How long can birds live?

If a bird lasts long enough, however, the probability of it dying in a given year may once again rise. Common Terns reach old age after about 19 years, and their annual risk of dying then goes up. Life expectancy in birds is closely correlated with size -- the larger the species, the longer it is likely to live. read more

Precise information on the longevity of birds is not easy to come by. It is usually impossible to follow large groups of individuals from hatching to death, so in addition to collecting data directly by banding and recapturing individuals, many indirect methods of estimating age are used. read more

Bird life expectancies and lifespans can vary greatly, and while ornithologists do not yet have conclusive data available to predict how long birds will live, understanding the factors that affect bird longevity is the first step every birder can take to helping birds live long, healthy lives. read more

While it's true that birds can and do live for quite a long time, some live longer than others. Birds like budgies and cockatiels, for example, can live for up to 20 years in captivity provided that their needs are met and they are well cared for. read more