Lifespan of Society Finches

[snowy]

I feel kind of bad because I just looked on a website regarding Bengalese finches & it said the lifespan is shorter than most finches, about 4 years! Is this true?

[delray]

I would say that is not true. That sounds rediculous. If you give your finches the love and care they deserve then their life span should be like any other finch. Hope I am right about it

[Zebrafincher]

Hello Snowy,

I have heard lifespan estimates for finches from 5-7 years (average), up to 10 years (extreme age)....I think it depends on the bird, its health, background etc. If your bird is sickly from the start, most likely its overall lifespan may be shorter.

My oldest finch so far was 7 years, and he couldn't fly! I have a canary, Kevin, who is 12 years old, and is still going strong.

Good luck with your birds

Kind Regards

Zebrafincher

[Corkysgirl]

I have two zebra finches that are 10 years 4 months. Another member has a zebra finch that is 12 years old. Zebras can live up to 14 years old...the oldest known to live has been 15 years. Most live 5-7 and less when not in captivity.
http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/Biology/labani ... finch.html

[lovezebs]

Folks, we are wondering about Societies, not Zebras or Canaries. I would like to know the answer to that one as well.

So to all people who breed and or own Societies, how long do they live? And, what's the oldest Socie you've ever had, or heard about?

[Corkysgirl]

[quote=Zebrafincher]I have heard lifespan estimates for finches from 5-7 years (average), up to 10 years (extreme age)....I think it depends on the bird, its health, background etc. If your bird is sickly from the start, most likely its overall lifespan may be shorter.
My oldest finch so far was 7 years, and he couldn't fly! I have a canary, Kevin, who is 12 years old, and is still going strong.
[/quote]
@Corkysgirl[quote="I have two zebra finches that are 10 years 4 months. Another member has a zebra finch that is 12 years old. Zebras can live up to 14 years old...the oldest known to live has been 15 years. Most live 5-7 and less when not in captivity.
http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/Biology/labani ... finch.html[/quote]
@lovezebs "We" are responding to snowy who is inquiring about her Bengalese/Society finch...also writing...as we wish to do, about our own situations with our finches, comparatively. As quoted by Zebrafincher..."It depends on the bird, its health, background, etc......and also giving an example of his/her own birds. I also am stating the age of my birds that are very old, and gave a "very specific" link, if you read it, about the exact subject that he asked, the Bengalese finch and it's life span. Did you ask? You said "we."
If you are now asking...my answer is I have one society finch, a male that is 9 years and 3 months and two that are 8 years old, a male and a female.

[MiaCarter]

Zebrafincher -- Well said!
There are tons of different factors that affect lifespan.

In my experience, it does seem that society finches live for a shorter period of time than some other species. But it's not so dramatic as 4 years in my experience.
I'd have to look through my papers for exact ages, but I believe most of my societies have lived in the 5-6 year range. Same for nuns and strawberries, whereas zebras and gouldians tend to live 6-8, spices a bit longer and so on and so forth.

Like one of the other members, I have a zebra finch that turned 12 on June 7, and he's nothing special in terms of genetics. I provide a great level of care, but I don't think that's related to longevity, as otherwise, I'd expect all of my finches to live super long lives.

I think it's just like humans. Some die young in their 40s, others live to 102 and they're still going strong.
You can only provide good care and diet and hope for the best.

I do wonder if the common-ness of society finches is a factor here. They're a prolific species and they're extremely common in pet shops; those birds tend to be a bit weaker than a breeder-raised bird.

[mayble]

Excellent question - I've seen the same info and wondered about it myself. I've only had societies for less than two years, so I don't have any experience to draw on.
I also wonder if the way they are often used as breeding/fostering machines might have something to do with it, just by wearing them out. And as MiaCarter pointed out, they are so plentiful in pet stores (particularly chain stores) which suggests there are massive "finch mills" churning out quantity in lieu of quality, so that is certainly a factor. There are likely far more commercially bred Societies out there than hobby or exhibition breeders are producing.
I'd wager that a home-bred, well cared for bird that isn't overbred would live a bit longer.

[Corkysgirl]

As a side note, mine weren't Pet store bought, but came from a great breeder. I also never used mine to foster. I don't know if that added any time to their lives.

[ac12]

2 of mine lived to about 5 years, the 3rd is going on 6.
When they died, there was no clue that they were entering senior-old-age, I just found them dead.

But as was said, if you take care of them, vs the average bird owner who does not take good care of the bird, yours should live longer, on average.

[MiaCarter]

ac12 -- It's funny you mention this, as I've had the same experience with several societies dying very suddenly, without any of the usual signs of decline/old age. They do seem more prone to a more sudden death than some other species. Or perhaps they just hide it really well -- very possible.

In any event, I'm not sure this is a bad thing. I've had other finches waste away, sick on and off for the final weeks or months of life. Not a good way to go. Whereas societies seem to be more apt to be in a situation where they're never sick a day in their lives...and then they're gone.

[ac12]

Mia
In my case, I was really upset, because I was trying to breed him, as he was a good foster.
First a dud cutch, then when setting up for another clutch, found him dead on the cage floor

[Corkysgirl]

Wow...I don't know which is harder...dealing with sickness, or suddenly finding them dead. I've had three sudden deaths, and I think I prefer the sickness route. At least you have a warning of what's coming. Not sure about how merciful it is for the bird though. It's the hard part about loving them.

[wildbird]

I would think a bird living that short a life span would be a single poorly cared for, seed only, living in a small cage. It would seem with a good diet & exercise they could live into their teens.

[finchmix22]

My oldest Society died about age 6 or 7, but he started to look bad and fluffed for several weeks before he died. Even with heat lamps, good food, and electrolytes, he only lived about six years, maybe seven as I can't recall how long the other breeder had him before me. He did not show other signs of being sick like abnormal droppings and he was eating/drinking well. Who really knows? It's frustrating sometimes. I've found different species dead on the floor of the cage without any signs of illness or injury. I usually assume they had a night fright or something similar. Even though I keep a blue night light in the bird room.