About Bird Carriers Travel Carriers

Traveling with your parrot bird is a fun and rewarding experience. Bird's love to get out and see the world. Parrots are naturally curious, intelligent and social animals so taking them on trips in a safe bird carrier will improve your bond and socialize your parrot. Learn how to safely travel with your bird.

Since parrots are animals of prey in they wild they have strong fear instincts. A quick search of lost bird and lost parrot sites, reminds us how many bird's fly off each day. While many people are able to recover a lost bird, it is stressful for both your bird and your family. Below are a few important hints which will minimize the possibility of losing your parrot during your trip.

• Keep your bird's flight feathers properly groomed whenever you take it outside.
• Train your bird to wear a bird harness or Bird Diaper with optional leash prior to taking it outside.
• Use a sturdy, bird safe carrier like the Wingabago or Perch and Go Bird Carrier.

1. Allow your bird to get used to it's new carrier several days prior to your trip. Leave the bird carrier within view for several days. Place the bird carrier across the room. Then gradually move it closer to your birds cage over the course of a few days. If you will be using a T-perch on top of your bird carrier place your bird on the perch for a short time each day
2. Choose a bird carrier that is large enough for your bird to comfortably perch in without bumping it's head or tail on the top or bottom. Keep in mind that your bird will need time outside it's bird carrier to stretch out several times per day during long trips. Bring your bird's table top bird perch or attach a T-perch to the top of the bird carrier to allow your parrot to stretch and get some exercise.
3. If your bird isn't used to traveling take shore trips around town in the bird carrier before the long trip. It will be helpful to keep your bird accustomed to traveling so that it wont be as stressed during emergency evacuations.
4. Always bring a supply of fresh water from home so a change in water wont upset your bird's delicate intestinal tract on trips Provide drinking water in the carrier at all times. Fill the cup only about 1" full to prevent spilling.
5. Select fruits and vegetables high with high water content to place in a dish in the bird carrier during travel. This minimizes the chance of dehydration. Store the fruit a with ice to keep them from spoiling.
6. Bring a spray bottle to gently cool your bird off when the weather is warm outside. Watch for signs of over-heating such as, mouth open, raised wings, panting.
7. Always bring your copy of your bird's medical records and your veterinarian's telephone number in case an emergency consultation is necessary.
8. Keep your bird carrier out of the direct sun when your parrot is inside. Auto air conditioning or heating will help control the environmental temperature, but be sure to keep your bird out of direct drafts from the vents.
9. Secure the bird carrier in the back seat your car. The impact of an exploding air bag will kill a parrot. Use the same safety precautions you would use for a small child.
10. Bring along a first aid kit. You can purchase a kit at Chirp 'n Squawk Bird Supplies. You may wish to bring which styptic power, gauze, ace bandages, sugar packet to make sugar water and a feeding syringe to administer sugar water in case of dehydration, tweezers or pliers to remove broken blood feathers, scissors and nail clippers. Also, bring AviClean Cage Cleaner for safely cleaning your bird carrier during the trip.
11. Talk to your veterinarian about getting a pre-travel physical exam and implanting a microchip for identification if your bird should get lost. No one ever plans for their bird to fly off, but it happens. Unusual surroundings may cause your bird to feel scared. We've heard of a perch trained bird flying out the motel room door when it's owner went for ice. Clipped wings wont keep a very frightened bird from escaping. Use (extra) caution at all times. Ill birds or birds recovering from recent illness should not taken on trips. Unnecessary stress weakens the immune system. Trip stress impacts even healthy birds sometimes leading to post trip illness. A pre-trip health checkup may be assuring to determine if your bird is concealing an illness. Some states require an health certificate for companion parrot entry. Check ahead with any states you will be going through to make sure your bird is permitted to enter the state. You don't want your parrot confiscated or quarantined if you get stopped.
12. Keep meal time and bed time on schedule to help maintain some sense of routine.
13. Talk to your parrot often during the trip. Hearing your voice is reassuring and calming for your bird.
14. Bring your bird's favorite toys on the trip. Do not hang toys in the bird carrier during the road trip because they can swing and injure your bird; substitute hand toys instead. In lieu of toys use fresh fruits and vegetables, such as grapes and orange slices, which can be hand held for chewing and eating. If your bird is intrigued by new toys, then try a special new toy for the trip. On the other, if new toys stress your bird, travel time is not the time to introduce them.
15. You can hang a short rope from the top of the travel crate to give your bird something to grab hold of if it starts to slip off it's perch. Some people have reported that a cotton perch provides for a more comfortable ride.
16. Never, ever, leave your bird or any parrot unattended in a vehicle for any length of time no matter how short you think it will be. If you must leave the car, cover the carrier and take it along.
    
    Article compliments of Clark Contemporary Cages, 426 SW 44th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33914-7528 1-800-549-5509