How old is your Amazon?

Hello to everyone. I just joined this group looking for some info as I just lost my Double Yellow headed amazon two weeks ago. He was 35 to 36 years old and in great health mentally and physically. I expected him to live well past his age. He got plenty of fruits and veggies plus seeds everyday. He was very active singing and talking the night before. I came home from work and my wife told me she found him. I am stumped at the sudden loss. Thats why I was searching the web looking for how old other Amazons have lived in captivity. Was this a some what normal life span for captive birds? I always assumed and read possible up to 50 years. Thanks for taking the time to read my post.



Vinny

I am so sorry for the loss of your Amazon. I can't imagine how bad you feel. My Sam is a BFA who will turn 37 on February 12th. He is pretty healthy, except for a bit of fatty liver which we treat with meds. He has been on them for almost 4 years, and is doing pretty well.

I'm so sorry for your lost. When somebody asks about a lifespan, I always check on Parrots.org - there you can check it for each parrot species. They write DYH lives 50-60 years

Welcome under profoundly sad circumstances, Vinny. My deepest condolences for the loss of your double yellowhead.

My blue front Gonzo has been in the family 35 years, suspect he's age 37-40.

I bought my Yellow nape in 1986.
I was told he was 1 year old. I am sure he was older than that because he entered puberty within a year of bringing him home.

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Double yellow head.

Thank you for your support. I got him when he was 9 months old. I can only assume he had a heart attack of some sort since there was no warning signs of any sort.

Sorry for your loss. I lost my wild caught Orange Winged Amazon after 39 years with me. Really dont know how much older than that he was.

I am very sorry for your loss.
Huge Warm Amazon Feather Hugs and Prayers your way...

Please understand that to address your question, it may likely be hurtful, but know that it is not meant to be. It's just what our Avian Professionals are seeing:

The life span of Amazons have been falling sharply over the last fifteen years, commonly as a result of the change in diet (eating a diet heavy in protein like sunflower seed and peanuts), a lack of challenging activities (full flighted) and a lack of Avian Professional care, including regular full spectrum blood testing...

There are two things that kill young Amazons and at 35 years, your Amazon is young. He should have lived well into his 60 and possibility 70's.

- Heart Failure. The most common killer of young Amazons. The source was tranced to breeders (small 'b') no longer fully fledging baby Amazons and cutting their wings. This stopped the development of the Heart, Air Sacks (Lungs) and the Flight Muscles. With an underdeveloped Heart, Heart failure (sadly) is set in place.

- Stroke. The exact cause of Stroke in younger Amazons has several possibilities and there is not a strong determination as too which is the source.

- Fatty Liver. This is not exactly new, but the number of deaths are growing rapidly and are projected to out pace Stroke at some point in the future. Fatty liver is caused by diet high in protein and Amazons are the number one species effect by it.

Why is this not far more widely reported. Simple, individuals fail to take their Parrot to their Avian Professional for a definitive determination of death. Avian Professionals report deaths to their Association which keep track. Sadly, based against the number of assumed deaths, which go on non-reported..... The numbers cannot be reported as representing all deaths.

So very sorry for the Loss of your Dearly Loved Double Yellow-Head Amazon...

Vinny I am sorry for the lose of your YNA, one of my favorite Amazons.

Sorry for your loss mate
The thing is, with long lived birds, those few that do live up to those Grand years usually have been with their owners the whole time
And I do have a firm belief, birds will die of a broken heart, and when birds have been moved around from family to family, it has a huge toll on them
In your case, it was a freak, tragic accident
50 years, is a fair age for all parrots really, and is largely due to the care and genetics and bloodlines they are from, because age in birds I have seen can be hereditory - A mate of mine had a breeding pair of Galahs that lived into their 60's, and he kept one of the chicks and that chick is now in its 70's and is still running smoothly
Sincerest thoughts and feelings going out to yourself and your Amazon, I'm sure he is looking down on you from somewhere, thinking your the greatest bird parent he/she could ever had
Thanks
Noah Till