Aging in Macaws

Abstract

Macaws are noted for being hardy and long-lived. Estimates of their natural life span are often quoted as 60 years or longer. In actuality, little documented evidence of the life span or aging process of macaws exists in the literature. This review of health records on a group of known age macaws provides some insight into the aging process and longevity of macaws in captivity and may assist in understanding population dynamics in wild macaw populations.

Ocular findings and reference values for selected ophthalmic diagnostic tests in the macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) and southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome)

“…Older psittacine birds develop cataracts and in a group of aging macaws with ophthalmic disorders, cataracts were the most common problem. The macaw eyes with rapidly developing cataracts often progressed to phacolytic uveitis . Other reported causes of cataracts in birds include congenital, hereditary, blunt trauma, infectious diseases such as avian encephalomyelitis, Marek's disease, Newcastle disease, toxoplasmosis, nutritional, and toxicosis .…”

Birds as Models of Aging in Biomedical Research

“…By contrast, the acrobatically flighted swifts (order Apodiformes) have exceptionally low mortality rates for their body size and the biogeographic region in which they live (Pomeroy 1990). Also particularly long-lived are the parrots (order Psittaformes), in which some captive individuals of large species have been reasonably well-documented to approach or exceed the 100 year mark (Etchepare 1990), although reproductive senescence may be reached much earlier (Clubb and Karpinski 1992). Also notable for their exceptional longevity are oceanic seabirds of several orders (Holmes and Austad 1995a), some of which show no decline in reproductive activity to at least 40 years of age (Ollason and Dunnet 1988).…”

“…For instance, aged macaws exhibit weight loss, muscle atrophy, reduced activity, stiffening joints, increased incidence of dermal dysplasia, generalized thinning of skin, and senile cataracts (Clubb and Karpinski 1992). A wide range of age-related pathologies have also been reported in birds, and many of these are specifically analogous to human diseases.…”

Psittacine birds

“…In old age there are often degenerative eye changes such as cataracts (Clubb and Karpinski, 1993). This structure is particularly important to the bird, as its movement is effected by skeletal muscle and is therefore under conscious control.…”