FAQ: Carriers & Crates for birds

Birds have a very sensitive respiratory system, and heat and moisture build up quickly in a closed box, especially when the bird is anxious. The carrier should have ventilation openings on at least two sides, and during the trip they must not be blocked by luggage or covered completely.

Parrots chew bars, so metal parts should be stainless steel or have a bird-safe coating. Avoid old, peeling paint and galvanised mesh of uncertain origin, because chewing can release heavy-metal particles into the bird's body.

Not always: some birds are calmer when they can see their owner, while others get more anxious seeing a moving street view. The handiest carrier is one that can be partly covered, so the bird can choose where to sit, on the brighter side or the more sheltered one.

A sturdy top handle lets you carry the carrier level without swinging, while a shoulder strap frees your hands but makes the carrier sway more. Check that the handle is firmly attached and cannot come away from the body, because a dropped carrier can open.

The floor should be sturdy, leak-proof and easy to wash, so droppings and water do not leak onto the car seat. A pull-out tray or removable base makes cleaning after the trip much easier.

Yes, for any trip longer than a few minutes: on a perch the bird is steadier and gets less tired than standing on a slippery floor. Fix the perch low, so the bird does not fall from a height when you brake, and so it cannot rotate.

Fit the perch near the floor, at about the height where the bird's tail just clears the bottom, and across the direction of travel, so that when braking the bird rocks forwards and back rather than sideways. It should not be directly under the water or food cup, so droppings do not foul them.

Paper towels, plain unprinted paper or a thin towel work well, as they absorb moisture and are not slippery. Avoid fine litter pellets and wood shavings, because during the trip they spill through the bars and can get into eyes or water, and they make it harder for the vet to assess the droppings.

For a short trip of up to an hour a water cup is usually not needed, because it spills and soaks the bird while driving. For longer trips attach a small drinker to the bars or add pieces of juicy fruit or vegetables, and make stops to offer water.

On the road the handiest is a drinker that screws onto the bars with a drip spout, or a more enclosed one that does not spill when shaken. Before the trip make sure the bird knows how to drink from it, because it may ignore an unfamiliar drinker.

For a short trip food is not essential, but for longer ones it helps to scatter some of the usual seed mix or pellets on the floor or add a clip-on feeder. Familiar food calms the bird, and eating is a sign that it is coping well with the trip.

Hanging toys, bells and mirrors are best left out on the road, because they swing and can injure the bird. For a longer trip a single small chew toy fixed to the side can help it settle and keep busy.

A small cage can do for a short distance if you remove swings, toys, water and heavy dishes and secure the door as well. A large cage is hard to secure in a car, and a loose base or detachable parts can come apart, so a separate carrier is safer.

Clean and dry the carrier, check the door, latch and handle, lay an absorbent liner and fix the perch. For a long trip pack water, the usual food, spare paper towels and a cover.

For a few days or weeks keep the open carrier next to the home cage, put favourite treats inside and let the bird go in and out on its own. Then close the door briefly, gradually extend the time and only then try a short drive.

It varies a lot: a curious, tame parrot may step in on the first day, while a more cautious bird may need several weeks. It is better to start well before the planned trip, so there is no need to rush and frighten the bird.

Place the carrier further from the bird so it can watch it from a safe distance, and move it a little closer each day. Put treats first beside the carrier, then by the door and finally inside, and never force the bird in front of a new object.

Some birds are wary of unusual colours, especially bright red or yellow objects, so a neutral carrier or one resembling the home cage may be accepted more easily. Still, colour matters less than gradual training and positive associations.

Yes, parrots learn well with treats and praise: at first reward approaching the carrier, then putting its head in and finally stepping all the way in. Use the same cue each time, for example ‘in you go’, so the bird links it to the action.

Place the open carrier with its door against the home cage door and encourage the bird to cross with a treat or gentle nudging. If that fails, in dim light the bird can be gently picked up in a towel, holding the body but not squeezing the chest, because a bird breathes with it.