Best Travel Companion Parrot?

[vinografia]

Hi All! I'm a vendor at Renaissance Festivals all over the US and am seeking a companion parrot that can handle all the travel -- do you know of a breed that travels well? (I've tried traveling with my cockatiel, but he got real sick after the 2nd trip and I don't want to risk it again. I have a quaker, who I know would travel well, but Quakers are illegal in many of the states I vend in.)

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Are you planning on bringing your bird to the fair booth with you? Are they indoors or outdoors?

 

[vinografia]

I'm usually outdoors and, while I'd love to bring my parrot with me to my booth during the event, I'm OK not doing so. I mainly want a buddy to travel and hang out in the motels with. So, they would get a lot of attention, but after my cockatiel got so sick, I'm thinking I need a parrot breed that is known to better handle (maybe even enjoy) changing environments (driving to different states and staying at different hotels). I would also prefer a parrot that can play by themselves so if I do need to leave them in the motel while I work my booth, they won't be so noisy we get kicked out

 

[TiredOldMan]

Might consider having a cage at your booth weather permitting. Your feathered friend might help drive business and the right bird may really enjoy it.
All birds have the ability to be noisy and might get y'all kicked out. As to species I don't really know that one is better than another. I think it would depend more on the birds personality.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I think a parrot left alone in a hotel room would get you kicked out pretty fast. I agree with bringing your parrot to the booth in a cage. Great for business and great stimulation for the parrot.

 

[vinografia]

bringing him with me to my booth would be ideal! I'm mainly concerned about their ability to handle changes in temperature. I believe my cockatiel became so sick because he couldn't deal with the changing temperatures from one state to another (we drove from TN to VA in October and then TN to SC in November) Or, am I crazy thinking this could be the reason for making him sick?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Don't know. Did he die? I think certain times of the year it will be hard on any parrot to tolerate extreme cold and heat.

 

[rheashard2]

I was a travel RN. State->state->city->city traveling companions were 2 dogs and a CAG for 5 years. There was a time I had to stay in a hotel. It was for 4 days. I kinda told staff a fib aka outright lie. I insisted that hotel staff not go into my room under any circumstances. I had a paranoid schizophrenic member of my group. Even if they were given permission they were to stay out. I had zero problems with staff. I suggest shower curtains hung on walls w masking tape. Combined with same cage, dogs, and TV on, CAG had a feeling of sameness. I'd use extra care with booths. A way is needed to keep fingers, hands and more importantly food away. Anyone who knows parrots knows that their baseline personality is paranoid, and can vary mood moment to moment and hour to hour. You haven't lived until your parrot is walking across shower rod, mimicking a screaming woman yelling for help. Then comes security and PD are going room to room looking for the 'female in distress'! Oddly enough mimicking murder in the shower was only done in the shower.

 

[texsize]

I wouldn’t leave my bird in the hotel.
1 I would be afraid of theft.
2 cleaning supplies that might be used around your bird while you’re out.

Have you considered an amazon?
From my experience they deal with changing circumstances better

 

[wrench13]

You do understand that parrots in general thrive on routine and predicatability, right? SOme species do less well with that, I would think African Greys worst of all, but for certain there are no species that are known for their easy acceptance of the changing environments your life style involves. I know it well, I play in a band that was on the RennFaire circuit. IT can be a grueling grind, especially if thats how you make your living. My Amazon only comes to festivals if they are local and we are home at night. A Amazon might be a candidate, a smaller one, but really it would come down to the temperament of the individual bird and how well he takes the changes. I would NOT expect any parrot to come to a new home and immediately hit the road with you. As far as being with you all day at the faires, its not so much the temperature as any drafts in cool/cold temps. Soft faire sites on open fields can be damn windy and tents are not wind proof!