Sun conures are bright and colorful birds that are known for their high intelligence and big personalities. While they are endangered in the wild, they are also bred in captivity, so there is no shortage of them as pets.
The big question is, how old do sun conures get?
It depends on whether the bird in question is living in the wild or captivity. The short answer is that it isn’t known how long wild sun conures can live for, but we do have a clear idea of this bird’s lifespan in captivity which is between 20–30 years. Here is everything that you need to know.
The Lifespan of Sun Conures in the Wild
The Lifespan of Sun Conures in the Wild
The wild sun conure lives in South America and is typically found in tropical habitats or forests near the coast. Their habitats are harsh for humans, so studies about their behaviors and lifestyle in the wild have not been made a priority. This means that nobody can say for certain how long sun conures can live in the wild. Many factors can play a role in the lifespan of a wild sun conure, such as loss of habitat (due to human intervention), natural predators, and food availability.
The Lifespan of Sun Conures in Captivity
Luckily, we have a good idea of how long sun conures can live in captivity. Birds that are well cared for can live anywhere from 20 to 30 years (sometimes even a little longer!) as pets. Therefore, these are pets that require a long-term commitment. Owners should make plans for their pet sun conures just as they would for their kids, in case anything unexpected should happen.
It is important to remember that there are no guarantees when it comes to exactly how long a specific sun conure will live. However, there are a few factors that owners can control to ensure a long and happy life for their sun conures.
Why Do Some Sun Conures Live Longer Than Others?
Why Do Some Sun Conures Live Longer Than Others?
There are a few factors in a pet sun conure’s environment that can affect how long the bird ultimately lives. Luckily, owners can control most of these factors and play a role in optimizing their pet sun conure’s lifespan when all is said and done.
1. Nutrition
Unfortunately, many birds in captivity suffer from unbalanced nutrition because their owners don’t know exactly what foods this bird species requires. If a sun conure’s diet is inconsistent or lacking any nutrients, serious health problems can develop that may ultimately contribute to an untimely death.
Owners should consult with a veterinarian to find out what their bird should be eating. That said, there is a general diet that should be followed when it comes to feeding time. These birds should eat a commercial pellet diet formulated specifically for sun conures. Various fruits, berries, and vegetables should also be offered daily. These birds are susceptible to calcium and vitamin A deficiencies, so regular offerings of foods high in these nutrients, such as sunflower seeds, are important for good health and a long lifespan.
2. Exercise
Just like humans, sun conures require exercise to stay fit and healthy. Without enough exercise, these birds can quickly become obese and develop all the diseases (such as diabetes) that come along with being overweight. Sun conures need plenty of room in their caged habitats so they can fly from perch to perch for exercise throughout the day.
However, caged exercise is just the bare minimum. Sun conures should be let out of their habitats daily for exercise around the house. A pet sun conure will want to fly around a room and walk around on a table to explore. They may want to perch on the back of a chair and exercise their lungs with a little singing. All activity outside of the cage results in a stronger, more fit, and healthier sun conure overall.
3. Mental Stimulation
Sun conures that are bored can become depressed and start to mutilate themselves. They may not eat as much as they should throughout the day, and they might stop drinking water. In the end, a bored bird will not live nearly as long as a bird that enjoys daily mental stimulation. Luckily, there are many things that owners can do to provide mental stimulation.
Placing mirrors, blocks to peck at, perches to hang out on, bushes to investigate, hollowed tree branches to explore under, and hanging beads to play with will provide a pet sun conure with plenty of activity to engage in while spending time inside their habitat. Engaging in trick training and conversations with human companions also offers mental stimulation that will help ensure a long and healthy life.
Final Thoughts
The sun conure can be an awesome pet for families of all types. These birds are interactive, social, smart, and easy-going. They can live for decades too! Luckily, we do not have to rely only on nature to give our pet birds a long and healthy life. The trick is to make health and longevity a priority from day one. The goal should be at least a 20-year lifespan.
- Related Read:Â How to Tell the Age of a Lovebird (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit by: Butterfly Hunter, Shutterstock
