How long can birds live?
Submitted by Wimberley1 on
The Laysan albatross is the longest-lived bird. (Submittted photo)
Jerry Hall
How long can a bird live?
The answer depends on the species and whether it is in captivity or in the wild. Generally, large birds live longer than small ones and birds in captivity live longer than those in the wild.
According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife study, the laysan albatross, with a wingspan of almost seven feet, has a maximum recorded lifespan of more than 37 years. A northern shrike, which is about 10 inches long, has a recorded lifespan of just more three years.
Top five birds in terms of longevity are laysan albatross, Arctic tern, great frigatebird, Western gull and common murre. All these lived over 20 years.
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