Birds make good pets, and it’s thrilling to have our backyards filled with them year-round. However, have you ever wondered how it’s possible to have the same bird come to your garden year after year or tried to figure out how old it is? Well, you have come to the right place. This article answers the question, How long do small birds live?
On average, small birds live for between 5 and 50 years. The lifespans of birds differ from one species to another. In addition, the lifespan depends on the nature of the care that the bird receives. Thus, a large gap is seen between the number of years small pet birds live and those in the wild.
The following are some of the factors that can influence the lifespan of birds:
1. Body Size of the Bird
Large-sized birds will live longer than those with smaller bodies. Small birds have a high metabolism rate to generate more energy and heat to keep them warm. Thus, their body cells wear off faster than their counterparts.
2. Occurrence of Accidents
Injuries from collisions can lead to death, thus cutting short a bird’s life.
The mortality rate is higher in young chicks attempting to fly than in those that have been flying around for some time.
3. Being Preyed On By Predators
Some species of birds are more vulnerable to predators. This makes it hard to find older birds of a given species, as they don’t survive to old age.
4. Nature of the Bird’s Habitat
Birds in captivity live longer than those in the wild, as they receive more care and can easily receive medical attention in case of any ailments.
Those in urban areas die quicker than those in non-urban areas due to collisions, cat predation, reduced habitat, noise stress, and light pollution.
The nesting habits also matter a lot, as birds that nest on the ground have a shorter lifespan due to predation than those that live in trees and bushes.
Island birds live longer than those on the mainland that get hunted by humans.
5. Presence of Environmental Threats
Climate change impacts food availability. Severe weather, storms, fires, and hurricanes can affect birds’ lifespans as they can kill and destroy habitats and food sources, leading to starvation.
6. Clutch Size
Birds with a longer lifespan have smaller clutches because they have more chances of reproducing. Whereas those with shorter lives lay more eggs to increase the chance of having more offspring, thus evading extinction.
7. Maturity Age of the Bird
Short-lived birds reach maturity and start breeding quicker than longer-lived birds.
8. Exposure to Diseases
Wild birds are prone to diseases because no one can take them to the veterinarian. Common infectious diseases such as Avian Box, Salmonella, and Chlamydiosis usually kill off many birds each year. Whereby older and juvenile birds are largely affected.
As flock birds spread diseases quickly due to their closeness, they are likely to die in large numbers.
How Long Does a Small Bird Live As a Pet?
The lifespan of pet birds ranges from 5 to 50 years.
Most pets last at least 20 years, and it is common to have 25- to 30-year-old pet birds.
Pet birds live longer than birds in the wild, as they:
1. Are provided with high-quality bird food.
2. Get involved in several physical activities that help them keep fit.
3. Receive care and more attention from their owners.
4. They are not easily preyed on by predators.
What Pet Bird Has The Shortest Lifespan?
The finches and budgies rank the highest among the shortest-living pets.
Finches
So how long does a finch live?
Finches live for an average of 4 years, while the oldest can live up to 11 years.
Different species of finches also have different lifespans, for example:
1. Zebra finches live for an average of 5–9 years.
2. Goulding finches have an average lifespan of 8–12 years
Budgies
These are the best pets to keep if you want a short-term bird, as they live for an average of 8–10 years.
5 Factors Influencing How Long Birds Live as Pets
1. Diet
Poor nutrition leads to premature deaths resulting from a compromised immune system.
Feeding your bird only a seed-based diet can negatively affect its health due to inadequate nutrients.
2. Cleanliness
Birds produce a lot of waste, and their cages can get messy quickly.
If the cage is not cleaned regularly, it can become a breeding ground for pathogens, which can lead to infections.
3. Socialization
Lack of interaction can lead to stress arising from boredom. If this continues for a prolonged period, it can negatively affect your bird’s health and cause sickness or even death.
Hence, ensure your bird has a companion, or you have frequent interaction with it.
4. Enrichment
To avoid boredom, allow your bird to forage for food. Also, provide it with enough toys for mental stimulation and exercise.
5. Inappropriate Cage Size
A small cage can limit a bird’s activities because it cannot exercise as it lacks enough space to fly in.
If more than one bird shares the cage, regular fights will be common, which can be stressful for your pets.
How Long Do Outside Birds Live?
Outside birds live for different amounts of time.
They have an average lifespan of 2–20 years, and some can live up to 70 years
How Long Do Backyard Birds Live?
Size matters a lot in the number of years a bird can live.
1. Small Birds
Most small birds live between 2 and 3 years, some up to 15 years, while others, such as robins, do not survive their first year.
2. Medium Birds
Most live for 5-8 years, and some species have a lifespan of up to a maximum of 30 years.
3. Large Birds
Large birds live for an average of 10–20 years. They have a survival advantage over smaller birds due to their size.
How Long Do Hummingbirds and Sparrows Live?
The lifespan of hummingbirds ranges from 3–5 years, and the oldest can live up to 12 years of age.
On the other hand, most sparrows live for an average of 3 years, and some can live for up to 15 years if their lifespans are not interfered with.
How Old Is the Oldest Bird to Live?
The oldest bird, by the name of Cocky Bennett, is believed to have lived to 120 years, and the one currently living is 114 years old. The birds’ ages have not yet been proven, as it is unknown when they were exactly hatched.
Cockatoo Cookie lived 83 years with documented proof before he passed away.
What Bird Lives 100 Years
The longest-living birds have lifespans of 50 years. Which is common only in captivity as they don’t face biological and ecological threats.
Macaws have the longest lifespans and, if they are in good health, can live up to 80–100 years.
How Long Do Budgie Parakeets Live?
Budgie parakeets can live for an average of 5–12 years, while some can live up to 18 years. The oldest parakeet, Charlie, is 29 years old.
In the case of ringneck parakeets, they can live for up to 25–30 years.