Some winged creatures are capable of living for several decades, far outlasting many other forms of wildlife. Their impressive longevity comes from a combination of strong genetics, efficient metabolisms, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. With care, protection, and a stable environment, some individuals have been known to live for more than half a century.
Longevity in these creatures is often linked to their size and lifestyle. Those that conserve energy by gliding long distances or living in calm, predictable environments tend to age more slowly. Their steady rhythms of life and limited exposure to danger help them maintain their health well into old age.
Many long-lived individuals also benefit from strong social bonds and devoted parenting habits. Living in stable groups or returning to the same nesting places year after year offers safety and familiarity. These behaviors reduce stress and provide better chances for survival across generations.
Scientists have long been fascinated by how these creatures resist aging. Their cells often show resilience to damage, and their efficient immune systems keep them healthy for extended periods. Understanding these traits could provide clues about how certain species achieve such remarkable life spans.
Birds With the Longest Lifespan
Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo
The sulphur-crested cockatoo, a striking white parrot with a bright yellow crest native to Australia and New Guinea, holds the record for the longest-lived bird at 120 years, exemplified by Cocky Bennett, who entertained crowds from 1796 to 1916. These intelligent, social birds thrive in eucalypt woodlands, feeding on seeds and fruits while forming lifelong pairs; in captivity, they can exceed 100 years with proper care, but wild lifespans average 40-60 years amid threats like habitat loss and poaching.
Kakapo
The kakapo, New Zealand’s flightless, nocturnal parrot, boasts a maximum lifespan of up to 100 years, with individuals like Richard Henry living around 80 years before his death in 2010. Critically endangered with only about 250 left, these mossy-green “owl parrots” inhabit predator-free islands, foraging on fruits and leaves with a booming mating call; their slow metabolism and low reproductive rate contribute to their extraordinary longevity, making conservation efforts vital.
Scarlet Macaw
Scarlet macaws, vibrant red parrots of Central and South American rainforests, can live up to 90 years in captivity, though wild birds average 40-50 years due to threats like pet trade. With wingspans up to 4 feet, they crack nuts with powerful beaks and travel in noisy flocks, nesting in tree hollows; their intelligence allows mimicry and problem-solving, but deforestation has made them vulnerable.
Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo
Major Mitchell’s cockatoo, or pink cockatoo, a pastel-hued Australian species, reached 83 years in the case of Cookie at Brookfield Zoo, dying in 2016. Inhabiting arid woodlands, these crested parrots feed on seeds and insects, forming strong pair bonds; wild lifespans reach 50-60 years, but habitat clearance and illegal trade endanger their populations.
Greater Flamingo
Greater flamingos, the tallest and pinkest of the flock, have lived 83 years, as seen with “Greater” at Adelaide Zoo until 2014. Wading in African and Eurasian alkaline lakes, they filter-feed on algae and shrimp, building mud mound nests in vast colonies; their longevity supports slow breeding, but pollution and hunting pose risks.
Andean Condor
The Andean condor, South America’s largest flying bird with a 10-foot wingspan, achieves 80 years, like Thaao who died in 2010 at Beardsley Zoo. Soaring over Andean peaks as scavengers, they consume carrion with keen eyesight, breeding every other year; vulnerable due to poisoning, their endurance makes them symbols of wilderness.
Laysan Albatross
The Laysan albatross, a graceful Pacific seabird, exceeds 74 years, as with Wisdom, still breeding in 2025 on Midway Atoll. Gliding effortlessly over oceans to catch squid, they form lifelong pairs and raise one chick biennially; near threatened by plastics and fishing, their dynamic soaring showcases avian mastery.
Southern Ground-Hornbill
Southern ground-hornbills, Africa’s massive black hornbills, live up to 70 years in captivity, roaming savannas in family clans to hunt insects and small vertebrates with booming calls. Ground-dwelling with powerful bills, they nest in tree cavities; their cooperative breeding and longevity aid survival, though habitat loss threatens them.
