FAQ: Carriers & Crates for birds

Yes, it is worth leaving it so the sitter can take the bird to the vet or evacuate it urgently if needed. Leave the carrier clean, with spare liners and your and the vet's contacts written on it.

Gently pick up the wild bird with gloves or a towel and put it in a dark, ventilated box or carrier with a soft base. Do not try to force water or food into it, and contact a wildlife rescue centre or vet as soon as possible.

Better not, because wild birds can carry diseases and parasites that are dangerous to pet birds. If it is unavoidable, wash and disinfect the carrier thoroughly with a bird-safe product afterwards and wash your hands.

Many feathered chicks found on the ground are learning to fly and are still cared for by their parents, so first watch from a distance. If the chick is injured or clearly abandoned, put it in a warm, dark box with a soft base and contact a wildlife rescue centre.

Yes, racing pigeons travel in ventilated wicker or plastic crates with several doors, which hold a number of birds and are easy to stack. Good ventilation, water troughs for long trips and avoiding overcrowding matter in them.

The key points are size for the species, resistance to the beak, a secure latch, good ventilation, room to fit a perch and easy cleaning. It helps if the carrier can be secured with a seat belt and has a comfortable handle.

Yes, thin plastic is enough for small birds, but medium and large parrots easily chew through it or break the door fittings. The stronger the beak, the thicker the plastic or metal and the sturdier the latch needed.

A set with a fitted perch, screw-on cups and a pull-out tray saves time, as you do not need to find suitable parts separately. Still, check that the perch fits the bird's foot and that the cups close so they do not spill while driving.

The perch thickness should match the size of the bird's foot: its toes should wrap around about two thirds of the perch, but not all the way. A perch that is too thin or too thick tires the feet on the road and makes it harder to stay steady when braking.

A smooth plastic perch is often slippery on the road, especially when wet, so the bird finds it harder to hold on. Natural wood or rougher-surfaced perches that can be removed and washed work better.

Briefly, for a few hours, yes, but for longer quarantine or recovery the bird needs a larger cage where it can move, eat and drink from normal dishes. If the vet recommends restricted movement for the bird, ask what cage size is suitable.

For many parrots treats in the carrier help link it with something pleasant, so it is worth using it for more than vet trips. Short drives with no destination, followed by a reward, help keep the carrier from being associated only with unpleasant visits.

In the rain shield the carrier with a waterproof but breathable cover or an umbrella, leaving the ventilation openings clear. A wet bird chills quickly, so on arrival keep it in a warm room until its feathers dry.

Birds are usually calmer in the dark, so a night journey can suit some even better, especially in summer when days are hot. If a bird panics and flutters in the dark, leave a dim light at the side of the carrier or do not cover it fully.

New plastic sometimes gives off a manufacturing smell that is undesirable for birds' sensitive airways. Before first use wash the carrier with warm water and a mild detergent and air it for a few days until the smell is gone.

Yes, folding carriers are handy to store and to take along as spares, for example as a temporary cage on a trip. Before use check that all joints lock firmly and that a parrot cannot undo the folding mechanism with its beak.

A large parrot in a sturdy carrier can be heavy to carry, so wheels or a trolley make airport trips or longer walks easier. On uneven ground the carrier shakes and rattles, so for short distances it is worth carrying it.

Check and tighten any loose parts, and secure a rattling door or cups with an extra clip. A towel or mat under the carrier reduces the car's vibration and noise, which frighten the bird.

For an injured bird leave out the perch, line the floor with a soft towel and use a smaller carrier so it cannot flap. Cover the carrier, keep it warm and get it to a vet as soon as possible without trying to treat the injury yourself.

A blind bird or one with weak legs suits a small carrier with a low, wide perch or a flat platform and a soft floor, with food and water always in the same place. Talk to the bird before touching the carrier so it is not startled by sudden movement.