I often tell people about how long parrots can live. For example, it is not unknown for a bird like Kosh to live for 80 years or more. I’ve heard people tell me that to state this can scare people away from adopting a bird. I don’t think that this is true.

First, you must take longevity with a large grain of salt. After all, people are known to live to be over a 100, but as a practical matter few do. If fact, no one knows how long a particular person or a particular bird will live.

The second thing you should understand that all I or anyone else really means when we say this, is that there is no such thing as a “forever home” when it comes to a medium or large sized parrot. I’ve seen research showing that the average bird will be in 14 different homes in it’s lifetime. I can easily believe that.

Before I got my birds, I asked my children if they would want to take them if something happened to me. They said they would, but there are no guarantees. My kids living situation can change or they may find caring for the birds is not for them. Thank heaven for places like
Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary!

If you think you would like to have a bird and can devote the time and energy to caring for it, then by all means, you should adopt. It does not matter if you are a youngster or a senior citizen. The quality time the bird spends with you will be rewarding for both you and the bird. No one knows what will happen tomorrow, so don’t let numbers keep you from making a commitment that will make you happy and help a deserving bird!