geriatric lovebird?

[jimpierce]

Anybody have older lovebirds? I know one of my newest fosters is at least 10 y/o. She had it rough for awhile being near death from injuries and malnutrition. I guess it was 5+ years ago that an adopter got her a mate. Two years ago Paulie hatched. Then the mate died some time after that.
I've looked around a bit and I'm thinking maybe Patti is a little on the geriatric side of life? I'm going by her actions and how she just seems to be older.

[linda040899]

I have a male Pied Green Peachie who is probably 19 right now. He was given to me as a companion for one of my hens who lost her mate and I was told he was between 8 and 9 at the time. With Peaches, yes, you can tell he is older. I have a couple of others that are around 10 and it's a bit harder. It usually becomes obvious around age 13, as they tend to slow down a bit.

[Z28Taxman]

Ditto is 10 and other than maybe napping a bit more than he used to, he's still the same Dittobird he's always been. Sometimes I think he's only 2 the way he acts.

One thing is for sure, his appetite hasn't slowed down. He eats enough to be a Macaw! :omg:

I hope he lasts as long as Linda's 19 year old!

[michael]

According to B.B. Lovebird's previous owners vet records, he turned 12 yrs of age Nov 5, 2012. Far from being a geriatric, to this date he remains as active as ever, often pursuing a "sockmate" whenever the opportunity should arise. ..........:wink:

[jimpierce]

Either Pattie had a real hard life before being rescued (she did) or she is older. I am trying to figure it out so I know where to right up the experience you know? Should I see it again.

[michael]

Jim. .. In 2006, when we initially took in our late lovebird Goofy, we were told his age was around two yrs. Not until several vet exams later, some research into his breeders background, and a good talk with said breeders wife (he was her fav because of his yellow tailfeathers and spot on top his head), did we find he was in fact much older. Approx age today would be 13. .. Long story short. A good many of the birds they sold were in very poor health. Some unfortunately a product of inbreeding. Many not lasting beyond the age of 5. .. How much, if any, of these conditions may have contributed to Goof's overall health is really difficult to pin down. But both me and the vet agreed, its likely the reason he has always appeared to struggle healthwise a little more than most birds.

From what I understand, the avian aging process can be affected by many factors. From breeding practices to husbandry, to injuries and sadly abuse, its difficult to apply any sort of degenerative consistency between any two particular birds. We can however, by way of yearly vet exams, sort of guage the process, and in turn, do our best to manage or treat it accordingly. If it helps, some of the things we kept track of during Goof's exams, were changes within the eye's, arthritis, thinning of the skin, and loss of muscle tone. His appetite and good nature had always remained intact. .........:)