How to Ship a Live Bird

The only warm-blooded animals that can be shipped via the United States Postal Service are live birds. You must follow certain rules and regulation guidelines. Here's how to do it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Know that you can only ship adult live birds that are free of diseases. Examples of shippable live birds include doves, ducks, swans, turkeys and chickens.
2. Understand that live birds sent through the postal service must be shipped domestically (within the United States) and only via express mail.
3. Use the appropriate kind of packaging for the bird you want to ship. The birds must be shipped in secure containers approved by the manager of Mailing Standard. Find information on getting approvals on the website for the United States Postal Service or by contact your local post office.
4. Be aware of the regulations regarding the birds that you ship. You must follow the package limits for the container you're using regarding the number of birds you ship in one package. In addition, each bird must weigh at least 6 ounces.
5. Go to your local post office to ship your birds. Your local postal worker will be able to help you select the appropriate postage for shipping your bird.
6. Take note that the United States Postal Service is only responsible for loss or damage to your bird or birds during shipping. They are not responsible for the death of your bird or birds if the packaging container that you used was not damaged during shipping.

Tips & Warnings

• For more information on the guidelines for shipping a live bird, read the Domestic Mail Manual, section 601, titled "Mailability," on the website for the United States Postal Service.
• Look for an itemized list of birds that you can ship on the USPS website.