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Green Cheek Conures make wonderful pets, and with their small size, intelligence, and large personalities, they are one of the most popular pet birds in the United States. If you are thinking of adding one of these delightful birds to your family, it’s natural to wonder how long these birds live. In general, Green Cheek Conures can live between 10-20 years.
In this article, we look at the average lifespans of these birds both in the wild and under human care, along with important factors that can affect their lifespans. Let’s get started!
Green Cheek Conures Lifespan in the Wild
In the wild, there is a vast array of potential threats for Conures, and they spend most of their time high up in the canopies of treetops as a result. Being snapped up by potential predators is a constant threat, but illness and injury are also natural parts of a Conure’s life in the wild. On average, Conures will live for 10-15 years in the wild if they manage to avoid predators and disease, although some may live up to 20 years if they are lucky.
Green Cheek Conure Lifespan Under Human Care
A Conure’s lifespan under human care usually far exceeds that in the wild, although this also depends on various factors. Feeding your bird a healthy, balanced diet, keeping them in a stress-free and spacious environment, and watching out for diseases will all go a long way in extending the lifespan of your Conure, and a lack of these will reduce their lifespan just as much.
With bad husbandry and care, a pet Conure is lucky to reach 10 years old, but a well-cared-for Conure can easily live for 20 years. With absolutely immaculate care, some Conures have been recorded living for up to 25 years, but this seems to be the maximum.
Why Do Some Green Cheek Conures Live Longer Than Others?
Even with immaculate care, some factors like genetics or disease are simply out of your control and may shorten your bird’s lifespan. Some diseases are preventable and easily treatable, but genetics are generally set in stone. In these cases, there is unfortunately nothing much you can do. It’s important to purchase your Conure from a reputable breeder because they will be far more likely to be free of any genetic problems. Backyard breeders may keep breeding the same birds over and over again without much regard to the birds’ health, and this will lead to unhealthy birds in the long run and is not an industry that you want to support.
Beyond disease and genetics, there are several ways to extend the lifespan of your Conure.
1. Diet
One of the most influential factors in the lifespan of your Conure is their diet. A balanced diet that consists of all the nutrition that they need to thrive will help your bird’s immune system function properly and keep them healthy even in the face of disease.
2. Stress
Stress is another important factor in the lifespan of Conures because too much stress — as in humans — can cause a significant reduction in the health and thus, the lifespan of your bird. Factors like a small, cramped cage or too little time outside of the cage, a lack of regular stimulation or interaction, rough handling, and a feeling of being vulnerable or unsafe can all cause stress for Conures and shorten their lifespan dramatically.
3. Checkups
Diseases can strike suddenly and seemingly out of nowhere, and it’s important to take your bird to an avian vet regularly to make sure they are healthy. Also, if you decide to add any new birds to your home, you should quarantine the new animals to make sure they are free from any diseases that could spread to your Conure.
Male vs. Female Conure Lifespan
In general, male Conures live slightly longer than females. This is largely due to the various hormonal changes that females go through, as well as laying eggs and raising chicks, both of which can take a toll on her body. Of course, if you don’t allow your female Conure to breed, she may live a bit longer, but even without breeding, females tend to have a shorter lifespan in general.
Summary
Due to factors like disease, injuries, and predation, wild Green Cheek Conures tend to live for a maximum of 10 years or up to 15 if they’re lucky. Under human care, a well-cared-for Conure can live up to 25 years in some cases, but on average, they will live 15-20 years. With the right diet and a stress-free environment, your Conure can live a happy and healthy life and potentially live with you for a couple of decades and beyond.
Featured Image Credit: bluepaints, Pixabay
