MadSci Network: Zoology
Query:

Re: How long do birds live?

Date: Sat Nov 24 18:35:40 2001
Posted By: Stacey Kohler, Secondary School Teacher, General Science, Kissimmee Middle School
Area of science: Zoology
ID: 1005744827.Zo
Message:

This depends entirely on the species of bird that we are talking about.  
The oldest Rufus-Crowned Sparrow ever found by the Patuxent Wildlife 
Researc Center was only 3 years and 2 months old, while a Mourning Dove 
lived to be 31.  The oldest bird in their database was a Laysan Albatross - 
42 years 05 months.  

Parrots can live for a very long time - the standard in the industry is "If 
you're old enough to afford it, it will outlive you."  There are some 
reports of parrots living to 100 years, although the average life span is 
more like 15 years.  Eagles can live up to 50 years in captivity, and 
ostiches and rheas have obtained 40.

In general, the larger birds will live longer than the smaller ones.

Sites used in this answer: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/homepage/longvrec.htm http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/birds/Birdextremes.shtml

Your Mad Scientist,
S. Kohler


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