Question: TRAVELING with birds in an RV

Has anyone had experience traveling in an RV with pet birds? We're thinking of doing this, and need advice from bird owners who have done this before.

We want to make sure they are cared for in every way! THANK YOU!



2terrordactyls

Hello & welcome, Love your "chicken's" names. Can't help you on this one though... sorry

Hopefully other members will be able to assist you.
Any idea how long your journey will be"
Informative link below "Traveling with birds"

Home- Invalid article requested

Good luck

How many birds are you talking about?

Although I only have my ringneck now for 3 months she already has 1 000's of kilometers behind her. We travel to our house by Kruger ones a month and it is a 4 1/2 hour drive.

We used to travel at night when all my reptiles are asleep but this did not work for Sterretjie (her first trip). She just could not fall asleep but did sit on my husbands shoulder all the way without giving any problems. She does not like my husband but I was occupied with my iguana who always sleeps on my lap during these trips - his choice.

We took all the other trips during the day and she seemed to love it. I placed a towel over the backrest of the seat so that she does not damage it, gave her toys to nibble on and one of those sweets that you buy for parrots that has the sunflower seed - honey etc. The sweet kept her busy ALL the time. My iguana and bearded dragons were on the move, giving me hell, but this did not bother her at all, nor did she seek any attention from me.
The view out the window and the sweet was all she was interested in.

Another guy that I know has 2 macaws and they travel everywhere with him. Each one has their own swing, draped with sweets, on the back seat looking out the window. They even sit still during the times that his husky rides in the back.

As long as they have a view out the window and something to chew on, then they are happy.

I would suggest that you first take them for short drives to the shop etc. so that you can see their behavior, you might discover that they have to be caged. All animals, birds, reptiles etc. are not the same, what mine like yours might hate. Observing your birds closely is the only way to get to know them as individuals, each ones needs, likes and dislikes. After you have done that you will be able to

2terrordactyls said:

make sure they are cared for in every way!

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I've heard of several people - and seen a few - with their parrots in their cars. Usually just out and about, not in cages. I agree with Wildheart - try small trips first to see how they do.

It sounds better than leaving them at home or boarding them.
I agree short trips first to get them used to the movements and sounds.

i am taking my Sennie with me this weekend. it will be her 1st trip in the RV.
she will be in her smaller travel cage and i will bring her little table perch along too.
there is a bunk over the cab where i will get her set up for the stay. i'll put down a plastic table cloth for the droppings.
if its nice and warm she will be out on the picnic table with me where i will be hanging out. well see how it goes.
i did this with my amazon too. of course the amazon got lots of attention with her loud "hellos". i think the whole campground could hear her!

My family gos camping every year in our RV. i dont trust many people to take care of Dusty so He normally goes along. i have a small Traveling cage that he stays in when we are driving. I generally place it on the table near the window in our RV and I sit next to him. He loves to look out the window when we are driving. I normally keep him outside with me when we are at the campgrounds we go to. I put him on a harness. He hardly ever is in his small traveling cage except for at night and when the RV is moving. I have never have had a problem traveling with Dusty. He seems to enjoy it.

We took my senegal sparky along for the holiday... Hes been loving it; sleeping over at new people, stopping at random places, attempting to chew my car's inside to bits, singing along with us (he gets really excited at noise). We have travelled around 3500km in the past month, and hes been the perfect backseat driver. We had his travelling cage on the back seat (secured with blankets etc) with some perches on top of the cage for if he goes out. (And his bigger cage folded up in the back of the car).

Some things i have learned:

1) Make sure all the perches are secure - the rattling of the car can cause perches to wiggle loose... i cable tied all the stuff in the travelling cage
2) Take all the bells and swinging toys out of the travelling cage... they are annoying and will bother the bird if they swing around the whole time.
3) Get food and water bowls that will not cause all the contents to spill out while driving - specially the water bowl
4) Place the cage so the bird can see out the back and front window (at least a bit)... dont want them to get carsick
5) Cover the cage when driving at night, since the lights of oncoming cars disturbs sleep
6) If keeping the bird out of his cage, be prepared (as the driver) for unexpected movements from him - sparky kept getting a fright whenever a truck passed us

Hope this helps

I take Hiroshi for 45 minute trips to my Bf's place. I use a travel cage and buckle him in lol.
He is totally fine with it, he happily munches away at his food or chills out on the perch and relaxes

6+ hour trips are a bit much try keeping a bird entertained for 6 hours in a travel cage lol

marilize said:

6+ hour trips are a bit much try keeping a bird entertained for 6 hours in a travel cage lol

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Very true! I would have to make 20 stops along the way to switch up toys and food lol.

Hi 2T and welcome to the forum, I'm thinking climate control will be one of your biggest concerns, at home we keep the temperatures pretty constant whether we're there or not, going for short trips with our pets usually isnt a problem when going from point A to point B, but when RV'ing your taking your home with you on wheels, unless you'll always be in the RV, which is not likely, you'll have to make sure that your fids don't over heat, it doesn't take long for the temps to rise to deadly levels, especially as hot as this summer has already been in many parts of the country, so that would be something to ahead about of any trips you may plan..........

lots of good advice here. i have a small travel cage for my sennie and i secure it to the table with a bungee cord while traveling. the 1st time i didn't cover her cage and she chatted and whistled the whole time.
the 2nd time was night driving and she went nuts in there flapping and flailing about, so i know now to cover her for night driving. i think the big trucks and lights etc scared her. once covered, she was silent for the rest of the trip .
now i just leave the front open for traveling but i guess i should have her facing me so there is no possibilty of motion sickness, never thought of that.
thanks for the helpful tips!

I travel with 10 parrots. 6 macaws, 1 cockatoo and 3 conures. I have never had a problem at any campground. The fellow campers LOVE to see the birds, especially the children. The birds are outside during the day, and in the RV during the evening and night. If they get loud when outside, I put them in the RV. They are secured in travel cages when on the road, however when I stop they are allowed out onto their perches and swings. I have a toyhauler class A and the rear of the RV is their play area and travel area. They are alot of work, especially since I also travel with 4 dogs, but they are family and I never leave family behind!!!!

Safe travels.

Mike:red:

Just an FYI- you're responding to a thread that's almost 4 years old....

I WISH I had an RV...

Closest to that I came was moving cross country from NorCal to Texas, with two macaws, two amazons and a CAG.

If you've got a toy hauler, then there is space for cages in there when you get where you are going...

Birdie Car seat perches with large blankets to cover the seats and prevent chewing and pooping for when you are driving...

Mine LOVE going out and about.

I would like to revive this topic if possible. Just bought a 31' Class C motorhome to enable us to travel with 2 Conures (sun, and black-capped) and 4 dogs. Am growing more and more concerned about maintaining temperatures for the birds. Haven't used the RV yet, it went straight into winter storage. Would like to start short weekend trips in the Spring, have a week long trip planned for New England in the summer and cross country coast to coast round trip in late Sept for 5 weeks. Are there strategies to keeping them warm in cooler spring and fall weather???? Anyone???

I live in an RV, so traveling with a bird shouldn't be a problem.