How long do monk parakeets live?
The oldest Monk Parakeet on record lived to 22.1 years, a record from a bird in captivity. That is a ceiling, not an average: most wild monk parakeets live only a few years.
- Longest recorded lifespan
- 22.1 years
- Record from
- Bird in captivity
- Age at first breeding
- About 2 years
- Eggs per clutch
- 4–8 eggs
- Broods per year
- 1–2 per season
- Size
- 11 in, 3.4–5.3 oz
Record age versus typical age
Longevity records come from birds that were marked and later found again, usually through bird banding, or from birds kept in zoos. They show what a Monk Parakeet can survive to, not what most do. This one comes from captivity, where there are no predators, storms or food shortages, so wild monk parakeets rarely come close.
For small birds, the first year is the hardest. Many eggs and nestlings are lost to predators and weather, and young birds that leave the nest still have to learn to find food and avoid hawks and cats. A bird that survives its first winter has a much better chance of living several more years. That is why average lifespans in the wild are short even when the record is long.
Monk parakeets usually start breeding at about 2 years old. Each season a pair lays 4–8 eggs and raises 1–2 per season, with eggs taking 24 days to hatch.
More about monk parakeets
Frequently asked
How long do monk parakeets live?
The longest-lived Monk Parakeet on record reached 22.1 years, recorded from a bird in captivity. Most wild monk parakeets live far shorter lives, because the majority of young birds don't survive their first year.
How old is a Monk Parakeet when it first breeds?
Usually about 2 years old.
What is the oldest Monk Parakeet ever recorded?
22.1 years, according to the AnAge longevity database.
How many young can a Monk Parakeet raise in a year?
Pairs lay 4–8 eggs and raise 1–2 per season.
Source: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Human Ageing Genomic Resources), record quality "acceptable", sample size "large". genomics.senescence.info