The smaller psittacines, like budgies, parakeets, and cockatiels, generally only live 8?15 years, while the larger birds, like macaws and grey parrots, can live 25?50 years. The oldest known parrot was a cockatoo, at least 82 years old at its death.

Parrots are famous for their extreme longevity, and their "age limit" varies drastically by species. Smaller birds like Budgies typically live 5 to 15 years, while Cockatiels can reach 20 to 25 years. However, larger parrots are a lifelong commitment: African Greys and Amazons regularly live 40 to 60 years, and Macaws and Cockatoos have been known to exceed 80 years in captivity. The oldest documented parrot was an Major Mitchell's Cockatoo named Cookie who lived to be 83 at the Brookfield Zoo. These birds often outlive their original owners, necessitating a "retirement plan" or a provision in a will. Their lifespan is heavily influenced by diet—specifically avoiding an all-seed diet which leads to fatty liver disease—and mental stimulation. In the wild, their lifespans are often shorter due to predation and environmental factors, but in a healthy home environment with proper avian veterinary care, they are among the longest-living pets on the planet.