Scientists have found it difficult to determine exactly how long birds live for. Unlike humans, where one can easily notice old age, for birds, it is entirely a different story.
It is also impossible to follow large groups of birds from hatching to death. Remember birds are migratory creatures hence it’s not easy to keep up with them.
The life expectancy of birds however is estimated using banding and other indirect methods.
With that said, here are some estimated averages for some popular birds;
Cardinal birds have an average lifespan of 3 years in the wild and can live up to 30 years in captivity
Hummingbirds live for 3 to 5 years in the wild and up to 14 years in captivity.
Canary birds have an average lifespan of 8 to 15 years in the wild and live for 10 to 15 years in captivity.
The Average Lifespan of a Bird
Here is a summary of how long birds live for on average.
| Type of bird | Average lifespan (wild) | Average lifespan (captivity) |
|---|---|---|
| Parakeets/budgies | 7 to 14 years | 20 years |
| Hummingbirds | 3 to 5 years | 14 years |
| Lovebirds | 10 to 15 years | 20 years |
| Canary birds | 8-10 years | 10-15 years |
| Garden birds | 2-5 years | 20 years |
| Cardinal birds | 3 years | Up to 30 years |
| Mynah birds | 4 years | 12 to 25 years |
| Blackbirds | 4 years | 20 years |
| Cockatiel | 10 to 14 years | 15 to 20 years |
| Robin | 5-6 years | 14-17 years |
| Conure | 10 to 20 years | 25-30 years |
| Red birds | 3-15 years | 28 years |
| Starling birds | 2-3 years | 20 years |
| African grey | Up to 80 years | 50 years |
| Butcher birds | 8 years | 20 years |
From the illustration above, we can see clearly that birds in captivity live longer than those in the wild.
Let us look at the lifespans of some birds’ species in detail below.
1. Cardinal birds
Cardinal birds have an average lifespan of 3 years in the wild and up to 30 years in captivity.
They have shorter lives in the wild as compared to in captivity. In the wild, they face many predators such as snakes, cats, foxes, and owls. They also compete for food with other birds as well.
Other factors that decrease the lifespans of cardinal birds are viral diseases, and parasites.
Most birds usually spread diseases among the flock killing them in large numbers ultimately. Other diseases that normally affect cardinal birds are salmonella outbreaks, avian cholera, aspergillosis, and conjunctivitis.
Parasites like mites and ticks cause feather damage, lead to avian malaria, and lung lesions.
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2. Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds live for 3 to 5 years in the wild. They have an average lifespan of 14 years in captivity.
Most hummingbirds die during their first year. If one survives their first year the chances of its lifespan increases significantly.
The oldest known hummingbird was an 11-year-old female broad-tailed hummingbird that scientists banded in 1976 in Colorado [1]
Hummingbirds being pretty small in size are prey to many animals such as snakes, lizards, frogs, and even fish. This dramatically reduces their number especially since they are eaten when young.
As pets, they need a constant supply of food. They have extremely fast metabolisms meaning they have to eat all the time.
Hummingbirds can even starve overnight if they sleep normally. Therefore, they go into a deep sleep similar to hibernation whereby their metabolism slows down for them to survive the night.
3. Canary birds
Canary birds have an average lifespan of 8 to 15 years in the wild and live for 10 to 15 years in captivity.
Male canaries live longer than the females. This is because the female canaries undergo a lot of stress breeding regularly.
The canaries require a lot of care as pets for them to live longer.
They need a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables and a spacious and clean cage. These birds need a cool environment that is not too hot or cold for them to survive and live long.
4. Robins
Robin birds can live for 5 to 6 years in the wild. In captivity, they live for 14 to 17 years. They have high mortalities during the first years of their lives.
Once they pass the one-year mark, they can live for a long time. Robins are territorial birds known to even fight up to death! Can you believe that almost 10 percent of adult robin mortalities are due to territorial clashes?
Robin birds in the wild face many predators such as snakes, squirrels, and big birds that mostly target eggs and young robins.
In captivity, they have access to food and shelter. They are also safe from predators, therefore, enjoying long life.
5. Conures
Conure birds can live for 10 to 20 years in the wild. In captivity, they can live for 25 to 30 years.
Wild conure birds encounter many challenges that dramatically reduce their lifespan. They face predators and other environmental factors such as famine and habitat destruction.
Pet conures have access to food and are safe from predators. They need a balanced diet of pellets, fruits, vegetables, and freshwater. Conure birds need constant exercise by allowing them to fly around and also provide toys to play with.
Always ensure pet conures are checked regularly by avian veterinarians to ensure they are healthy.
6. Mynah birds
Mynah birds have a lifespan of 4 years in the wild. They can live for 12 to 25 years as pets.
Mynah birds are very intelligent and social therefore need constant stimulation through interaction. They make amazing pets with their ability to mimic human voices. To ensure your pet mynah birds lives longer ensure they are checked regularly by an avian veterinarian.
They love eating moist foods as well as playing with water. This means they make a lot of mess that needs constant cleaning.
Mynahs love daily baths. Ensure you build them big cages that enable them play around in perches. This will ensure longevity of your mynah bird.
Factors Affecting the Life Expectancy Of Birds
Diseases – This greatly reduces the lifespan of birds. Birds are social animals that love traveling in groups hence any disease rapidly kills them in huge numbers
Size – Larger species of birds like the parrots, albatross, and raptors live longer than the smaller birds such as the songbirds and garden birds
Food and Habitat – Birds living in areas with plenty of food with good living conditions will definitely live longer
Injuries – This causes early deaths and impacts breeding in birds significantly decreasing their lifespans.
Artificial and Environmental threats – Climate changes, natural disasters, and oil spills decrease the life expectancy of birds.
Predators – Birds face many predators such as snakes, humans, cats, frogs, dogs, and coyotes.
How Long Do Birds Live Without Food And Water?
Most bird species can live for up to 48 hours without food and water.
If birds do not get a constant supply of water, they get dehydrated easily.
Remember birds have a very high metabolism rate compared to other animals. Birds like hummingbirds which are small in size have some of the highest metabolism rates. They need food constantly otherwise they will die of starvation.
Conclusion
Birds make amazing pets with their beautiful singing and range of colors. However, they need adequate care, a balanced diet, and shelter.
