S.o.s traveling with my sun cornure

Hi to all birds parents!!!
URGENT HELP NEEDED!!! I'm traveling for the first time with my 2years old sun cornure to Colorado next week (8hrs + trip) and have no idea of procedures, permits, to travel with her in my seat. Also need tips of things to take with me besides her food & toys. Should I buy a harness (flying suit type) She have a free of cage life and only enters in her cage when ever she feels like. How to manage long trip with her in a carrier
Thanks for your unconditional help!!!!!

Have you contacted the airline for guidance? Take water also. Is she OK with dry food for the trip as fresh will spoil quick?

Start to get her used to her carrier straight away. Go on small trips out to get her used to it. Maybe she can sleep in it for now? If she is scared at the time she will scream blue murder and that won't be good.

Do you need to visit a Avian Vet for any paperwork before departure?

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=15+1794&aid=2270

https://www.celltei.com/products/in-cabin-airline-travel-bird-carrier.html

http://www.naturechest.com/travwityourb.html

1) call the airline and get their exact requirements. Book her on your flight immediately; they have limits on how many animals can be on the flight and it's first booked first served.

2) buy the mind of carrier your airline requires and immediately start training your bird to LOVE it. Toys, favorite treats, praise, anything you can do to encourage him to spend time in it. Once he will go inside willingly without stress, start closing it. Start with just a moment, then reward. Then a few seconds , reward. Minutes, reward, etc. once he is fine being closed in, begin carrying him in it, same principle. Then move to leaning the house, going on car rides, into pet stores (crowded bustling places like airports but pet friendly only).

3) DO NOT try adding a harness to this process. First of all wearing a harness is a trained behavior and you do NOT have time to train it before your flight. Rushing it will lead to a majorly traumatized bird. Also, no bird should ever be in a carrier that long with a harness because of the risk of tangles, and birds on airplanes, in airports, etc should not leave their carriers for any reason as that is a MAJOR safety risk.

4) you need to have a cage either packed or arranged on the other end. Your bird cannot reasonably live in the carrier longer than the actual travel time, and it is UNSAFE to have a parrot living cage free in a hotel or the home of friends. Your birds safety will have to come first and for the trip that means a cage.


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You won't be able to carry the bird in your lap, so the carrier will have to fit underneath the seat directly in front of you. For this reason, your seat assignment must not be behind a "bulkhead" or wall between a door or first class. Visit the airline's website pet section as many will post the dimensions below the seat for each aircraft type. (it will vary)

Also, what everyone else has posted! Definitely at least 8 hours as there are no non-stop flights from San Juan to Denver or smaller airports.

Colorado Agriculture rules for parrots coming from Puerto Rico: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/aganimals/pet-birds

Also, this on return home. Note page 4 for parrots: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_e...port/downloads/GENERAL_HEALTH_CERTIFICATE.pdf

Honestly, you have waited way too long to start making arrangements for you bird. You may not even be allowed to travel with her. The best choice at this late date is to board her while you will be away. Other wise you run all sorts of risks, from not being able to board the plane to having her confiscated. Sorry it's not what you wanted to hear but that's the way I see it.

wrench13 said:

Honestly, you have waited way too long to start making arrangements for you bird. You may not even be allowed to travel with her. The best choice at this late date is to board her while you will be away. Other wise you run all sorts of risks, from not being able to board the plane to having her confiscated. Sorry it's not what you wanted to hear but that's the way I see it.

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As my good friend Wrench has stated. You are right-up against the wall on time! You will need to have a 'Certified Avian Vet' provide a state of health for you Parrot, which includes a complete blood tests and with the short time line, you will have to pay the long dollar to have them completed at your Vets clinic! NOTE: You must have a signed document by a Certified Avian Vet. I would include any and all prior documents proving prior visits! Also, you will likely need a bill of sale from the Breeder /Bird Store you purchased the Parrot. If you used a credit card, I would have that also!

