Dumb question about lifespan of ekkys.

Robyn · Jun 12, 2010

Hiya,
I have read heaps and heaps on eclectus till my eyes hurt lolol and I have read that their lifespan is up to 60 years and others say up to 50 or even 30. But I have yet to come across anybody who owns a 35 yr old ekky. I think I came across once somebody owned an ekky that was nearly 20.
So if there lifespan is closer to around say 25 ??? How did anybody come to the conclusion that their lifespan can be 50 - 60 years ?
Has anybody at all come across a 40 - 50 yr old ekky ? Anybody ??

Robyn

Robyn · Jun 12, 2010

I came across a guy whilst waiting in a vets, he ran in with his ekky clutched to his chest dying to go to the toilet and asked the lady behind the counter " to hold him ". After the toilet he came out and the vet had him in a loaned carrier and told him to bring him in next time in a carrier. Anyway this guy spotted Jack and came to sit with me and we started talking about our birds. He said he knows somebody who owns an ekky thats nearly 20 yrs old and he believes their lifespan isnt much more than that. I tend to feel the same way. To me past 20 seems an awful long time for a bird ?
Robyn

Mel · Jun 12, 2010

I've read they live around 50yrs, 35 is the average lifespan in captivity, some Cockatoo sub-species live to over 100yrs. I would love to know how old Chicka is - all we know is she's over 10

greycloud · Jun 12, 2010

The problem with ekkies is that studies have just recently figured out thier diet requirements. Still many do not follow these requirements. Therefor you have yet to see the results of this perfected diet and it's effect on the lifespan of ekkies. It is sad. The oldest I know of is 22 yrs old. I have bred birds for over 35 yrs and have many friends in the avian field. None have heard of any older, though I am sure there are a few out there. Nutrition is so important to all birds but ekkies really need the special care required for a long life.

Mel · Jun 12, 2010

greycloud said:
The problem with ekkies is that studies have just recently figured out thier diet requirements.

Nutrition is so important to all birds but ekkies really need the special care required for a long life.

I didn't realise this was a recent discovery, hopefully we will see this lifespan increase. With all the effort put into Shadow's diet hopefully she will be one of the older ones

Aussie Ben · Jun 12, 2010

I agree, from what I’ve read it seems they average around 30 years with good health. It really would be interesting to find the oldest ekkie out there.

And they really do have special nutrition requirements, they need such a variety of fresh foods. Luckily mine is a garbage disposal with wings

… so I have no problems getting him to try new foods.

Robyn · Jun 13, 2010

Well it seems we have yet to come across a 40 yr old ekky then. From my contact with others online and thru reading material it seems they would average around 20 - 25 yrs not up to 50 - 60 as some books say. But there must be some out there if they are writing this, hiding some place, but unfortunately rare.
Thanks guys

Bear · Jun 13, 2010

Hmm interesting post. I think as others have said it was a lot to do with them not having received the correct diets in previous years, people are much more informed now on what they need. Mine are 6 and 4yrs old and have been fed correctly since day 1...so we will see! Hoping for more than 20yrs!

Robyn · Jun 13, 2010

Yes Im hoping for more than 20 yrs too ! Just gotta make sure my 3 teenagers and all their friends remember to shut doors to backard & front lol, fingers crossed, so then my Jack will be able to at least make 20 yrs !

charliebrown · May 21, 2011

A good friend of mine had one that made it to 38 years but thats the oldest one i've heard of and I dont know that the age was completely accurate because she wasnt sure how old he was when she got him.

Dumb question about lifespan of ekkys.

Robyn

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