Amazon parrots are some of the most popular birds to keep as pets thanks to their bubbly personality and high intelligence.
Before bringing an Amazon into your own family, it is vital to consider all factors, one of the main ones being their long lifespan.
Getting an Amazon is a big decision.
While exciting, it should absolutely not be taken lightly.
That’s why I am always so relieved when potential parrot owners ask about lifespan and health.
Let’s examine the lifespan of an Amazon parrot, and what that means for bird owners.
Amazon parrots live, on average, 50-60 years. Some sources even report a maximum reported lifespan of up to 80 years for captive Amazons in optimal health. On average, in the wild Amazons live much shorter lives. Their long lifespan means that bringing an Amazon into your home is a lifelong commitment and could even mean ensuring a high-quality home for the bird as you yourself age. Their long lives also mean that you will get a friend for life!
There are lots of factors that would impact the life expectancy of your Amazon.
First, Amazon parrots include many different species of different sizes, so knowing what type of bird you have will help your research.
Factors such as basic hygiene, cage size, exercise, and diet will all impact not only how long your bird lives, but the quality of its life.
What factors could impact my Amazon’s lifespan?
In general, the most important factor impacting your bird’s life will be its day-to-day health.
It is also critical to maintain a safe environment for your bird, so there are no accidents or dangers.
General health can be broken down into a few categories, including nutrition, exercise, mental health, and access to high-quality veterinary care.
Balancing all these factors is important, and whenever there is any doubt, you should visit your vet to find out how to tailor your bird’s environment to their individual needs.
Diet and nutrition are very important for an Amazon.
They must get all essential nutrients and should get plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables along with their regular seeds and pellets.
Amazons very commonly become obese, and you must watch their weight if you want your bird to live a long life.
Foods to be aware of are high in fat, like sunflower seeds or peanuts.
A healthy social life is also very important to your bird.
Making sure that your Amazon is receiving enough attention, training, and engagement.
This can be from you the owner or even other birds.
Amazons are high energy so you must devote the time to make sure their mental health stays good.
How do I keep my Amazon in optimal health?
One of the most important ways to ensure that your Amazon stays healthy is providing a large, clean environment for them to live in.
Cages should not be smaller than 36×48 inches, leaving plenty of room for your Amazon to spread its wings.
It should also get lots of natural light and have good ventilation.
Exposure to natural light, or replicated full-spectrum lighting, is very important.
In the wild your bird’s sleep and hormone cycles are driven by nature’s rhythms.
It’s important that they get access to normal day/night cycles so that they can sleep well and maintain good mental health.
Light can also have important hormonal implications.
If your bird is becoming more aggressive during mating season, discuss lighting adjustments with your vet.
As mentioned above, a healthy diet is top priority for your Amazon.
This should include pellets, grains, seeds, nuts, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Be sure to balance all nutrients for your bird and make sure their receiving enough vitamins and minerals.
Because Amazons are prone to obesity you should monitor how much extra food your bird is getting.
While feeding lots of treats can be fun and helpful in training, make sure that your bird’s health is not impacted.
What should I consider about lifespan when getting a parrot?
Amazon parrots live long lives, and you should absolutely take this into consideration when deciding whether or not this parrot is right for your family.
Amazons are not recommended for young children for multiple reasons.
They can be very challenging to care for and train and could harm a child with a bite.
There are also lifespan considerations.
As a child gets older, they may no longer have the time to care for their bird or be unable to take the pet to school or to a new apartment.
Anyone with an unpredictable schedule or uncertain lifestyle should also carefully consider whether an Amazon is a good choice.
These birds will be with you for decades.
While none of us can tell where life will take us, you should be prepared to try and include your Amazon in every future phase of your life.
Should I look for an older or younger bird?
Long Amazon lifespan begs the question, should I look for an older bird?
This could be a great option for many owners.
There are many parrots in need of a home after their elderly owner has passed away.
These older birds can be a great option with a shorter commitment.
You should also look at local animal and parrot rescues.
These organizations often have older or middle-aged birds in need of homes.
Often these birds are already trained, they’ve passed their more hormonal phase, and their past family life will help them adjust to your home.
An additional benefit to adopting an Amazon is providing a home for a bird in need, giving an older bird a second lease on life and a chance at a happier home.
The cons of adopting an older bird can include behavior challenges, the possibility of managing a history of abuse or neglect, or health problems.
Some also argue that a young bird will be easier to bond with, though keep in mind this also means all the training will come down to you.
In the end, whether you decide to adopt an older bird or buy a young Amazon, you must consider your new family member’s lifespan.
Amazon’s will live long lives when given a healthy home with lots of love and stimulation.
If you are ready to commit then an Amazon could be the perfect addition to your home!
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