Parakeets, also known as keets, are small-sized and long-tailed parrots with colorful feathers. They make excellent pets for families, as these birds are not that heavy for the pocket to sustain. They eat less than other larger parrots, thus saving more money. To top all these great things about parakeets, they are social birds.
Now, you might be wondering how long parakeets live. Let us find out as we delve deeper into the world of parakeets.
How long do parakeets live in captivity?
Domesticated parakeets, or those held in captivity, live for 7-15 years. However, the years depending on how you take care of the bird.
Expert Tip: Everything from the food they eat to the amount of exercise they receive contributes to their overall health and well-being.
Let us add the temperature of the surroundings, as parakeets may suffer if the place is very warm or cold. That means the healthier the parakeets, the longer they will live.
The following are a few types of parakeets and their life expectancy when in captivity:
Budgerigars or Budgies
Budgies are one of the most popular pets in the world. They are aboriginal to Australian forests, grasslands, and shrublands, and like any other birds, Budgies spend a lot of their time in trees and the sky. Their average lifespan is 10 to 15 years, and some are even said to reach 20.
Grey-cheeked Parakeet
Grey-cheeked Parakeets got their name after their distinctive grey cheeks, forehead, and chin. These birds are native to Ecuador and Peru west of the Andes. Aside from Budgies, they were also one the most popular pet birds. Grey-cheeked Parakeets have an average lifespan of 15 years, yet some have lived to 23 years.
Olive-throated Parakeet
An Olive-throated Parakeet has feathers of various colors, such as dark green, yellow, and red. Olive-throated Parakeets are naturally in the forests of Mexico, Costa Rica, and Honduras. This type of bird has a life expectancy of 15 years or more.
Monk Parakeet
Also known as Quaker Parakeets at Quaker Parrot, Monk Parakeets relish a lifespan between 20 and 30 years in captivity and wild. This type of bird originates in South America.
Barred Parakeet
Barred Parakeets have a life span of 10 to 15 years. Yet, reports say some Barred Parakeets lasted for 20 years. This type of bird originated in the countries of Mexico and South America.
White-winged Parakeet
When held captive, White-winged Parakeets can live for 15 years. This type of bird is native to savannahs, open forests, and river islands of countries such as Colombia and Brazil.
Orange-fronted Parakeet
An Orange-fronted Parakeet can live up to 15 years in captivity. Its country of origin is Hen Island, South Island, North Island, and Little Barrier Island.
Golden Parakeet
Also known as the Golden Conure, Golden Parakeets have a bright yellow color. They are native to the Amazon Basin of interior Northern Brazil. They can live for 20 to 30 years.
Crimson-fronted Parakeet
The Crimson-fronted Parakeets are native to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. They have a lifespan ranging from 15 to 20 years.
Rose-ringed Parakeets
Rose-ringed Parakeets or Ring-necked Parakeets can live for 25-30 years. They are native to places similar to Northern and West Africa in Guinea.
Wild Parakeet Lifespan vs. Parakeets in Captivity
In the wilderness, parakeets can live for 10 to over 20 years. While 7-15 years in captivity. Parakeets live longer in the wild than when held captive compared to other birds. It may be due to the birds being victims of not-so-appropriate ways of breeding by pet stores and suppliers.
Nonetheless, many factors contribute to the lifespan of parakeets, both in the wild and in captivity. The factors that may impact their lives are their potential predators in the wild and how they are taken care of when held captive.
When in the wild, parakeets travel in flocks to avoid predators. They also get to fly more in pursuit of food, thus exercising. Exercising helps parakeets in minimizing the danger of obesity and prolonging their lives.
As the parakeets in the wildlife are in places fit for their needed climate, they will have no complications compared to those in captivity.
Expert Tip: Depression can also be a cause as to why parakeets held captive live shorter than those free. Their noise patterns can be indications of depression along with the loss of appetite, fluffing of feathers, and when they are picking them.
However, it does not mean that a once domesticated bird, when released, will be happy. Keep in mind that these birds are no longer accustomed to such an environment.
How to tell the age of your parakeet?
Every parakeet owner should know how to tell the age of their parakeet, but if you have trouble doing so, these are a few ways from PetKeen to know their age:
- Look at the head – Birds less than 3 or 4 months old have cap feathers visible on their heads. These cap feathers are stripes that start at the forehead and end at the neck. If a parakeet does not have these stripes, then it is more than three months old.
- Look at the eyes – The bird is likely less than four months old if it has black eyes. The bird’s age is likely between 4 and 8 months if they are dark grey and light grey or brown if eight months and above.
Please keep in mind ages of birds that are albino or such cannot be tested with the methods mentioned.
Here let us discuss the life cycle of a parakeet
- Hatchlings – Hatchlings are born with neither feathers nor senses. Its diet consists of the milk from its mother. After 7-10 days, they can now see.
- Young Parakeets – Once parakeets are already 3-6 months old, they can already feed themselves.
- Adult Parakeets – Adult parakeets are above a year old and are fully grown.
Various factors affect a lifespan of a parakeet. According to All Things Nature, breed, diet, and exercise are some of these.
Breed
Parakeets are a wide variety of species that may sometimes not be associated with each other.
Diet
Parakeets in captivity should not only be eating seeds alone. They need to have fruits and vegetables in their diets to avoid malnourishment.
Exercise
Exercising is helpful for parakeets, too. They tend to fly forward and play with metal bars, so there should be enough space for them to do so.
Parakeets are such lovable and colorful creatures, perfect for a pet. They can live for 7-15 years in captivity and longer in the wild.
In captivity, their lifespan is longer if they are cared for well. The owners must ensure they feed their parakeets with a variety of food and not just focus on seeds. Letting them play and exercise is crucial too.
Feel free to ask if there are still remaining questions unanswered above!
