Older Parrots

[spiritbird]

I thinks its really wonderful when a person has an older parrot that has been with them for a long time. Wondering who has the oldest parrot on PP.
Please tell us your story and show photos. I have a close friend who has a GCC that is 19 years old now. This little bird no longer likes to fly. She has never been sick until this week. She was hiding under the newspaper which is not a good sign. My friend took the bird (named Sam) to the vet and her blood counts were off, high cholesterol and WBC. Sam is now on antibiotics for the very first time and feeling better. Sorry no photos.

[Mare]

Amigo is my oldest, going on 16..We've had him a loooong seven years!!..OMG!! :th_eek:

..and have enjoyed every other minute of it! :)

[spiritbird]

I know he gets exercise! Is 16 considered old for a Cockatoo?

[Mare]

Dianne, he has a lovely 64 to go!!

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Casper is 28, no sign of a mid life crisis yet. Although he does use Margaret's blonde hair as a comb-over sometimes.

[spiritbird]

It seems one if the indicators of age in a parrot is decreased vision just like humans. People are working on eye drops to decrease them and hopefully for our birds too.

[Mare]

Can you imagine the tales these old birds could tell?.. Holy Molely!!

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

I think the tales would probably make us cry.:'(

[Mare]

Well, Jean-Pierre..mine could write a funny book with the antics that go on in our house!

I do realize that many aren't so fortunate :(

You've totally just bummed me out.. :(. I'm going to GET you Jean-Pierre!!

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

oops soz Mare. Have a picture of Casper just about to try and kill my camera to cheer you up.
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Angry bird ([Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]) by Jean-Pierre Declemy ([Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]), on Flickr

[spiritbird]

OOOh that's a signature photo. Love it!!

[PlaxMacaws]

I'm sure I've already mentioned the following particulars in various places on this website before (probably multiple times). But in response to the request, below is a list of how long each of my guys has been with me.

Jack (B&G) - 34 years (acquired 1981)
Maynard (MM) - 33 years (acquired 1982)
Zaffer (Hy) - 10 years (acquired 2005)
Salsa (GW) - 3.5 years (acquired 2012)

I'm unsure of how old Jack or Maynard happen to be. They are wild caught birds. If I had to guess, I could only say that they are at least in their 40's. And Maynard may be considerably older than even that. But Zaf is approaching 27 years of age (according to the vet records that came with him). And Salsa should be getting close to 7 years of age fairly soon.

[Cedardave]

We have a cockateil we took in from a couple that was moving into assisted living that didnt allow birds...he is almost 20 years old..pretty good for a cockateil.
Our oldest bird was one of my best friends...he was a yellow collared macaw.When I would walk in the room he wouls see me and bow his head out of respect I like to think.I would always bow back.He came to us late in his life after many years of poor care.Although he is no longer with us...he passed away in my arms at the ripe old age of 49 years old.

[spiritbird]

That is a lot of bird years Tony. How incredibly bonded they must be with you. How is the vision ?

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Don't tell the others (they are all lovely and I would hate to upset them) but Zaff is my favourite. :th_smile:

[spiritbird]

Jean-Pierre Here is your boy with the look!

3420

[PlaxMacaws]

That is a lot of bird years Tony. How incredibly bonded they must be with you. How is the vision ?All seem to have fair vision... with the exception of the cataract in Zaf's right eye. He can still see and distinguish things with it, though. Dr. McD said it's not terribly bad yet.

[PlaxMacaws]

Oh, and I love that signature of Casper, Dianne!

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Yay Dianne, I like it, a complete contrast to the cute and cuddly previous one.

[kendrafitz]

Awesome signature Dianne! You do wonderful work, you are very talented.

Love the pic Jean-Pierre. He is so funny! Come here...I DARE you! Makes me giggle thinking this is the same guy who likes to walk around under newspaper looking like Casper the Ghost!!! ;)

[Robyn]

Carolina is going on 18 but I have had him less than a year however in that time I have noticed a huge improvement in the last 3 weeks since adding sprouts, red palm oil, Harrisons lifetime mash and herb salad he was moving very little and sleeping a lot during the day now he is moving around and starting to play with toys. He is singing more and rarely sleeps during the day unless he didn't sleep much the night before due to the heat lamp being on longer than normal.

[spiritbird]

Nutrition really does make a difference.

[Lady]

I'm not sure how old Lady is. We brought her home in 08, so she has lived with us for seven years.

[spiritbird]

When is a Macaw considered a senior bird?

[Lady]

According to what I have read about small Macs they can live from 50-60 years in captivity, so I would guess 40-45 years old. But I'm just guessing as I have not seen a definite answer.

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[Macaw Lover]

Jody is a Greenwing, is 26 and I have had her since she was 4 months old.

[spiritbird]

Aw Jody sounds adorable. Any photos for us? I guess you two know eachother very well after being together that long. I couldn't even stay married that long!