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Doctor Hess: So in general the lifespan of
a bird is based on size.

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Most of the larger birds live longer.

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Many of the big Macaws that we see, even the
Amazon Parrots, the African Greys can live

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30 to 40, sometimes even more years in captivity.

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Most birds in captivity don't live as long
as in the wild, becasue they are not exposed

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to the same fresh air, and sunlight, and nutrition
as they would get in the wild.

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But these birds are very, very long lived,
which makes them actually very popular pets.

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And some of the smaller birds, however, live
shorter periods.

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I mean, what would you say?

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You have Cockatiels, and smaller birds.

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Sarah: I would say, Cockatiels and smaller
birds, like this little green cheek Conure,

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usually around 20 years.

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I would say that the better diet and care
they get early on, the longer you can expect

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to have a healthy bird in your home.

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Doctor Hess: Absolutely, I mean, some of the
small Parakeets, the Budgerigars, we used

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to think 6 to 8 years.

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We've seen them actually live into their teens
now that we know what their requirements are.

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I've been a bird veterinarian for almost 20
years.

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And the recommendations I make now are very,
very different from those I made years ago.

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And we know that all these recommendations
are very, very important in keeping kidneys

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healthy, the liver healthy, bodies functioning
longer.

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So it is really important to seek out the
advice of a veterinarian comfortable with

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birds, so you can learn about what's best
for your birds, so that he or she can be happy

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and healthy for a very long time.