confused

[paulhanlon]

OK so I have being reading a facts page on the blue fronted amazon and most of the info stated is correct then when I look at the life span it says 20-60 years as when I have read the blue fronted amazon wiki on Google its says 60-80 years now witch one should I believe i think the Google wiki is the best one for facts as I reaserch all my animals on there before I buy them but any help on this would be great as I am baffled by this.

 

[henpecked]

depends on what data they use. Some studys are done on birds living in zoos because records are good and for long periods of time.Many of these parrots die before age of 20 due to many factors but they also have birds living to 60 yrs of age. Today our pets should live longer than our pets of 20-30 yrs ago. I trhink i saw a study from last year that stated median age of zons at like less than 20 yrs. That's including babies that die before weaning,but still that's terrible of us as owners.

 

[melissasparrots]

The average life expectancy is pretty low compared to the potential. I would say most amazons should hit thier 40s pretty easily and then depending on genetics and previous care, they could go another 40 after that depending on the bird. A lot of birds die younger though from lack of vet care, accidents and poor diet. I have amazons now in the 20+ range and the female is just as spry as her babies. The male came from a crummy past somewhere along the line and I think he has a little arthritis and potential for a kidney issue. I monitor it with the vet and keep it in check easily with diet. So far it hasn't been an issue for him. If someone wasn't doing semi-annual blood work on him though, it would have been undetected until probably too late.

 

[henpecked]

I have a lot of thoughts on this ,anyone interested ?

 

[lokiNotis]

Go ahead henpecked. I am interested to know. I am getting my YNA in about a week. I find everything that you post to be very interesting a helpful

 

[paulhanlon]

I'm interested as well I'd really like to hear your thoughts on this henpecked as you know I'm due to get my baby blue fronted zon in a month and one week two at the most

 

[henpecked]

The average age of my zons is 30+, i have several immatures that i've "held back" as breeders, otherwise my average age would be a lot older.I've only "lost " 2 birds over the age of 4wks in the last 35+yrs. the reason, one was an accident ,the other was out of my care for 21 years and developed liver issues.Why? because i know zons and know how to keep them. Most of us only learn about our zon after we've had them along time. I think the internet and forums like this are improving the life span of our companion birds. Things should be getting better. Most pets die at less than 5yrs,lost out the door,toxins,pet interaction, etc. the ones that make to maturity (7-8) usually live til age 15 or so. At this point bad diet and neglect take their toll. The next group are birds that will live a long time. They had the better start and longtime/informed owners. Our pet zons should out live us. I know we can help people to improve the sad statistics. Wish everyone would join a forum or take part.

 

[paulhanlon]

I agree that everyone who owns a bird should join a forum and I'm hoping my zon lives to the ripe age of 60 or more years as for her diet i will be feeding her on animal zone specialized food pellets along with the daily fruit and veg and I will also be taking her for a yearly check up with the avian vet and sooner if she ever develops any problems

 

[MaraWentz]

Hmmm. I've helped my grandmother raise 7 parrots. The ages and breeds are the following (and all are healthy and active):
African Grey: 22 years, Female
Yellow Naped Amazon: 4 years, Male
D. Yellow Headed AMazon: 27 years, Female
Yellow Naped Amazon: 32 years, Male
Red Front Macaw: 11 years, Male, Dead due to being killed at vets office
Umbrella Cockatoo: 6 years, Male
Some sort or Conure: 34 years, Male, Permamently bald due ot abuse in previous home, wasnt expected to live more that 2 years when we got him about 12 years ago.

 

[paulhanlon]

All good ages apart from the one that was killed in the vet office that's so sad and I think the life of a bird depends on the care it gets from there owners I'm in the house all the time and will have the time to spend with my bird.

 

[DebsFlock]

I agree with the statement that potential and typical life span are very different things. I doubt the data really exist to determine potential life span. Life span in the wild is probably quite short.

I know horses better than birds, and it wasn't so long ago that the average life span for a horse was said to be 7 years. In modern times, a 7-year-old is considered YOUNG, basically just fully mature. I think the average life span may still be in the teens because many horses die as a result of disease or injury, but it is also not uncommon for a horse to live into the late twenties or even mid-thirties.

It seems that nutrition still plays a huge role in the life span of pet birds, which suggests we still have a LOT to learn.

 

[paulhanlon]

I just think the lifespan depends on how well there cared for my friends grandmother has a blue fronted amazon and he will be 78 this year and he is still going strong the way I like to see it is the birds lifespan is as good as the owners care for the bird but that's just my opinion

 

[dishgal1]

I agree with the statement that potential and typical life span are very different things. I doubt the data really exist to determine potential life span. Life span in the wild is probably quite short.

I know horses better than birds, and it wasn't so long ago that the average life span for a horse was said to be 7 years. In modern times, a 7-year-old is considered YOUNG, basically just fully mature. I think the average life span may still be in the teens because many horses die as a result of disease or injury, but it is also not uncommon for a horse to live into the late twenties or even mid-thirties.

It seems that nutrition still plays a huge role in the life span of pet birds, which suggests we still have a LOT to learn.

Very true. I had a quarter horse mare that lived to 29 yrs old. She was so swayback by then but we loved her anyway.

 

[MaraWentz]

I agree but we as owners need to help replicate our birds natural habitat. Yes that means money and time and effort, but we ought to. It allows for our birds to live more naturally. Let them forage for their food and sleep on custom perches that resemble what they'd sleep on in the wild. Let them eat some of the fruits and vegetation they would in the wild. It will help keep them active and healthy.

 

[paulhanlon]

I agree on that one by time I'm done my bedroom will look like a jungle and sky will love it lol

 

[MaraWentz]

Lol that's what my apartment will look like. I see tons of flat corner perches, ropes, and rick walls in my future lol

 

[paulhanlon]

I think by time I'm done I won't have a bedroom left it will be a magical parrot paradise lol and I know my 50 inch plasma TV will be used as a giant perch when I get her but never mind its the joys of owning a fid in my eyes lol

 

[MaraWentz]

Lol I agree! I don't know if I'd take it that far- my hubby would kill me! But Erin will def. have her own room of birdy paradise one day!

 

[MaraWentz]

hahaha I'm hoping it will look a bit nicer and more natural than this. But probably be just as hectic

 

[paulhanlon]

Well I will be looking for my own place soon and I'm not really bothered if one room is massive and the other is small I will give her the large room as she will need the room to fly around and I will also be adding a giant aviary for her when the weather is nice but for now the room I'm in is big enough for her to fly around when I get her and in a week or two I will have the joyfull task of putting up her cage lol