How Long Do Sun Conures Live? Average Lifespan, Data & Care

Sun conures are bright and colorful birds that are known for their high intelligence and big personalities. While they are endangered in the wild, they are also bred in captivity, so there is no shortage of them as pets.

The big question is, how long do Sun conures live?

It depends on whether the bird is living in the wild or in captivity. The short answer is that it isn’t known how long wild Sun conures can live, but we do have a clear idea of this bird’s lifespan in captivity, which is between 20 and 30 years. Here is everything that you need to know.

The Lifespan of Sun Conures in the Wild

The wild Sun conure lives in South America and is typically found in tropical habitats or forests near the coast. Their habitats are harsh for humans, so studies about their behaviors and lifestyles in the wild have not been prioritized. This means nobody can say how long Sun conures can live in the wild. Many factors play a role in the lifespan of a wild sun conure, such as a loss of habitat (due to human intervention), natural predators, and food availability.

The Lifespan of Sun Conures in Captivity

Luckily, we have a good idea of how long Sun conures can live in captivity. Birds that are well cared for can live anywhere from 20 to 30 years (sometimes even a little longer!) as pets. Therefore, they are pets that require a long-term commitment. Owners should make plans for their pet sun conures just as they would for their kids, in case anything unexpected should happen.

It is important to remember that there are no guarantees about exactly how long a specific Sun conure will live. However, owners can control a few factors to ensure a long and happy life for their birds.

Why Do Some Sun Conures Live Longer Than Others?

A few factors in a pet conure’s environment can affect how long the bird ultimately lives. Luckily, owners can control most of these factors and play a role in optimizing their birds’ lifespan.

1. Nutrition

Unfortunately, many birds in captivity suffer from unbalanced nutrition because their owners don’t know precisely which foods the species requires. If a Sun conure’s diet is inconsistent or lacking nutrients, serious health problems can develop that may ultimately contribute to an untimely death.

Owners should consult a veterinarian to find out what their bird should eat. However, a general diet should be followed when it comes to feeding time. Sun conures should eat a commercial pellet diet formulated for them.

Various fruits, berries, and vegetables should also be offered daily. These birds are susceptible to calcium and vitamin A deficiencies, and foods high in these nutrients, such as sunflower seeds, are essential for good health and a long lifespan.

2. Exercise

Just like humans, Sun conures require exercise to stay fit and healthy. Without enough exercise, they can quickly become obese and develop the diseases (such as diabetes) that come along with being overweight. Sun conures need plenty of room in their habitats to fly from perch to perch for exercise throughout the day.

However, caged exercise is just the bare minimum. Sun conures should be let out of their cages daily for exercise around the house.  They may want to perch on the back of a chair and exercise their lungs with a little singing. Exercise outside the cage results in a more robust and healthier Sun conure overall.

3. Mental Stimulation

Sun conures that are bored can become depressed and start to mutilate themselves. They may not eat as much as they should throughout the day and might stop drinking water. Ultimately, a bored bird will not live nearly as long as a bird that enjoys daily mental stimulation. Luckily, there are many ways owners can provide mental stimulation.

Placing mirrors, blocks to peck at, perches to hang out on, bushes to investigate, hollowed tree branches to explore, and hanging beads to play with will provide a Sun conure with plenty of activity to engage in while spending time inside their habitat. Engaging in trick training and conversations with human companions also provides mental stimulation that will help ensure a long and healthy life.

Final Thoughts

The Sun conure can be an excellent pet for families of all types. They are interactive, social, intelligent, and easy-going. They can live for decades, too! Luckily, we do not have to rely only on nature to give our pet birds a long and healthy life. The trick is to make health and longevity a priority from day one. The goal should be at least a 20-year lifespan.

• Related Read: How to Tell the Age of a Lovebird (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit by: Butterfly Hunter, Shutterstock