Owls' lifespans vary significantly depending on the species and whether they live in the wild or captivity.
- In the wild , most owls live between 5 and 12 years on average, though some species can live longer. Larger species tend to have longer lifespans than smaller ones
- In captivity , owls generally live longer due to protection from predators, steady food supply, and medical care. Lifespans can extend up to 20 to 35 years or more depending on the species
Here are some examples of owl species and their lifespans:
Species| Wild Lifespan| Captivity Lifespan
---|---|---
Barn Owl| 4 to 9 years (avg 4)| Up to 15-20 years
Snowy Owl| Up to 10 years| Up to 28-30 years
Burrowing Owl| 3 to 6 years| Up to 12 years
Great Horned Owl| Up to 27 years| Up to 35 years, some captive individuals
lived up to 50 years
Tawny Owl| 4 to 5 years (avg)| Over 27 years
Many Barn Owls die young, with an average life expectancy around 18 months to 4 years in the wild due to predation, starvation, and human-related hazards. However, the oldest recorded Barn Owl lived up to 15-21 years
. Great Horned Owls can live up to 27 years in the wild, and captive individuals have been known to reach 50 years
. In summary, owls typically live about 5 to 12 years in the wild, but some species and individuals can live much longer, especially in captivity where lifespans can reach 20 to 30 years or more
