When thinking about birds with longest lifespan, the reality is that bird lifespans range from a few years to over a century, depending on the species. While this number may be impressive, it also raises other questions: Why is there such a wide variation in lifespans? Which bird with longest lifespan? And are there any birds that actually live over 100 years?
Answering these questions is not easy, because bird lifespan is a much more complex issue than we think. By exploring the fundamentals of aging and bird life processes, we can better understand how long birds live, as well as which birds around us are likely to live longer. Read more in this article from birdsofjoy.com!
Differences in the aging process of birds
Unlike humans and many other animals, birds do not show obvious signs of aging, such as gray hair or a slow gait. Once they develop their adult plumage, most birds no longer show any outward signs of aging. This makes it challenging to determine their age in the wild.
Some birds can live very long lives, even beyond our expectations. For example, a rose-crested cockatoo named “Cookie” lived to be 83 years old, making him the oldest confirmed living bird. However, accurately determining the age of birds, especially in the wild, is difficult, and we have to rely on sophisticated techniques such as bird collaring to track them.
Factors affecting bird lifespan
The lifespan of a bird depends not only on its body size or habitat, but also on many other factors such as the number of chicks, the rate at which they mature, and where they live. Generally, larger birds tend to live longer than smaller ones, and birds that live on islands tend to live longer than those that live on the mainland.
But what is most interesting is that the birds that have been studied more closely by humans tend to have longer lifespan records. This shows that, although we know a lot about bird lifespan, there are still many mysteries to be discovered.
9 bird with longest lifespan
The lifespan of birds can vary considerably, from a few years to decades. Some of the birds on this list have lived far beyond the average lifespan for their species, some even reaching over a century. The secret to their longevity is often the care and love they receive from their owners or keepers. Many of these birds have become famous around the world for their incredible longevity.
Chile (Unknown – 6 April 2018)
- Lifespan: Approximately 60 years old as of 2018
- Species and Gender: Chilean Flamingo, Female
- Location: Adelaide Zoo, Australia
Chile was one of the last two flamingos in Australia and lived at Adelaide Zoo. After her companion, Greater, died in 2014, Chile became the country’s last flamingo. Although there are no exact records of her birth date, it is believed that Chile lived to be approximately 60 years old before being euthanized in 2018 due to complications from old age.
Wisdom (c. 1951 – Present)
- Lifespan: Approximately 68 years old as of 2018
- Species and Gender: Laysan albatross, female
- Location: Midway Atoll, USA
Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, is the oldest living bird ever recorded in the wild. First banded in 1956, Wisdom made headlines when she laid an egg at the age of 67 in 2017. This surprised scientists because albatross do not typically breed at this age. Wisdom continued to lay eggs every year, proving that old age did not diminish her fertility.
Thaao (1930 – 6 January 2010)
- Lifespan: 80 years old as of 2010
- Species and Gender: Andean Condor, male
- Location: Beardsley Zoo, United States
Thaao was the oldest Andean Condor ever recorded in captivity, living to the age of 80. Thaao spent most of his life at the Pittsburgh Zoo before moving to the Beardsley Zoo. With his incredible longevity, Thaao has become an animal ambassador and a symbol of conservation efforts.
Greater (Unknown – 30 January 2014)
- Lifespan: At least 83 years old as of 2014
- Species and Gender: Greater Flamingo, unknown
- Location: Adelaide Zoo, Australia
Greater was the largest flamingo at Adelaide Zoo and one of the oldest birds ever recorded. Although Greater’s origins are unknown, it is believed that he arrived at the Adelaide Zoo as an adult in 1933. He died in 2014 after his health declined due to old age.
Cookie (June 30, 1933 – August 27, 2016)
- Lifespan: 83 years old in 2016
- Species and Gender: Mitchell’s Cockatoo, male
- Location: Brookfield Zoo, USA
Cookie is the oldest parrot ever recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records, living to the age of 83. Cookie was born at Taronga Zoo in Australia and later became a resident of Brookfield Zoo near Chicago. Before his death in 2016, Cookie was one of the zoo’s most popular animals and received much attention from around the world.
Poncho (circa 1926 – Present)
- Lifespan: 92 years old in 2018
- Species and Gender: Green-winged Macaw, female
- Location: Shrewsbury, England
Poncho, now 92 years old, is one of the longest-living birds in existence. Poncho had a lengthy career in Hollywood before moving to England. He starred in hit movies like Doctor Doolittle and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. After moving to England, Poncho was adopted by a pet shop and continued to live a long life in captivity.
Fred (c. 1914 – Present)
- Age: 104 years old as of 2018
- Species and Gender: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Male
- Location: Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Australia
Fred is a century-old sulphur-crested cockatoo who is still living at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Fred was given to the sanctuary after his owner died and has lived a remarkably long life under the care of the staff there.
Charlie (c. 1899 – Unknown)
- Age: 114 years old as of 2014
- Species and Gender: Green and Gold Macaw, Female
- Location: Reigate, England
Charlie, a green and gold macaw, is believed to have lived to be 114 years old. Charlie once belonged to Winston Churchill and has become a symbol of longevity. While the story of Charlie and Churchill is disputed, there is no denying that Charlie lived a long and memorable life.
Cocky Bennett (c. 1796 – 26 May 1916)
- Lifespan: 120 years old in 1916
- Species and Gender: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, male
- Location: New South Wales, Australia
Cocky Bennett is the oldest bird on record, living to the age of 120. Cocky lived an adventurous life, from being a sailor’s pet to living in a pub in New South Wales. With his remarkable longevity, Cocky has become a legend in the bird world.
Conclusion
Bird lifespan depends not only on the species but also on the habitat and conditions in which they are kept. While some wild birds can live long lives if they are kept free of life-threatening risks, captive birds have a much longer chance of living due to better protection. The large difference between average and maximum lifespans suggests that many birds have the potential to live longer if they are not exposed to life-threatening risks.
