Traveling With Your Bird
By Dr. Jeanne Smith DVM Avian Health Service

Hard plastic pet carriers are the best way to transport your bird by air or surface transportation. Choose a size that allows your bird to stand up straight on the perch you provide. Dog and cat carriers can be modified for birds by drilling small screw holes on either side of the carrier 1 - 3 inches from the bottom (1 inch for small birds, up to 3 inches for large cockatoos or macaws). Screw a perch across the width of the carrier. Use a diameter that is easy for the bird to grip. The plastic floor of the carrier or newspaper are too slippery; glue Velcro to the floor in the four corners. Cut a towel to fit in the floor of the carrier and sew Velcro tabs on the four corners of the towel. Velcro the towel into place. This is absorbent, will not slip out of place, offers good footing, and can be laundered. If your bird is a major chewer you may need to reinforce the plastic air holes with heavy gauge cage wire to prevent your bird from enlarging the holes while traveling. Just drill holes and bolt the wire in to place on the inside of the carrier.

For short trips, less than an hour or two, don't provide water. You might put a few treats in for something for the bird to nibble on or play with. For longer trips, give the bird fresh fruits and veggies for moisture and food. Water will only spill and dry food will only make your bird more thirsty. You can supply millet sprays for very small birds such as finches, canaries, budgies and cockatiels. These birds shouldn't go very long without food. If you have the opportunity to stop and offer water and dry food at stops along the way, do so.

If you supply toys, don't use swinging, hanging toys or swings. They can swing in transit and hurt your bird. Anchor toys so they are stable.

Wing trim your bird before travel. Accidents can happen and if a carrier accidentally opens you don't want your bird to be able to fly. It is probably best not to trim your bird's nails prior to the trip. The longer, sharper nails will allow your bird to get a better grip during transport.

When shipping birds, make sure the sides of the crate are not straight-sided. Air holes can become blocked by surrounding luggage if the sides are straight.

Birds that become very stressed by travel or that become carsick can be given a couple of drops of valerian extract orally or chamomile tea prior to travel to calm them down.

Make sure you check with the airlines and the state or country of your destination to find out if you need a health certificate for your bird. Sometimes all you need is a letter from your veterinarian, stating that they found your bird to be in good health, sometimes you will need a state health certificate or a USDA health certificate. Find out in advance so you can make proper arrangements.