Vacation With Your Macaw

[Doves1]

Ok all Macaw experts out there I'm just posting this to make sure I haven't missed anything.

So here's the deal I'm going on a 10 day vacation with my B/F in Feb. We're taking a flight then a short car ride and staying in a pet friendly hotel for the 10 days, then comes the car ride and flight home.

So far I've called the airlines and gotten all the details on flying with my Macaw, purchased the correct carrier for the flight, have a decent sized foldable cage for the hotel stay, contacted the hotel and gotten the details there.

Can you think of anything else I need to do before leaving on my/our vacation?

Oh and we're not going out of country so he doesn't need any shots or papers, and I have plenty of toys to take with us so when he does have to spend some time in his "cage" he won't get bored.

 

[WharfRat]

Only thing I'll warn you of.........when you're not in the hotel and the bird starts getting vocal. Quite possible you'll hear some complaints directed your way.

 

[Merlee]

Get the bird accustom to all cages and toys in advance so he won't be any more frightened than he has to. I am very impressed that you are willing to take the bird with you on an extended vacation. I would too if I was driving. I know your intentions are good, but aren't you worried about stressing the bird? Couldn't he stay home and have a close friend or relative come in? If not, have a safe trip.

Be sure to put a good lock on the cage while at the hotel. If I were you, I would either not leave the room until housekeeping did their chores or put a do not disturb sign on the door. Who knows what products will be used in the room or what staff will do while you are out.

 

[plax]

Air travel is quite stressful for parrots. Car trips can as well be stressful for those birds who aren't used to them. To do this all at once will likely place a great deal of stress upon Phoenix. And I agree with the concerns Merlee has expressed about cleaning solutions and access by strangers.

 

[Alisana]

[...] Who knows what products will be used in the room or what staff will do while you are out.

... Or take. :\ Including your macaw.

Pocket sleeps indoors for that reason. Theft is a very real concern for exotics.

 

[noblemacaw]

I have traveled with my Noble macaw Mihijo. What I have learned it to bring some water with you that he is use to drinking or get bottled water for the parrot. That way the parrot will not have to get use to any new water "thingies" living locally in the water.

Also don't get the weakness and take your parrot of of the carrier while on the plane no matter how much he begs. I tried to put Mihijo on my chest under our blanket and when the food came around he popped his head out of the blanket and said "HIIIII" to the lady sitting next to me and almost gave her a heart attack. Mihijo ended up charming everyone on the flight but then...everybody loves Mihijo....

My parrot was use to traveling by car and once by plane. Mihijo was also an extremely well socialized parrot and loved everyone he came in contact with. As long as I was with him Mihijo never stressed out and was happy to go to anyone more so if you had food. If Mihijo was to stay behind in the hotel room his cage was locked and I chained the cage to the furniture. I was very paranoid that he would get taken hence the super security locking system I had for him and his cage.

Also I had orders to use no sprays in the room from housekeeping. I also didn't have them come to the room everyday either and when they did I asked to have my room done first so that I could be there. It was a lot of special orders and asking for special things but with the requests I could make sure Mihijo stayed safe. Mihijo was mostly with me during the day but at night he was put to bed at a certain time and then I could have my fun. LOL

When I had to drive out on emergency notice and could not take Mihijo with me because it was winter I had someone stay in my home to care for him or I brought Mihijo and his travel stuff to their place. My sister was very good with him and he really liked her. If you have someone stay in your home giving them payment gives incentive that the pet will be taken care of properly and I provided a way for vet costs just in case.

Valentino is 3 times the size of Mihijo. It would be interesting if I ever had to travel with him. Traveling with a large macaw would take a lot of preparation and training.

 

[Merlee]

I forgot about bringing water from home. I do that for all our animals when we vacation.

Let us know which airline you used and your experiences. That might come in handy for somebody else in the future.

 

[Blue]

did you check with the airlines about health certificate, just dont want you to get to the airport and not be able to fly.I see you're in Canada but all the US airlines require a vet certificate for animals to fly (they are only good for 10 days) so here you'd have to see a vet on vacation to get another to fly home.

