How long do Amazons usually live in captivity on average?

My blue front just passed away at around 33 years.

I've found conflicting reporting on how long they usually live. There was one website which says they usually live on average 35 years in captivity and 27 years in the wild.

Most people think they should live to 70-80 years old.

I was wondering on average, how long do they usually live for? Is 33 years really young to die, like it would be for a human?

It is simply that if some can live to 80 years old then we should consider them having the lifespans of humans and 33 years old is really young.

I've had my BFA "Gonzo" for about 34 years, so I assume he is late 30s to possibly 40. The lifespan of a dog or cat is far better documented and understood than the timeline of a parrot. The many variables of diet, stress, and environmental issues affect the span of a parrot. I take the many publicly stated ranges as generalities. It is safe to assume the average Amazon may live longer than the typical Cockatiel but not as lengthy as a Macaw or large Cockatoo. Yet disease and predation can easily alter my vague analogy.

I think the answer is "nobody knows".

The old known numbers are all 'old news' -> parrots who were wild caught, probably still dealing with an impressive parasite-load (and getting some new ones whille living in close captivity with cousins from another continent) getting the wrong sort of foods, cages etc.etc.

What we have are inaccurate and very 'times-related'-, it is almost like saying "we have a few humans that reached the ripe old age of 117-- so that is the average lifespan for the species".

The parrots for sale 40 years ago were cared for in a vastly different way than they are today - so there is no predicting how old this generation is going to be...
For better or for worse: things really *have* changed.

I just go with: it does not really matter how long they live, it is all about how well they live.


(and your Rebecca did pretty good / as far as I've read)

I’ve never had a Amazon before but I think like 50 to 60 years maybe older if very well cared for

BlueFrontOwner said:

My blue front just passed away at around 33 years.

I've found conflicting reporting on how long they usually live. There was one website which says they usually live on average 35 years in captivity and 27 years in the wild.

Most people think they should live to 70-80 years old.

I was wondering on average, how long do they usually live for? Is 33 years really young to die, like it would be for a human?

It is simply that if some can live to 80 years old then we should consider them having the lifespans of humans and 33 years old is really young.

Click to expand...

There is tons of stories of 50-70 year old parrots but they are 99% just stories... No paperwork to prove the age etc.

30-40 years is quite normal for african greys, amazons etc... I know personally one Amazon that is over 40, we dont know how much over 40 but the owner can prove he had him 40 years ago... ...none just knows how old he was then.

BUT like people already said, none knows how much longer these "new generations" live (i believe its longer). Their diet, medical care and everything else is hugely improved compared to birds that hatched 30-40 years ago.

I just adopted mine and they gave me very little info other then he is a teenager. And a male. Hes lived with at least 3 families. When i take him to get his wings clipped i hope the bird experts can tell me more

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goodfellowsheryl said:

I just adopted mine and they gave me very little info other then he is a teenager. And a male. Hes lived with at least 3 families. When i take him to get his wings clipped i hope the bird experts can tell me more

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Click to expand...

Beautiful Amazon, enjoy! Most references and anecdotes suggest in the range of 30 to 60. Huge range, so many variables.

Perhaps simply the perspective of your camera, but that stained-glass lamp looks very close to your bird. Please be aware most genuine stained-glass items contain lead, a highly toxic substance when consumed, especially with birds. Simply licking or chewing can be deadly.

I'd say that most amazons live for 30-60, but they have the potential to live 100+


This thread mentioned one at 105
http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/8928-who-has-oldest-amazon.html


This page possibly 119
https://mysmelly.com/content/other_articles/oldest-pets-on-record.htm




It may be easier to think of it in terms of "3 lifespans".... Average, Expected, Potential. This is about what it would look like for budgies and cockatiels....


Budgie


Cockatiel




So for an Amazon, that might be Average; 30-50 years, Expected; 60-80, Potential; 100+.

@Monica: Oh....I LIKE this one.
It's workable and honest.

Reaching back in history, a century and more, mid to large Parrots where storied to be multi-generational in their life as Companion Parrots. This based on both shorter Human life and Parrots being passed within families as from one generation to the next. All the way into the 1950 and a bit later, it was common for this group of Parrots to be longtime members of families. As Vet record keeping improved, it was common for older Vets to rely stories of multi-generational Parrots into the 1980's.

One of Parrot Forums, now less active members (henpecked) grew-up with an adult YNA that I believe to be still a member of his home. Other members have like memories.

The long life of this group of Parrots in those older days was likely greatly effected by their food intake and life style. To the point, the Parrots eat what the family eat. Which was commonly locally and/or regionally grown and consumed, and represented a wide cross-section of fresh or canned fruits and veggies, grains, seeds, nuts, and other 'home' prepared foods. Cheap seed mixes and fast-food was not part of the standard available meal.

Historical accounts of Parrots flying or whether their wings where clipped is very rare. However, stories of their active involvement in and around the home abound. That supports the point that regardless of age, they had been active.

Lastly, the International Trade dealt with older Parrots (fully fledged) only as the transportation system took weeks to months to complete and younger Parrots would not have survived.

When the International Import of Parrots into Western Europe and North America halted, so did the influx of wild caught Parrots as part of the Companion Parrot Trade. This started a very short lived approach of Long Cycle Breeding, in which the Parrot was Fully Fledged and Socialized prior to selling with an age of 6 to 12 months. Those Parrots where sold with extensive knowledge of caring for the Parrot and with in that limited market of a one days auto drive at most. As Vet records indicate, this is the last group of Parrots that have long life.

The quick change to short cycle breeding of Parrots (parrot mills) and their being sold barely on solid food and diets heavy in 'wild bird' cheap seed quickly built into place as standard practice. This followed by what is far too common today, selling of true babies still fully dependent on formula.

Long story to get to a point that around 35 +/- years ago, started the rapid fall of the expected life of Mid to Large Parrots. Today, it is not uncommon for this group of Parrots to be dying in their teens and twenties from diet and low activity induced deaths, lead by underdeveloped heart, air sack, flight muscles system and failure of organs. In addition, this group of Parrots is seen with ever increasing behavioral problems.

Scott said:

goodfellowsheryl said:

I just adopted mine and they gave me very little info other then he is a teenager. And a male. Hes lived with at least 3 families. When i take him to get his wings clipped i hope the bird experts can tell me more

Sent from my LG-V533 using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

Beautiful Amazon, enjoy! Most references and anecdotes suggest in the range of 30 to 60. Huge range, so many variables.

Perhaps simply the perspective of your camera, but that stained-glass lamp looks very close to your bird. Please be aware most genuine stained-glass items contain lead, a highly toxic substance when consumed, especially with birds. Simply licking or chewing can be deadly.

Click to expand...

Ditto on the lamp, I missed that! Also, those bells will remove a toe in a heartbeat! Easy to trap a beak too!
I really like the use of the sycamore, but snug up the tyewrap.