Birds on a plane!

[Things]

So, I live in Australia and I am thinking about relocating. I have 2 cockatiels, one younger one and an older one. The distance I'd need to travel is a bit beyond what I'd wish to drive in a car, so I'd probably end up taking a plane. I'm just curious, how do you go about taking birds on a plane? And if anyone else is in Aus, are there certain airlines that allow pets etc?

I would imagine they'd be fine in one of those little pet carrier cage things, though I'd be worried that during takeoff/landing they may flutter about and hurt themselves. I know with dogs you can get sedatives, but can you get them for birds also?

Also, another question, I'd be moving into a completely opposite climate to what I have here. Here in Far North QLD, the weather is usually always warm/hot and humid, being in the tropics, whereas where I am moving is a very cool climate. The birds would live inside of course, as they have always done, though are they able to adapt to cooler climates? If needed I could probably sort out a way of heating the cage, and slowly decrease the temperature over a few months or so? As people here could relate to, these birds are my babies, so to speak, so I wouldn't want to leave them behind

Cheers,
Dan

[Pipers Mom]

Hi Dan,
First, I would check with the airline to see if they will allow birds. I know in the states there is one or two airlines that will allow so many in first class or coach and some are very restricted on to what kind of bird. Some airlines will not allow parrots, however will allow canaries, finches and budgies. Second, I would recommend consulting with an avian vet before you and your fid fly the friendly skies. Third, I live in a climate with all four seasons. We are in our winter months now. When I had my tiels, I always kept them away from any kind of draft and the temperature in my home was at comfortable 73 degrees. I never used any kind of heater except the furnace in my home. My fids did absolutely fine during the season changes. I wouldn't want to leave my babies behind either.

[Marrie]

Some airlines allow birds in the cabin and I wouldn't want to put them in cargo if I could avoid it. You will need an airline approved carrier, so you will have to talk to the airline to get which ones are OK. Most airlines over here require a health certificate from a vet before flying, not sure if the laws are the same over there.

They can adjust to a cooler climate, as long as it isn't too cold, if there is no draft and the temperature is pretty steady (drastic drops are more dangerous). So it would depend on how much colder, but if they are too cold to start with you could start out with heating and slowly lower it to let them adjust their bodies to the change more gradually, as long as it isn't super cold they should adjust.

[maxollie]

Another suggestion would be to cover the top of the cages with a flannel baby blanket or some type or throw, throughout the day, so they can adapt to the different climate. Do you have male tiels, or a male and female. Females are quite fine tuned to the weather in their egg laying habits, so changing the environment of a female might cause egg laying behavior. I would think that airlines ship birds from Austrailia. I know here in the States if you purchase a bird from another State, some breeders will ship birds, depending upon the time of year. I know they don't ship in late fall or winter, nor do they ship in the hot, hot summer. Hopefully you can find information from an Airline and/or Airport, or be directed appropriately. And like Carolyn, and I'm sure Marrie would agree, I wouldn't want to leave my little budgie Muffin, and my little tiel, Ollie behind either!

[Things]

Thanks for the suggestions

I suppose I'll have to call around and see what the airlines say, just don't want them to get night fright in flight (Hehe) and hurt themselves.

They are both male as far as I can tell.

And yes, the temperature change isn't too drastic. Not like 30C into a -20C climate for example. Just, here during the summer we get up around 34C, and winter is usually no lower then 12C (Much higher inside of course), whereas where I am moving, summer is an average 31C, but winter night temps average around 3C (And can sometimes drop into the -'s).

[Marrie]

One thing I need to add is some cargo airlines do temperature control and some do not - if it is not temp controlled you need to be CAREFUL since the birds will be more easily over heated/too cold and even some with temp control will leave the birds out on the loading lane, in whatever temp it happens to be outside (even if it is deadly hot or cold).

[Things]

Thanks for that info. I have read a bit about the birds being left out in the weather during loading etc. The temperatures here and there are pretty similar at the moment, so rapid changes shouldn't be too much of an issue. Maybe excess heat from sun exposure could cause an issue, but I would assume they'd have a system in place for this sort of thing. It seems unlikely that pets are allowed in cabin, which is a shame as I'd love to have my babies with me for the trip, but I can see why they'd say no.

I'll give them a call in a few days time and report back, for future reference

[Marrie]

Daniel, a lot of airlines don't pay attention to excess sun exposure. Even the large ones over here (recently left a hairless cat out in below freezing temps for hours to die of exposure, have left plenty of animals outside in blaring sun all day, etc) don't bring common sense into play when handling our pets. Some airlines DO have procedures for bad weather - IE: when it's hot animals are left in an cooled loading building until they can go onto the plane. I just mentioned it because sadly it is up to us to check with them that they do indeed handle those properly, many, many animals die every year being flown because owners simply assume (which they should be able to rightly assume!) that the airline wouldn't do something that any person should know would cause their pets death.

A lot of our airlines do let birds into the cabin, so call a few different ones to ask. I don't know your Australian airports and all I can find are American/European ones when I google search ! Another way to find a good airline for your bird is to call breeders in the area, a lot of them ship so they would know what airline handles birds with care.

Good luck and I hope the move goes smoothly.

[Things]

So got my call returned today from the airline I was considering going on (Virgin blue) and they said that the birds can go on the same flight as me. They said it'll be around $170 (eeek!) but not really any other choice.

Also went to a pet shop and they had a transport cage which they sold to me for $15. Has a little divider I can put in if the birds bicker together too much.





Sanded the inside of it down to remove all the droppings of the previous birds. Being MDF I can't really wash it, but I did give it a dry wipe down too.

Now I suppose I need to start letting the birds get used to it. How would you suggest doing this? I haven't tried yet, but they probably won't be too keen on going in there.

