Sunday, April 6, 2014

The Lifespans of Birds

According to the U.S. Geological Survey's Bird Banding Lab in Maryland, the longest lived species of birds are as follows (if they make it past their first year, of course):


  • Laysan Albatross: 50 yrs. 8 mos.
  • Black-footed Albatross: 40 yrs. 8 mos.
  • Great Frigatebird: 38 yrs. 2 mos.
  • White Tern: 35 yrs. 11 mos. 
  • Sooty Tern: 35 yrs. 10 mos.
  • Wandering Albatross: 34 yrs. 7 mos.
  • Arctic Tern: 34 yrs.
  • Red-tailed Tropicbird: 32 yrs. 8 mos.
  • Black-browed Albatross: 32 yrs. 5 mos. 
  • Atlantic Puffin: 31 yrs.

Longest known lifespans of other birds from various records:

  • American Goldfinch, Eastern Bluebird, Yellow Warbler: 10 yrs.
  • American Robin, Tufted Titmouse: 13 yrs.
  • American Crow, American Kestrel, Northern Mockingbird: 14 yrs. 
  • House Sparrow, Northern Cardinal: 15 yrs. 
  • Eastern Screech Owl: 20 yrs. 
  • Mallard: 26 yrs.
  • Great Horned Owl: 27 yrs.
  • Bald Eagle, Canada Goose: 30 yrs.
  • Mourning Dove, Sandhill Crane: 31 yrs. 


Resource:
Erickson, Laura. The Bird Watching Answer Book. North Adams: Storey Publishing, 2009.

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