Things You'll Need:
- Health certificate
- Shipping container
- Emergency supply bag
- Juicy fruits
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Step 1
Obtain a certificate of health status on your bird signed by a veterinarian before the flight. Contact the airline a week in advance to inquire about any other paperwork or restrictions.
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Step 2
Pay extra for counter-to-counter service rather than shipping your bird air cargo. Birds shipped air cargo may sit for hours on the tarmac or in the plane, while birds shipped counter-to-counter receive hand carried treatment on and off the plane immediately before takeoff and after landing.
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Step 3
Choose a shipping container appropriate for the bird breed. Cockatoos and parrots can chew out of plastic containers, so you must ship these birds in a wire mesh or plywood container. The container must have enough slots for airflow and to permit inspectors to look for illicit goods.
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Step 4
Prevent escapes by clipping the bird's wings the day before the flight. You can also use packing tape to seal the cage to prevent latch failure.
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Step 5
Attach a bag filled with a week's worth of bird food and medicine if applicable to the exterior of the cage. Airline personnel can use these provisions in the event of an unforeseen delay.
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Step 6
Consider providing the bird with foods that provide hydration during shipping, such as grapes or orange segments. This reduces the possibility of water spillage during the trip.
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Step 7
Give the bird a few hours to adjust to his new cage upon arrival. Rather than assume the bird can find his food and water, make sure the bird sees his supplies.
