What is the Lifespan of a Songbird?

Most of the birds seen in cages are songbirds, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, and songbirds make up more than half the world's bird population.

  1. Types

    • There are more than 4,000 species of songbird. These birds make up between 35 and 55 different families. All songbirds have highly developed vocal organs.

    Size

    • There may be a correlation between the size of the bird and its lifespan. Some larger birds may live longer than smaller birds. Mourning doves live between seven to 10 years; hummingbirds typically live for between three and five years, according to Songbird Essentials. This isn't always the rule however; sparrows can live between four and 15 years, according to studies done by the United States Geological Society.

    Habitat

    • Birds that live in the wild may have shorter life spans than their captive peers. There are many more factors in the wild that can contribute to the shorter life spans, such as predators that caged birds do not face.