I’ve been looking into getting a new parrot recently, after my very old parrot recently passed away.
We had been friends for a very long time, so it was sad to see him go.
The house has been far too quiet without him around, so I’ve decided to welcome a new friend into my home as soon as I can.
One candidate I was looking into was the Senegal parrot.
I thought it might be a good idea to get one that lives for only a reasonable length of time—in parrot terms.
So, I decided to look into it.
So, how long do Senegal parrots live?
Senegal parrots generally live over 30 years. As parrots go, they are not as long lived as other species. That said, 30 years is still a long time for any pet, so be sure to prepare yourself for that. They could live shorter or longer, too, depending on their environment.
Senegal parrots make great pets for those who don’t have as much experience owning parrots.
For many people, the longevity of the parrot plays a big role in this, as some can literally outlive a human lifetime.
This can be daunting for a new pet.
Let’s look further into this.
How long do Senegal parrots live as pets?
It is, of course, going to depend on the particular bird, how well it is cared for, and a whole host of other factors.
That said, there is a general estimate we can put on how long pet Senegal parrots live.
In general, you can expect them to live for at least 30 years.
You might expect the average Senegal parrot to live to around 32-35, though they may live shorter or longer.
So, if you are thinking of getting a Senegal parrot, you should be aware of what you’re getting into.
They will be around for a long time—much longer than dogs or cats.
Though they are, as I’ve said, not as long-lived as other parrots, they nonetheless live for a long time by any standards.
A well-cared-for Senegal parrot with an ideal diet could even live for up to 50 years, although this is unlikely.
Of course, the wild and in captivity are two very different questions.
So, how long do Senegal parrots live in the wild?
How long do Senegal parrots live in the wild?
It’s a different story in the wild, of course—but that’s not to say that they don’t get old in the wild, too.
Of course, it is again going to depend on many variable factors, and will be different for each bird.
In general, though, you can expect the wild lifespan to be roughly a half to two-thirds of the average captive lifespan.
So, somewhere from 15 to 20 years on average.
It’s quite difficult to pull accurate data on a question like this, though.
Wild Senegal parrots could live for more than 30 years, if the conditions are right and they get a bit of luck.
Parrots do not have a great many natural predators, so they don’t have much to worry about there.
They generally just are not as healthy as captive parrots with regular diets, and so their health deteriorates a lot faster.
Either way, they are still very long-lived as animals go, even in the wild.
So, do they make good pets?
Do Senegal parrots make good pets?
Well, with everything we’ve said so far in mind, it really depends on you.
Are you prepared to care for the animal for perhaps half a century?
Though it’s very unlikely for the parrot to live this long, you should still prepare yourself for the possibility.
If you are ready to look after it for at least 30 years, then Senegal parrots make great pets.
Of course, they are very different from other pets, like dogs and cats.
They are generally considered higher maintenance and overall harder to keep.
But they are calm, affectionate birds, quieter than most parrots, and they love to physically interact with their owners.
They are highly intelligent and need a great deal of stimulation, so expect to spend a lot of time playing with them.
If this all sounds like something you could handle, then you’ll have no problem keeping a Senegal parrot.
Do Senegal parrots bond with their owners?
Yes, they do!
One of the amazing things about Senegal parrots, and indeed many species, given their longevity, is that they tend to mate for life.
In the wild, they will stick with a single mate for decades.
In captivity, you will be this bonded partner.
Of course, these bonds still take work.
You’ll need to raise the parrot and be sure to interact with it regularly, as well as take the time to understand its needs.
As long as you take the time to work on the bond with your parrot, and to maintain it once it is established, your Senegal parrot will bond with you for a very long time.
Senegal parrots make fantastic pets, then, even for the less experienced parrot owners.
They are friendly and quiet, affectionate, and capable of forming deep bonds with their owners.
It’s important that you recognize what you are getting into with any parrot, though—they live a lot longer than other animals.
Even the Senegal parrot, shorter-lived among common domestic parrots, will still live for at least three decades.
If you’re prepared for that, they make a great pet!