I would recommend going to the Airport and seeing the staff of the Airline you plan on using. Do not leave until you have all the paper completed you will need. Note: They may need the information from your CAV, So, you need that handled Monday morning, early! Right now, you should be gathering the information that proves your ownership of this Parrot! If they are open today and you are missing information, go there now!

In all honesty, I have to second what Wrench and Sailboat have said. I'd also worry about theft. But my primary concern with this is importing her into the states. I'm not even sure you'd be allowed to bring her in.

Personally, I just wouldn't trust an airline to handle my Skittles. I think your best bet is to find a bird sitter.

I did not pick up on the fact that this was for international travel. You don't have nearly enough time to get the right permits!


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The OP designated Puerto Rico as location, so it's complicated!

Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, residents are U.S. citizens but do not have all the associated rights and obligations.

There are no customs or immigration procedures for U.S. citizens between Puerto Rico and the 50 states, but agriculture checks are required arriving Puerto Rico. Many U.S. states have guidelines for plants or animals.

Regulatory requirements for Colorado and Puerto Rico are posted above, as are guidelines for airline travel and suitable carriers!

I am actually going on a trip from NJ to Washington State and flying on Alaskan Airlines which requires no paperwork at all for a pet who flies in the cabin. I called and triple checked just now. You only have to have the vet certificate if they are in the cargo hold. Just a heads up for you guys!

Sunnyclover said:

I am actually going on a trip from NJ to Washington State and flying on Alaskan Airlines which requires no paperwork at all for a pet who flies in the cabin. I called and triple checked just now. You only have to have the vet certificate if they are in the cargo hold. Just a heads up for you guys!

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Remember that requirements can change in a flash! At present, we are between the Spring and Fall migrations! If an outbreak of Bird Flu occurs, the full system can shutdown with a moments notice!

In addition, in the background are regulations that would require a Certified Avian Vets Statement of Health (with signature) for travel between States. It is not being enforced, but like above it could be very quickly. In addition, it is just wise to have a current Statement of Health when traveling with your 'Pets!' If an emergency occurs you have documents that are very helpful!

NOTE: Several States have restrictions as to specific Parrot species entering and/or passing though their State! Know in advance if you Parrot is allowed in the State you are going to and/or passing though!

On the Horizon, things are going to become much more difficult and if you are not current with the Laws of the USA and the States that you are travel you will need to be!

FYI - 1: Starting 2, January 2017, many newly hatch Parrot chicks need a Birth Document that includes hatched date, and sales dates including names of all parties and contact information! All endangered Parrot Species are included!

FYI - 2: What happens if your flight is fully booked and carry-on has to be placed in the cargo hold? It is likely that you 'maybe' able to keep your Parrot with you! Or, your flight is cancelled and you are booked on another Airline! Having the documents on-hand makes for a safer trip!

I'm actually going to the vet on Wednesday just to make sure Ollie is healthy before the trip so I'll get a 30 day vet certificate then. He has some stress marks that I'm pretty sure he's had since he came to us but they look more prominent now and the last thing I want is to find out he's very sick on the trip. Also we're in 1st class and have booked Ollie aboard as a pet passenger so I dont think he'll get put in cargo. I'm also getting him set up as a "therapy animal" which they can't not let me aboard with him no matter what I'm pretty sure. I read there was a turkey on an airline who didn't allow birds on because it was a so called "therapy animal". Scott do you know anything about this "Therapy animal" thing? I have a therapist I see regulaly and Ollie is actually my therapy animal so it's legit.

It's actually called an "ESA" (emotional support animal) and while there are some protections provided for that (with proper documentation), its not as legally protected/acceptable as a 'service dog'. I'd look into it though.

Sunnyclover said:

I'm actually going to the vet on Wednesday just to make sure Ollie is healthy before the trip so I'll get a 30 day vet certificate then. He has some stress marks that I'm pretty sure he's had since he came to us but they look more prominent now and the last thing I want is to find out he's very sick on the trip. Also we're in 1st class and have booked Ollie aboard as a pet passenger so I dont think he'll get put in cargo. I'm also getting him set up as a "therapy animal" which they can't not let me aboard with him no matter what I'm pretty sure. I read there was a turkey on an airline who didn't allow birds on because it was a so called "therapy animal". Scott do you know anything about this "Therapy animal" thing? I have a therapist I see regulaly and Ollie is actually my therapy animal so it's legit.

