I Do Not Know What To Do

[BillieD]

Good evening fellow parrot owners, I need your help. I have been given a Blue n Gold Macaw recently who is in North Carolina and I am in Washington State. First concern is what is the best way to have her shipped to me. I also have a 8 year old Umbrella Cockatoo. I am wondering if they will get along? are they compatible? The Macaw is only 20 months old. I really need all of your opinions and help with this situation. Thank you in advance for all of your help.

 

[Flboy]

Bumping you back to the top.
This time of year, flights can be a tricky thing! You may need to rent a car and do an insane road trip!

 

[Loko]

I have no experience shipping birds so Im going to leave that to someone who does but as far as compatibility: there is no set rule! Any two birds can decide to hate, love, or tolerate each other, just like humans. There is no way to know how they will get along until they are together. Also, cockatoos produce a good amount of dust so an air filter may be necessary, plus there is a chance they will not get along so seperate cages(definitely, at the least) rooms, and out of cage time may all be necessary. Plan on them not getting along and having to split everything, and in the ebst case they will, but still should be supervised. Also, it is necessary to quarantine the new macaw for at least 3 week or a month to make sure no illness is present which can be passed to your too.

 

[Flboy]

There are some airlines that allow a pet in cabin, but with all kinds of restrictions.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I looked into air travel cabin dynamics a few years ago... the crate has to fit under the seat, and you need a current vet certification of health. I myself would never try it even if he COULD fit under there. They'd throw us both out the hatch with as much noise as he'd make!

 

[Loko]

I looked into air travel cabin dynamics a few years ago... the crate has to fit under the seat, and you need a current vet certification of health. I myself would never try it even if he COULD fit under there. They'd throw us both out the hatch with as much noise as he'd make!

Yeah i cant really imagine that. Ive never seen so.eone take a bird on the plane, but would imagine it would scream because of uncomfortabiliry with the changing air pressure, like how it sometimes hurts or our ears pop. Not sure what theyd do if the bird started screaming. I get pissed when someones baby starts going wild and they just sit there ignoring it, enough to say something to them, and I imagine others wouldnt like a bird screaming next to them. I would never put Loko underneath in cargo unless I absolutely had to, ld rather drive or at worst take him on, but Id be kinda worried he would cause mayhem. In your situation it might just be necessary, not sure theyd allow a BG on the plane, and theyre a lot louder than a smaller bird. I know some breeders use Delta or American Airlines freight, overnight. It is expensive but I would do it the same way thats proven to work. Have no idea details of that though and not sure if there is a better company or which is best. When my families dog came on the plane they give him a very very low dose of xanax and that worked well, not sure if birds can be given that and I would imagine a less potent benzodiazepine would be used like ativan or valium, but if this is possible, I imagine it is what people do so the bird is kind of "in the clouds" (literally) and not anxious, uncomfortable, and loud. Youd have to consult a vet though. Obviously do not give a bird a humans prescription even if it is the same medication.

 

[Kiwibird]

I would fly out and drive back personally. I would never trust my bird to go in the belly of a plane. He is a living being, not "cargo" and I've seen how those baggage handlers who'd be putting the bird on the plane handle people's luggage! Can't imagine them being much gentler with live animals. Not to mention all the potentially harmful things the bird would face, such as being outdoors in the cold being transported on/off the plane, jet fuel fumes, loud noises, strangers manhandling their carrier... A bird riding in the cabin has to be in a carrier that fits under the seat. I don't think a macaw, with the super long tail, would fit under a plane seat. Not to mention the possibility for noise issues or the bird freaking out.

Many car rental places offer 1 way rentals and many hotel chains are pet friendly now. Flying out would cut days off such a trip and a carefully coordinated road trip back would get you well acquainted with your new friend and just be a couple days. We moved a couple states away with our bird and drove in a uhaul. He loved it and was super engaged and excited the whole way (though some birds may need to adjust to driving if they aren't used to it).

 

[SailBoat]

Good evening fellow parrot owners, I need your help. I have been given a Blue n Gold Macaw recently who is in North Carolina and I am in Washington State. First concern is what is the best way to have her shipped to me. I also have a 8 year old Umbrella Cockatoo. I am wondering if they will get along? are they compatible? The Macaw is only 20 months old. I really need all of your opinions and help with this situation. Thank you in advance for all of your help.

You are being given a 20 month old B&G MAC, really? Does the cage come with the MAC, anything more than just the Bird?

I'm guessing that this person is a long know friend that will be willing to put even more time and money into this Parrot that they are gifting you, correct?

Cost Item:
The cost of the Avian Vet's documents (signed by a Certified Avian Vet)
The cost of a shipping crate that will fit a MAC.
The cost of preparing the shipping crate (including some type of food) and attachment of the needed documents.
The Cost of the Flight (air shipping).
The Cost of new Cage, Food, Toys, Perches, etc...

Always remember: Never Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth! This warning likely has little meaning today, since very few people even understand the reality of what they would even be looking at! See Warning Below!

If you do not know these people, or even if you do, you maybe walking into a SCAM! As they need you to send money for each one of the majority of the cost items listed above. And, then at the end, never send the Parrot! And, Yes this happens all the time with all kinds of stuff!

What is the likelihood of not being able to 'give-away' a 20 month old B&G in NC or one of the surrounding States. Like I said, unless this individual is a dear friend, you have known since childhood: Personally, I would RUN far away from this 'Gift.' But that's just me!

 

[Scott]

Awesome comments thus far! If the OP could share the details of the gift we'd be in a better position to advise. As mentioned, there is no way in advance to assess the likelihood of bonding with your Too.

I've posted on the merits of air-freighting a bird here: http://www.parrotforums.com/questions-answers/63813-shipping-bird-via-airlines.html

Travelling with your bird in the cabin is possible, but size restrictions would be difficult with a large macaw.