Also for the flight, should I get some dowel or something and put it in as a perch? Or better if they just sit on the floor?

It also has 2 little plastic water containers, though I don't think they would last long before spilling. Would the birds be fine in a ~4 ish hour flight without water, or should I look at getting them to eat something watery, like watermelon?

One last thing, I might have to check in with the airline on this, but does anyone know if there is light in the cargo department? My younger tiel has night frights fairly frequently, I've got a small night light in their cage at home and it helps a lot, so wondering whether I might need to put in a small battery powered light for them?

Cheers,
Dan

[2Birds2Many]

I brought my Petra on a plane once a few yrs back, he sat right in my lap the whole 3hr flight and i didnt need paperwork or anything, I live in the US though so im sure the rules are diff. just thought id share. lol

[karlyyjadee]

Hello I read your post about flying. Have you travelled yet ?? If so how did it go ?? Do any Australian airlines allow travel on cabin ?? If not do you have any tips on travelling my tiel in cargo.

Thanks, Karly

[amydlsf]

Hello,

I would also love to know how any other in-cabin flights have gone. We are moving to Sweden in July! I will have my 2 cockatiels in the cabin with me from San Francisco-Chicago. From Chicago-Stockholm, they will be in the hold, per SAS regulations.

My questions right now involve soft v. hard carriers. 2Birds2Many, (or anyone!), I would love to know exactly what type of carrier you used in the cabin.

United Airline's in-cabin pet carrier policy is a bit limited re: sizes allowed. The hard in-cabin carrier I prefer is: http://www.birdsupplies.com/cabin-ke...-bird-carrier/, but it is 8" tall, and United's limit is 7.5" tall for hard carriers (per their website).

I bought a sturdy "soft" carrier that I can outfit with a perch, etc. and it's within the size limits. Here it is: http://www.sherpapet.com/page.asp?id...ffle%20Carrier. I can still return it.

Do you think I should worry about the 1/2", or should I call United and discuss the issue with them? I was just so surprised that they are allowing my 2 birds in the cabin, and I don't want to do anything against their rules / that might have them turn me away on the day of the flight, etc.

Thank you!

[Eliz Aisling]

Amy,

I'm surprised they're willing to let two birds in cabin with you, as well! That's lucky.

I'm flying over the Canadian border with my Calliope in September. This is the carrier I have for her: All Living Things Small Animal Carrier.

It's really nice and not expensive. Got it at the PetSmart where I work (it's the small one). It's sturdy, ventilated on three sides, and opens on three sides. I've put her in it before and she doesn't seem to mind it.

Daniel - I would maybe look for another carrier... that one makes me nervous. Try to find a nice soft-sided one like I have. I know there aren't PetSmarts in Australia and this particular carrier is a PetSmart exclusive, but I'm sure you could find something similar. There are rules about how it closes (doesn't look like there's anything to secure that sliding door). I was reading over a document at one point, the laws regarding carriers you can use to carry animals in flights. If I can find it again, I'll post the link here. I don't remember specifically what it said, I just remembered checking to make sure my carrier was acceptable, and it is.

Doves are more comfortable on flatter surfaces so I haven't bothered worrying about a perch.

I would also avoid the cargo hold if at all possible. Being in a new situation can be stressful enough for a bird, so if you have to travel I would recommend arranging it so that your bird can be with you at all times. I've heard horror stories about birds coming home after being in the cargo hold and dying the next day... I don't know what I would do if anything happened to my Calliope!

Best of luck.

[amydlsf]

Hi Eliz,

Thank you so much for the recommendation - I like the sturdier sides on the All Living Things Small Carrier - they seem much stronger than the walls of the Sherpa soft carrier that I have. I will head to PetSmart and check it out.

I am waiting to hear back from US Fish & Wildlife, who have to approve my international bird "shipment" right before departure, to see if they approve soft carriers for birds in the cabin. I don't think they have specific requirements on this, but I am checking with them to be certain . . . one just never knows!

Best,
Amy

[Eliz Aisling]

Amy,

You're welcome!

For you or anyone else interested, I found the legal document I was reading about acceptable carriers. I found the link on the FWS website. It's a section of CFR 50, subpart J: Standards for the Humane and Healthful Transport of Wild Mammals and Birds to the United States. I believe this applies only to those animals considered "wild" species (I found out my Calliope is technically considered "wildlife", despite the fact that ringneck doves don't exist in the wild!) but the rules for the carriers should be similar for domestic birds.

Here is the link to subpart J. Scroll down to "§ 14.106 Primary enclosures".

Here is the link to the entire CFR Title 50 document.


If I get a chance, I will see if I can find documents specific to domestic birds. As with all of you traveling with cockatiels and other parrot-related species, there are probably special regulations and permits required for their travel because they are often considered "exotic". Luckily I've dodged that since I have a dove, but the process is still so complicated! I probably don't need to say this, but make sure you do as much research and make as many phone calls as possible to ensure you have no unwanted surprises at the airport!

[amydlsf]

Hello again!

I have another question for anyone who has taken a cockatiel on a plane and had the bird(s) in the cabin - mostly about behavior. Did the cockatiel stay pretty quiet or ? Our bird Benny is quite vocal / loud, even when riding in the car with us. He tends to be a bit boisterous! I am hoping he won't get too loud on the airplane, and I plan to have a towel over the carrier which should help. Still, I'm curious how things have gone for others.

Thank you,
Amy

[Things]

Just thought I'd update this thread. The birds ended up going in the little carrier box through "Jetpets", they arrived safe and sound, would definitely go with them again. They didn't travel on the same plane is me, Jetpets use Qantas, however usually they can organize to have the birds arrive within 1/2 hour of you. The birds went on a better airline than I did!!