What is the life span of a Cockatiel?

Question

What is the life span of a Cockatiel?

Answer 1

The average lifespan of a cockatiel is 12 to 15 years; my pet Joey live to 16, though, bless 'im.

Answer 2

CHeck out this website:  The lifespan is 12-15 years

http://www.letstalkbirds.com/cockatiels....

Answer 3

between 10/15 yrs in captivity but in their natural envirnment 15/30 yrs

Answer 4

I have a Cockatiel and he is 27 yrs,there have been those that have lived for 35 yrs,

So as long as they have a good diet and well looked after they can live for quite a number of years.

I know his age because I bred him myself.

Answer 5

i believe its about fifteen to twenty or so

that is if they are taken care of properly

Answer 6

12-15 years, but some have known to live up to 30.

http://www.letstalkbirds.com/cockatiels....

http://www.birdtricks.com/Cockatiels/

Answer 7

Would agree with previous contributors - my Pa used to breed cockatiels and our first pair were 13 and 16 when they passed on - so I guess an average of 12-15 years would be a good guess.

They make great pets and are really affectionate.

Answer 8

Years ago, it was said that the lifespan of cockatiels in captivity was 10-15 years.

That is no longer true.  With proper diet and care, cockatiels in captivity can live 15-25 years, if not longer.  The oldest known cockatiels were at least 35 years old.

Before pellet diets were formulated, most people fed their cockatiels a seed-only diet.  Seed-only diets are very unhealthy for birds, especially caged birds.  They lack nutrients found in fresh foods, and contain excess fat.  Caged birds get little exercise, compared to their wild cousins, and do not need extra fat in their diet.   Excess fat leads to disease which will shorten the life of the bird.

For optimum lifespan, cockatiels should be fed a healthy balanced diet of high quality pellets, fresh foods, and a small amount of seed (as a treat).  

As we learn more, and get smarter - our pets live longer.  Research, advancements in technology, and the spread of accurate information, are responsible for longer lifespans in all animals, including us.

Years ago, most people didn't know about other health issues like the toxic effects of heavy metal poisoning, fumes, and smoke.

Not so long ago, bird toys and cages were often coated with zinc plating.  Zinc, lead and some other metals, are now known to cause heavy metal poisoning.

Birds have sensitive respiratory systems.  Over the last several decades, products have been introduced into our homes which are now known to be toxic.  Any product with a ventilation or contact warning on the label should never be used near birds.  Also toxic are all aerosols, and air fresheners, includling scented candles.

Teflon pans are another example.  Teflon became popular.  Birds died.  It took a long time before people realized that fumes from overheated teflon pans were the cause.

Pet product manufacturers were also to blame for short life spans.  They used zinc on their cheap toys and cages, and marketed seed-only mixes with the label "cockatiel diet".  Five years ago, Hartz still had a picture of a cockatiel on their box of grit, when cockatiels should never be given grit.  

20 years ago most people kept cockatiels in smaller cages, on straight dowel perches (bad for feet), with sandpaper covers on the perches (even worse).  The cage and any metal toy pieces were probably plated with zinc.  They were fed a seed-only diet, supplemented with grit.  Most people didn't bring their smaller birds, like cockatiels, to the vet, either.

No wonder they didn't live very long.

Answer 9

Hi,

I think that it about 15 years but probably as pets they can live longer.

Answer 10

the 2 I had only lived to just over 5 years they should have lived longer

Answer 11

The oldest one on record was 37 or 38.Hope mine lives that long-he's almost 9 now.

Answer 12

about 13 years or so.