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
The Eurasian eagle-owl, Europe’s largest owl, reaches 68 years in captivity, preying on rabbits and birds with silent wings across forests and cliffs. With ear tufts for camouflage, they hoot territorially and raise broods in rocky lairs; least concern but persecuted, their nocturnal prowess endures.
Common Ostrich
The common ostrich, the world’s largest bird, lives over 62 years in captivity, sprinting African plains at 40 mph while kicking threats with powerful legs. Flightless ratites, they graze on plants and lay massive eggs in communal scrapes; least concern, their speed and size ensure longevity.
California Condor
California condors, North America’s largest land birds with 9.5-foot wingspans, surpass 60 years in reintroduction programs, scavenging carcasses in rugged canyons. Critically endangered from near-extinction in 1987, now 566 strong, they face lead poisoning; their slow maturity underscores recovery challenges.
African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, Central Africa’s silver-feathered mimics, live over 60 years, famed for Alex’s cognitive feats in studies. Rainforest canopy dwellers, they eat fruits and nuts in flocks, bonding deeply; endangered by trade, their intelligence rivals young children.
Emperor Penguin
Emperor penguins, Antarctica’s tallest birds at 4 feet, reach 50 years, huddling against -60°C winds to incubate eggs on feet. Diving 1,800 feet for fish, they fast months during breeding; climate change melts ice, threatening their resilient colonies.
Eastern Imperial Eagle
Eastern imperial eagles, majestic raptors of Eurasian steppes, attain 56 years, nesting in tall trees to hunt ground squirrels with golden crowns. Migratory and territorial, they pair for life; vulnerable to electrocution, their power defines apex predation.
American Flamingo
American flamingos, Caribbean pink waders, record 49 years wild, sifting shrimp in hypersaline lagoons with upside-down bills. Colonial breeders on one-leg perches, they honk like geese; near threatened by habitat alteration, their flocks mesmerize.
Oriental Stork
Oriental storks, elegant white waders with black wingtips, live 48 years, foraging frogs in Asian wetlands with clattering bills. Monogamous migrants, they build platform nests; endangered by draining, reintroductions boost numbers.
Bald Eagle
Bald eagles, America’s symbol, reach 47 years captive, fishing rivers with 7-foot wings and talon grips. Nesting atop trees, they mate for life; recovered from DDT, now least concern, their vision spots fish from afar.
Spanish Imperial Eagle
Spanish imperial eagles, Iberian dark raptors, hit 44.5 years, hunting hares in dehesa woodlands with fierce yellow eyes. Tree-nesters in pairs, vulnerable to wind farms, their rarity heightens conservation urgency.
Herring Gull
Herring gulls, opportunistic coastal scavengers, live 44 years, dropping shellfish to crack them while wheeling over dumps. White-headed with yellow bills, they breed in noisy colonies; least concern, adapting to humans.
Greater Adjutant
Greater adjutants, gangly Asian storks, achieve 43 years, scavenging landfills with bare heads and massive wings. Wetland foragers, critically endangered by egg collection, their lanky stride aids survival.
White-Tailed Sea Eagle
White-tailed sea eagles, northern fish snatchers, span 42 years, perching on coasts with 8-foot spans to raid nests. Fish-hooked bills, they rebound from persecution; least concern in Europe.
Chilean Eagle
Chilean eagles, Andean black-and-white raptors, reach 42 years, ambushing rodents from high perches in Patagonia. Solitary hunters, near threatened by farming, their agility conquers mountains.
Eurasian Griffon
Eurasian griffons, vulture gliders, endure 41.4 years, circling thermals to spot carrion with wedge tails. Cliff-nesters in flocks, least concern, they sanitize ecosystems.
Marabou Stork
Marabou storks, Africa’s “undertaker birds,” live 41 years, stalking dumps with bald heads and gular sacs. Opportunistic feeders, they breed in trees; least concern, thriving urbanely.