1
00:00:03,250 --> 00:00:08,290
Doctor Hess: So in general the lifespan of
a bird is based on size.

2
00:00:08,290 --> 00:00:10,450
Most of the larger birds live longer.

3
00:00:10,450 --> 00:00:15,940
Many of the big Macaws that we see, even the
Amazon Parrots, the African Greys can live

4
00:00:15,940 --> 00:00:19,680
30 to 40, sometimes even more years in captivity.

5
00:00:19,680 --> 00:00:24,130
Most birds in captivity don't live as long
as in the wild, becasue they are not exposed

6
00:00:24,130 --> 00:00:28,150
to the same fresh air, and sunlight, and nutrition
as they would get in the wild.

7
00:00:28,150 --> 00:00:31,830
But these birds are very, very long lived,
which makes them actually very popular pets.

8
00:00:31,830 --> 00:00:34,250
And some of the smaller birds, however, live
shorter periods.

9
00:00:34,250 --> 00:00:35,280
I mean, what would you say?

10
00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:37,220
You have Cockatiels, and smaller birds.

11
00:00:37,220 --> 00:00:41,700
Sarah: I would say, Cockatiels and smaller
birds, like this little green cheek Conure,

12
00:00:41,700 --> 00:00:43,210
usually around 20 years.

13
00:00:43,210 --> 00:00:49,559
I would say that the better diet and care
they get early on, the longer you can expect

14
00:00:49,559 --> 00:00:51,630
to have a healthy bird in your home.

15
00:00:51,630 --> 00:00:55,680
Doctor Hess: Absolutely, I mean, some of the
small Parakeets, the Budgerigars, we used

16
00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:57,050
to think 6 to 8 years.

17
00:00:57,050 --> 00:01:00,860
We've seen them actually live into their teens
now that we know what their requirements are.

18
00:01:00,860 --> 00:01:03,940
I've been a bird veterinarian for almost 20
years.

19
00:01:03,940 --> 00:01:08,280
And the recommendations I make now are very,
very different from those I made years ago.

20
00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:12,010
And we know that all these recommendations
are very, very important in keeping kidneys

21
00:01:12,010 --> 00:01:15,200
healthy, the liver healthy, bodies functioning
longer.

22
00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:19,970
So it is really important to seek out the
advice of a veterinarian comfortable with

23
00:01:19,970 --> 00:01:23,790
birds, so you can learn about what's best
for your birds, so that he or she can be happy

24
00:01:23,790 --> 00:00:00,000
and healthy for a very long time.