[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ost songbirds have short lives. Typically, those in the wild live only about eight months before dying or being killed. It’s a tough old world.
But some birds, particularly those in remote locations with few predators, live much longer. Take the wandering albatross, it can easily reach 40 years of age. And one banded albatross which soared around the cold seas of Antarctica was 80 years old. In fact, some birds outlive their bands which either wear out or come apart under stress.
A cockatoo at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo was 77 on its last birthday.
Let us also consider other animals and their maximum ages. Oldest known dog lived to 29 years, which in human years would be 206. A female tabby named Crème Puff lived to be 38 years and 3 days. The oldest rabbit was 18. Spiders can live to be 28.
And the oldest known termite queens routinely live over 50 years and up to 100 years.
To all who read this, I wish you a long and happy life – may your joys be as deep as the ocean and your misfortune as light as its foam.
