How Long Can Your Pet Parrot Be Your Companion?
Are you planning to welcome a new member to your family and eager to become a pet parent? Haven’t you decided yet whether to bring a furball a horse an avian friend or a similar animal into your home? You will need to know all about them as the joy of having the company of a pet of course comes with the responsibility of keeping them healthy and happy. This, in turn, requires paying attention to a few crucial aspects like the lifespan of different types of pets, their nature, their nutritional requirements, the diseases they are prone to, and how to take care of their overall health. As you choose the ideal pet for yourself, take into account these intriguing details about parrots. They are among the cleverest and most captivating birds, so see if they suit your preferences.
Lifespan of Parrots:
To start with, you would like to know how long do parrots live actually. Parrots are considered one of the most long-lived pets. Though their lifespan varies depending on the breed, it stay between 15 to 50 years and sometimes longer than that. The popular pet parrot species are macaws, cockatoos, cockatiels, Amazon parrots, lovebirds, and parakeets. You will be amazed to know the average lifespan of these popular parrot breeds:-
Factors Affecting the Lifespan of Parrots:
Though parrots tend to live longer compared to other pets, their longevity depends upon:
- Their breed
- The food they consume
- The care they receive
- Infection of the diseases they are prone to
- Exposure to probable fatal accidents
Diseases Affecting the Parrots & Health Problems They Face:
Knowing the most prevalent diseases that can affect your avian friends will help you be more vigilant in treating them promptly or taking measures to prevent their occurrence. Let’s take a closer look at them:-
- Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) – it affects the nerves that supply the bird’s gastrointestinal tract and/or other organs and can lead to weight loss, vomiting, swollen crop,s and changes in the bird’s droppings.
- Psittacosis (Parrot Fever)- It is highly contagious and leads to difficulty in breathing in birds, loss of appetite, nasal and eye discharge, loose droppings, and lethargy.
- Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) – It is seen majorly in young birds under the age of two. But, it can affect the birds at any age. The parrots face feather loss, abnormal feather development, abnormalities of beak, and more.
- Polyomavirus- Caged parrots are specifically more prone to this disease. It is a fatal condition mostly seen in newborn and young parrots. They show symptoms like loss of appetite, paralysis, diarrhea, and an enlarged abdomen.
- Candidiasis- This is a fungal infection that affects the digestive tract of birds and can lead to white lesions in and around the mouth and throat, appetite loss, and lethargy.
Steps to Improve the Lifespan of Parrots:
- It is required to give your parrot well-balanced nutritious food. Your feathered friend may like the high-fat and high on salt food as it tastes nice, but it leads to obesity. A balanced combination of pelleted food, fresh veggies & fruits, seeds, and other food helps in keeping your birdie healthy.
- Being observant of the symptoms of illness, if any, helps you in taking steps to cure your parrot in time. However, prevention is always better than cure. Staying aware of the general diseases parrots are prone to can help you take preventive measures to protect your pet.
- The bird bodies are made for flying. Providing them with a large cage to live in and enough time to roam outside and play with other parrots helps keep their mind and body active and healthy.
- It is required to create a safe environment for pet parrots. Birds have sensitive lungs, and fumes from smoke, perfumes, air fresheners, and similar substances can be harmful to them.
- Just like other pets, parrots are also susceptible to accidents, sometimes fatal. Staying alert and protecting them from any unwanted incident without restricting their freedom to fly, helps in increasing their lifespan.
Care for Senior Parrots:
Just like any other species, senior parrots also require special care. Their diet needs to be readjusted, and the treats should be limited to avoid the chances of obesity. Aged birds can get arthritis and cataracts. Their moving around lessens with age and their grip may not be as firm as before. Their perch heights need to be rearranged for their convenience. To save them from probable injuries if they fall, the cage bottoms can be covered with towels.
Oldest Parrots in the World:
- The longest-living on-record parrot is ‘cookie’, Major Mitchell’s cockatoo that lived for a little more than 82 years.
- The Guinness World Records mention ‘Sunshine’ as the oldest cockatiel living, aged 32 years in 2016.
- ‘Charlie’, the budgie is said to have lived for 29 years.
- There are also two macaws, ‘poncho’ and ‘Charlie’, that are believed to have lived for 92 and 114 years respectively.
There may be many longer living parrots that have not been possibly recorded so far.
Common Questions About Parrots (FAQs):
So, you would have thought by now whether or not to bring a parrot as a pet into your home. If you still have some questions in mind, here are the answers that may help you:-
Q. Can Parrots Live Over 100 Years?
A. There are no official records of any parrot living longer than 100 years. But, a couple of macaws are said to have lived for more than 110 years. The average lifespan of a parrot stays somewhere between 15 to 50 years, though many parrots may live longer than that.
Q. For How Long Do Parrots Live as Pets?
A. The lifespan of any pet depends upon the care they receive, their breed, overall health, and many other things. Generally speaking, parrots live longer in comparison to the other pet animals.
Q. For How Many Hours Do Parrots Sleep?
A. Most of the parrots are diurnal, meaning they stay active during the day and sleep at night. And so, the sleeping hours for them will depend upon the part of the world they inhabit. In general, adult parrots need 8-14 hours of sleep, and baby parrots need about 16 hours of sleep.
Q. Do Pet Parrots Sleep?
A. Similar to any other parrot, pet parrots also need sleep. Parrots can stay without sleep for longer hours compared to many other species. But a lack of sleep can hurt their health. Sleep-deprived parrots can also show destructive behavior. So, it is required that they sleep for enough hours.
Q. Is It OK to Pet a Parrot?
A. Parrots are good pets to have around. They are generally joyful and talkative. But, it is always advisable to think through the whole picture. There are breeds of parrots that can outlive you. So, a thorough thought should be given before you decide to add this wonderful bird to your family.
In the End
Parrots are one of the longest-living species in the world. These magnificent birds are always chirpy, talkative, and lovable. They can be one of the best pet companions you can have. If proper care is taken, your parrot can be with you for your whole life. Being vigilant about their nutritional needs, averting accidents, and taking steps for the prevention and cure of most common diseases can help them live a long and healthy life.
