NEED TO KNOW
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Sonny, a cockatiel from Illinois, was named the world’s oldest cockatiel by Guinness World Records in late 2025
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In January, Sonny turned 33, continuing his reign as the oldest living cockatiel
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Sonny’s age is more than double the average lifespan of a cockatiel, which is 10 to 15 years
King of the cockatiels!
A Northbrook, Ill.-based cockatiel named Sonny has officially landed the title of the World’s Oldest Cockatiel Living, per the Guinness World Records, doubling the age of the average bird from the same species.
Guinness World Records (GWR) confirmed Sonny as a record-breaker in October 2025; he was 32 years and 292 days old, according to GWR, and in January, he celebrated his 33rd birthday.
The average cockatiel lives between 10 and 15 years, meaning Sonny’s age is twice that of many of his cockatiel peers.
Sonny celebrates his 32nd birthday in 2025.
Janet Reicher
Sonny lives with the Reicher family in Illinois, and moved in when he was just a few years old. Janet Reicher told GWR that the bird lives on a diet of freshly baked muffins, vegetables, chicken, eggs, bread, pasta, and potatoes.
“We got Sonny when he was 12 weeks old, never thinking he would live this long,” Janet tells PEOPLE. “I guess he has good genes. He has never been sick.”
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Of course, after more than three decades with the family, Sonny has his daily rituals, including sitting on Janet’s knee while she watches TV and socializing with anyone who gives him attention. He rarely spends time in his cage other than to eat, drink, and sleep.
“He has been a great companion to me all these years,” Janet says. “Especially when my husband would travel internationally for his job.”
Sonny enjoys a meal at his home in Illinois.
Janet Reicher
Through the years, Janet and her loved ones have been able to converse with Sonny.
“Sonny is very loving and entertaining,” she shares. “Years ago, he had a larger vocabulary; now that he is much older, his vocabulary has dwindled. He still says ‘Hi Sonny,’ ‘No,’ and ‘Okay.’ “
Sonny has more than doubled the age of the average cockatiel.
Janet Reicher
Sonny’s main talent is his musical ability. He can whistle songs from The Bridge on the River Kwai and the theme songs from The Andy Griffith Show and The Addams Family. However, in his old age, Sonny’s skills have declined.
“We used to do duets while I showered, and he sat on the vanity,” Janet told GWR. “He used to have a large vocabulary, but now it is just a few words with lots of baby babble.”
As for the secret to Sonny’s success, Janet has a few ideas.
“The key to his longevity is cleanliness, human food rich in protein and vegetables, human interaction and lots of love,” she tells PEOPLE.
Read the original article on People
