Meaningful Macaw Facts Explained: How Long Do Macaws Live?

Macaws are beautiful and colorful parrots with long lifespans.

The oldest pet macaw is known to have lived for 112 years. This incredible bird lived for a century!

Macaws are one of the most beautiful and popular species of birds in the world. The color of the feathers of a macaw is different depending on its species. For example, hyacinth macaws have blue feathers similar to a blue and gold macaw, additionally, a red and green macaw has feathers similar to a scarlet macaw.

Macaws found in the wild typically live in tropical regions of North and South America, as well as the Caribbean. The majority of species are found in forests, particularly tropical rainforests, but others prefer woodland or savannah-like environments.

Macaws are typically larger compared to parrots, for example, the hyacinth macaw is the largest flying parrot species. These birds can make great pets as they have a long life expectancy, but just like any other exotic pets or birds, they require specific and proper care.

Macaws in captivity have longer lifespans than those in the wild. They can live a long and healthy life without having to struggle to fight off predators.

However, in captivity, without the threat of predators, proper nutrition, and veterinary care, these birds live for many years. However, getting any type of parrot or bird is a significant commitment. They require a proper cage, proper living conditions, and specific diets and care to make sure they live a long and healthy life.

Continue reading the article and increase your knowledge of macaws. After reading about the blue and gold macaw lifespan, check how long do baby birds stay in the nest? And bird respiratory system.

How long do macaws live as pets?

A macaw can be your constant and lifelong companion if you take care of it properly. Treating it with delicacy and ensuring it a proper cage size, a safe place, and proper nutrition and care will help increase its lifespan. The average lifespan of a macaw, in general, is around 25-30 years. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Parrots are the most popular pet bird, amongst pet bird owners. They tend to be incredibly entertaining and friendly creatures. Did you know that there are 17 different species of macaws found around the world?

Blue and gold, scarlet, green wing macaws, the Endangered hyacinth, Red-fronted, and blue-throated macaws are some of them. Wild macaws, because they are a parrot species, outlive other species and usually live for about 60 years, whereas macaws kept in captivity, on average live anywhere from 30-50 years.

Blue and gold macaws come from Central and South America. This macaw species is very special and requires the commitment of sincere care.

Specific and proper care and captivity will help ensure a long life. There is a vast difference in lifespan when we compare their wild and captive habitat. Blue and gold macaws attain maturity and are fully grown between the age of 5-7 years.

Can macaws live for 80 years?

Parrots or macaws are such pets that become more of a family member than just a pet. The family members become used to their presence. Children love to play and entertain themselves with them. After sharing this special bond, they wish or long for this pet or family member for longer years.

Therefore you sure must know how long these birds live and the various ways that can increase the life of macaws. As macaws are the longest living parrot species, they have a lifespan of 50 years. However, according to few records, macaws, outlive other species and have lived for even 100 years.

Parrots live in a suitable atmosphere and they can live for 140 years. Therefore, it is hard to see any parrots around us.

Captivity is of extreme importance. Good food, a safe atmosphere, and a friendly attitude will keep your pet living longer years. Nutrition, housing, and environment have a significant impact on the lifespan of these parrots.

Average Lifespan By Macaw Species

There are many macaw species such as Glaucous macaw, hyacinth macaw, Lear’s macaw, Green-winged, Blue-throated, Scarlet macaw, and many more. All these species have different body structure and adaptation, which differs in their lifespan. Their capability to adapt and sustain in an atmosphere differs. So let's go through all these species and learn more about their life.

Glaucous macaw: It is a rare species. Its average lifespan is 10-15 years in the wild. However, a longer lifespan is possible, up to 25 years in captivity. Being one of the rare species, it has been difficult to record the history of this wild bird.

Hyacinth macaw: This species is special, being the largest of the macaw family. Even in the wild, its average lifespan is 50 long years. It lives an average lifespan of 60 years in captivity.

Blue and gold macaw: This colorful blue and yellow, wild macaw tends to live a life of about 20-30 years on average. The life of a blue and gold macaw can be for up to to 50 years in captivity.

Lear’s macaw: This species is not seen now and is assumed to be extinct. However, it has a wild average lifespan of 20-30 years. Its lifespan is 50 years and sometimes even 60 years in captivity.

Green-winged macaw: Meet the second-largest macaw species. This species can live 30 years only in the wild, while it can live up to 70 years in captivity.

Scarlet macaw: These species scream and shout a lot. They make a high pitch sound, therefore, it makes them the loudest in the parrot family. They live close to 40 years in the wild and 70 years in captivity.

Why do macaws live so long?

Birds have many interesting facts, which you should know if you plan on being owners of a parrot or pet bird. These facts will help you know how birds can live a long life.

High metabolic rate and body temperature are a few factors that are responsible for increasing the lifespan of birds. Also, factors such as the size of their body, give them the advantage to live longer as compared to mammals.

Predation can be avoided by flying. Birds and mammals that can fly have a longer life span.

According to recent research, animals that engage in regular exertional exercise live longer than those that do not. Despite the higher energy required for flight, birds have lower amounts of oxidative damage in their mitochondrial DNA.

What exactly does this imply? Free radicals are produced as a result of these metabolic activities, and they bond to biological components, particularly membranes. The membranes age as a result of this, and the membranes' typical processes malfunction or operate poorly.

Raising a pet and knowing they'll be with you for a long time is always a huge plus. However, keep in mind that there are hundreds of distinct parrot species, which means that some live far longer than others.

How to ensure your macaw reaches their life expectancy?

There are three simple steps to ensure your pet lives a long life. One way is to feed your pet with suitable food and ensure its health.

Any waste or spoiled food would probably harm or even kill your pet macaw. Like humans, pets also need good owners to talk to them and spend leisurely hours with them, to make sure they’re engaged. And last but not least, is exercise, especially since they are most likely living in a cage.

Many individuals believe they eat healthily, and take good care of their health, yet we may be shocked at how many unhealthy things we manage to sneak into our daily routine, which, unfortunately, may have negative impacts on our life.

Coffee with a lot of cream and sugar, browned vegetables in butter, potato chips, and eating more than a single serving or two.

While it's true that some people and birds can live a long life on a less-than-ideal diet, it's not a guarantee and not suggested to ensure a healthy and long life without disease.

Furthermore, while your primary care physician may mention the importance of a healthy diet for most owners having birds, the most important takeaway from a well-bird vet visit is that a decent diet is a key to long lives. Birds, like humans, require daily movement to ensure good health and keep it that way.

Birds enjoy flying. Make sure you allow your feathered flyer some flight time in a bird-proofed room if you have one.

A bird-proof room may help to make sure to keep your bird properly safe. It might even save your bird’s life.

Allow for some supervised floor exploring time. Long ladders can be used as entertainment and exercise for your bird.

Start your bird at the bottom of the ladder and return to the bottom after they have reached the top. Perch your bird on your hand or a hand-held perch and slip your hand down so that they have to flap its wings to stay perched.

How old is the oldest living macaw?

The longest-living macaw is known to be Charlie. He was still known to perch at 114 years old. He is recognized to be from the olden wartime days of Winston Churchill.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how long do macaws live? Then why not take a look at why do birds fly? Or macaw facts.