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A wide variety of animals *have* been designated as ESA (Emotional Support Animals) including a notorious incident with a pot belly pig that left wall panels and flooring damaged. AFAIK some animals generally perceived as inappropriate such as large snakes and spiders are not permitted. It would be a great idea to carry your documentation.

Can't speak for Alaska, but at my airline ESAs are common and welcome. Understand this designation falls under federal non-discrimination* laws, thus it would be very difficult to deny boarding. However, the captain has final authority and may request ground personnel to intercede should he/she perceive potential risk to safety. Since your Sun will be in a carrier, it would be best to avoid a seat directly behind a bulkhead divider. (in F/C this is behind the two forward cabin doors, ie there is no seat in front) Interestingly, my airline expressly forbids cockatoos as a pet-in-cabin animal! My guess is the ESA laws supersede this silly embargo!

One bird that is not required to be caged is a Falcon when carried as a USAF Academy mascot. Must be hooded and tethered to the hand of the handler.
Flew with one once, beautiful bird. Handler held him above a stack of newspapers and all was well! I was curious and spoke with the handler post flight. His falcon took the flight in stride, but leaned forward a bit during takeoff.


*The verbiage in my manual grants equal weight to service and ESA animals.

I feel bad for hijacking this thread but oh well. I plan to bring the 30 day vet certificate and the ESA letter on board with Ollie and I. We did make sure to not get the seats with the space up front but rather the ones that we can but Ollie's travel carrier under the seat as you suggested. I was under the impression that as an ESA Ollie would be permitted to come out of his carrier some of the time if he's on a harness no? I'm hoping anyways but if not then he'll live.. just as long as we can take him! My baby's 1st plane ride. I'm so excited!

It's especially bad publicity if your ESA is an adorable bird or rabbit and they deny you.

There's a local grocery store I used to shop at a lot (trying to give my business to the locals instead of corps) and there was a cashier who always game be a hard time with Skittles (but never gave a hard time to people with small, non-service dogs). There was also another employee there who gave me a hard time with my little fanny pack.

I just stopped going there. Too nitpicky. At least at Walmart, they let me bring Skitty in and don't hassle me about my accessories.

The quickest way to get on my ***list is to insult Skitty and that grocery store is on it!

Lolol! Was Skittles in the fanny pack or were they just making fun of you? Do you wear this fanny pack often?

No, he was in a separate 'travel' cage that I use to take him to the vet. I don't get a lot of sunlight in my apartment, so on warm days, I will often take him out for some fresh air and sunlight.

They weren't making fun of me, just one of the cashiers was giving me a hard time even though nobody complained and even several other customers stood up for me. She didn't even directly talk to me, but rather spoke as if I wasn't even there which really ticked me off.

As for the fanny pack, I keep my wallet, keys, inhaler, tissues and sanitizer in it so I take it everywhere and one of the clerks said I couldn't walk around with it, cause of shoplifting and I needed to leave it up front. It was BS.

I know I am VERY oversensitive when it comes to Skittles. It's just how I am. He's like a human son to me and I feel the need to protect and defend him.

Sure. I've never experienced someone discriminating against Ollie so far. I guess I've been lucky.
And that's BS about the fanny pack...like you're going to stuff a steak in your fanny pack!

Skittys_Daddy said:

No, he was in a separate 'travel' cage that I use to take him to the vet.

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My guys love their travel backpack. They feel safe in it, the would scream if they see a dog if on my shoulder but when they are in the backpack.. not a peep. When I tell them it's time to go to "Omar's" they all hop right in. Omar's is a local exotic bird store, they get to play an interact with other humans and see all kind of baby parrots 2-7 months. A lot cheaper than the expensive $200 versions but it gets the job done... it was meant for a small puppy.