UK's Oldest Bird(s)??

Derick Evans · **Posted:** Tue Mar 26, 2013 2:03 am

I was asked a question today. "How long do birds live". :roll:

I recalled reading a couple of years ago about an Oystercatcher ringed in Linc's, then caught again 35 years later. Making it the oldest known wading bird in the British Isles, at that time.
But that sea birds live much longer with Arctic tern returning to the Farne Islands after 30 years and that Manx Shearwater and Fulmar are recorded as living to 50+. (It must be the omega 3)

Does anyone know the oldest recorded bird species in the british isles?

John Walker · **Posted:** Tue Mar 26, 2013 8:14 am

I think its a ringed manx shearwater that was 50 years old
but that datas fairly old now.
regards John.

Stuart Britton · **Posted:** Tue Mar 26, 2013 10:21 am

You are spot on, John. The oldest known wild bird in the UK is a Manx Shearwater which was ringed at Bardsey Island on July 18th 1951 and re-trapped on May 8th 2008, some 50 years, 11 months and 21 days later. Currently, the oldest wild bird in the world is a female Laysan Albertross at 62 years which succesfully bred this year!

John Walker · **Posted:** Wed Apr 03, 2013 5:46 pm

Thanks Stuart, thought you would know .
regards John.

The Lincolnshire Bird Club

UK's Oldest Bird(s)??

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