types of parrots, how long they live, and where they are from below.
African Grey Parrot
The African Grey Parrot has a lifespan of up to eighty years.
They are native to Africa and can be found in the following countries: Angola, Congo, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Amazon Parrot
Amazon Parrots live anywhere from fifty to sixty years.
They can be found in the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America.
Blue and Gold Macaw
Macaws can live up to one hundred years old, but their typical lifespan is between eighty and ninety years.
Like the Amazon Parrot, they can be found in the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America.
Cockatiel
Cockatiels are on the lower end of the parrot lifespan scale. They typically live up to twenty years.
Cockatiels are found in Australia, specifically on the Cape York Peninsula and in western deserts.
Cockatoo
Cockatoos live up to seventy years.
They call Asian countries (specifically the Philippines and Indonesia), New Zealand, and Australia home.
Conure
Of the birds on this list, the Conure has the shortest lifespan at just six to eight years.
They are typically found in central and South America.
Eclectus Parrot
The Eclectus Parrot will live anywhere from thirty to forty years.
They are native to Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands.
Hawk Headed Parrot
The Hawk Headed Parrot can live up to fifty years and lives in many South American countries.
Green Wing Macaw
The Green Wing Macaw has a lifespan that is less than the Blue Macaw, at just sixty years. They are found in the northern and central parts of South America.
See Also: Amazing Must-Know Facts About The Curious and Colorful Red Rump Parakeet
What Impacts how long a parrot lives?
Parrots are classified in the Animalia kingdom, Chordata phylum, Aves class, Psittaciformes order, and Psittacidae family. There are more than 350 known species of parrots in the sixty genera.
Parrots live in a variety of habitats, including tropical areas, rain forests, grasslands, and mountains. are native to every continent, with the exception of Antarctica and Europe.
Their greatest defense mechanism from predators is their ability to fly away from danger. One thing that they are not able to escape is the destruction of their habitat.
When their habitats are destroyed their lifespan is greatly impacted and will decrease.
Parrots will eat both meat and plants, they are omnivores. Their diets mainly consist of nuts, seeds, insects, fruits, and flower buds.
They are able to crack the shells of hard nuts and fruits with their strong beaks. Parrots are also able to use their beaks to dig into the ground to find insects.
In general, parrots form strong bonds with each other. They will mate for life and only seek a new mate if something happens to theirs, like death.
When breeding, parrots (specifically Macaws) will lay up to four eggs once per year.
The conservation status of these parrots is as follows:
- African Grey Parrot – protected; endangered
- Amazon Parrot – population decreasing
- Blue and Bold Macaw – protected; least concern
- Cockatiel – least concern
- Cockatoo – population decreasing; critically endangered
- Conure – population decreasing; endangered
- Eclectus Parrot – least concern
- Hawk Headed Parrot – least concern
- Green Wing Macaw – population decreasing; least concern
How to Help Your Parrot Live Longer
Simple ways to help your parrot live longer include making sure they always have access to fresh, clean water, ensuring a proper, balanced diet, and cleaning their dwelling space regularly.
Other ways to help your pet live a longer and healthier life may not be as obvious. Many times owners use a cage that is too small for the bird.
Make sure your parrot has plenty of room to move around. Take them out of their cage regularly to help them get plenty of exercise.
When your pet parrot is out, make sure that they are in a safe space and away from any potential dangers.
Birds can be seriously injured if they fly into a running fan or are not able to distinguish that a window is not open.
Famous Old Parrots
Winston Churchill’s parrot, Charlie, a blue and gold Macaw might be one of the longest living parrots. She is somewhat of a celebrity at Heathfield Nurseries where she now resides. She is still alive at the ripe old age of 114.
Cookie, a cockatoo, made it into the Guinness Book of World Records in 2014 for being the oldest parrot at 83 years old. He passed away in 2016.
The Guinness Book of World Records now recognizes Poncho the Green Winged Macaw as the world’s oldest parrot. He took the title from Cookie and was 92 when he passed away.
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FAQs
How long do parrots live as pets?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym5yvQukuLA
The length of time that parrots live as pets varies from species to species. When well taken care of some parrots have been able to outlive their species’ average known lifespan.
Some species of parrots will only live for five years in captivity, while others can live to seventy five years, or more!
What is the maximum age of a parrot?
The maximum age of a parrot is believed to be 118 years old. They have expected life spans that can range from fifty to eighty years.
The longest living parrot on record was 92; however, some claim that there are parrots that are even older.
Why do parrots live so long?
Parrots live long lives in part due to their high metabolic rate, being able to fly away from predators, and ability to eat a variety in their diet.
How long do birds live on average?
This question is best answered by individual species, but generally speaking, twenty years is the average lifespan of birds.