 

[plax]

did you check with the airlines about health certificate, just dont want you to get to the airport and not be able to fly.I see you're in Canada but all the US airlines require a vet certificate for animals to fly (they are only good for 10 days) so here you'd have to see a vet on vacation to get another to fly home.

I know Doves1 is in Canada, so this likely won't apply in her case. But Delta Pet First no longer requires health certification for birds to ship within the continental US. They did however require a certificate in 2005 when I got Zaf. I was sure it was still a requirement when I was making arrangements to have Salsa, my GW, shipped from Illinois last June, but Delta informed me that health certificates were no longer required for birds. So Salsa was shipped to me without the requirement to see a vet first. Just FWIW.

 

[WharfRat]

We've only had one "long term" experience in a hotel and we only had Kalani at the time. We only let the maids in to do the bed and vacuum, everything else we did ourselves and explained why and they understood. Obviously with the flock we have now that ain't gonna happen.

 

[Remy]

I think everybody has pretty much covered it!

Just remember toys and food. I travel with Darcy every weekend to see my boyfriend (who is 70 miles away). He has his own cage there, and I think he really likes it. I also take him out with me lots of places (yesterday to the beach, today to the eyeglasses store), which he also likes.

 

[Doves1]

Thanks guys for all the info and comments!

Yes Phoenix is used to travelling by car and plane and he will be with me at all times so I don't think it will be overly stressful for him. I think it would be more stressful for him to stay home with my house sitter as he's very territorial when at home (I've posted a different thread about that).

I've already contacted the airline I'm using (West Jet) and they've told me everything I need for him which I already have. He will be riding with me in the cabin but I'm not allowed to take him out of his carrier (which he is used to being in as well, I've taken him for over night trips away from home several times all ready).

As for the hotel it's pet friendly and a very nice hotel, they have a policy that on the first floor (where the pets are allowed) they only use pet friendly cleaners and you set a time when you check in for the room service to come in and clean, that way I can make sure I am there when they come. I've also talked to them about the noise factor and they don't really care, they have dogs that bark and cats that meow all the time. I'm not worried about Phoenix with the dogs and cats either because he's used to them, I own 2 dogs and a cat.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

That's great you can have him in the cabin. I want to get Rosie used to a carrier... The only time she was in one was when I brought her home and she swung her head back and forth the whole time Good thing it was only a 15 minute drive

 

[Doves1]

Phoenix knows a carrier means good things, treats, going places, new toys. I've done my best to make positive things happen when he gets put in a carrier.

 

[Merlee]

That's great! I am interested in purchasing a carrier so what kind of carrier are you using? Two summers ago I went to London and didn't think there was much room under the seat for anything so I am interested in knowing what you have.

 

[henpecked]

The health cert. is only if your bird is insured. If you don'y have them insured though the airline then it's not needed. At least that's been my experience . I always put the do not disturb sign on the door if i'm out of the room. Like Merlee , i check with the staff and clean my own room, at least i'm always there when they do clean it . I've never had a problem with travelling with my birds and staying in Motels but you have to be "on your toes". Getting them accustom to their travel/temp cages is always a big plus, maybe put him in his travel cage and make short trips around town, make the trips a little longer each time. Good luck and have fun. PS i think it's great when folks make the effort to include their fid , i know my birds are better socialized because of it and get to do so much more, and are happier than the average parrot.

 

[Doves1]

I'm using a soft sided pet carrier that's airline approved, yes it is a bit small for him but it has to reach certain size requirements to go on the airplane.

He's already been for several hour long trips one way with over night stays. I take him to visit friends in the closest city to me and we stay for a couple of days so he's used to that part of things.

 

[cthulhus_minion]

Traveling can be very stressful, my IRN went on a 3 hour drive to my parents one time and it stressed him out alot. Would've been better to taken him on short trips first.

Sent from my Nokia Lumia 920

 

[WharfRat]

all of ours have been on 4+ hour trips, other than keeping their water bowls full, no issues or stress at all. My GW ReaRea goes with me in the van all the time, she loves it.

 

[Doves1]

I know when I get Phoenix's travel carrier out he just jumps right into it making his happy caa sounds