Traveling with your bird can be both exciting and stressful – for you and your bird! Most birds are naturally curious, and they will likely enjoy the trip as much as you will. Safety is, of course, of paramount importance when traveling with your bird. Ensure you have taken all necessary precautions to keep your bird from becoming lost.

Before you embark on your travels, it is very useful to get your bird accustomed to her carrier and, in some cases, teach her to wear a harness. When introducing your bird to her carrier, allow her plenty of time to explore it and become acclimated on her own. Do not rush her into the unfamiliar carrier! Instead, leave the door open and allow her to hop in and out at will. Be sure the carrier is large enough to comfortably fit your bird, and make appropriate plans to allow her out of the carrier for scheduled “breaks.”

If you will be taking your bird on a long trip, and she is not used to traveling, start by making short trips around town. Get her used to not only being in the carrier, but having the carrier loaded into a moving vehicle.

To minimize some of the stress while traveling with your bird, bring both food and water from home. Unfamiliar water in a new environment can lead to unnecessary additional stress for you bird. Since travel can be dehydrating to birds and humans alike, be sure to bring along plenty of fruits and vegetables that are high in water content, like oranges or grapes. These may need to stay chilled, so bringing a small cooler when traveling with your bird is advised.

Try to maintain as normal a schedule as possible when traveling with your bird. Keeping meal and bed times fairly consistent will help minimize the stress on your bird. Bring a few of your bird’s favorite toys with you, and keep a few suitable toys in the carrier with her. Never hang swinging toys from the top of the carrier, since they could harm your bird during travel.

If traveling with your bird involves driving, never leave your bird unattended in a vehicle. Even if you think it will only be a short stop, bring the bird out of the car in her carrier. When driving, the carrier should always be secured in the back seat if your car has front seat air bags. As with small children, the force of an inflating airbag can harm or kill your bird. The safest place in the car is in the middle of the backseat, securely tethered, for traveling with your bird.

When traveling with your bird by air, be sure to check with the airline for restrictions. Some airlines have specific limitations on the size of bird and/or size of carrier allowed on the plane.

Traveling with your bird can be entertaining and enlightening for both of you. And, as with any shared experience, it is a great opportunity for bonding with your pet. Be sure to plan well and prepare early for traveling with your bird. The planning will pay off when you enjoy a relaxing trip together.

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