TRAVELING WITH YOUR COMPANION BIRD

By Margaret T. Wright

Margaret T. Wright, MBA Maggie Wright is a marketing consultant and the creator/publisher of the African Grey magazine, The Grey Play Round Table®. Visit her web site at: http://www.africangreys.com

My African Grey Parrot, Merlin Tewillager, travels all over the country with me. Together, we’ve gone from the resort of Mackinac Island in Michigan to the farm lands of Pennsylvania and North Carolina to the bayou of New Orleans and the beaches of Florida. She has also traveled with me to Bermuda and Germany twice.

I’ve found that travel has helped Merlin become a more relaxed and secure parrot, and it also has helped me become a more confident companion bird owner. I purchased Merlin in a period when behavior information was just beginning to be published and as a result, I did many things "wrong." Merlin took over, biting me and anyone who came into my home, if they got too close. I hired an avian behavior consultant to help me work with her and her behavior improved; however, it did not dramatically improve until we started traveling together. That’s because the travel took her away from her "territory" so that she had to rely on me and her calmer behavior gave me more confidence while handling her. Today, she’s a perfectly behaved lady.

There have been so many myths about African Greys and other birds that their environments and routines must stay the same all the time...or they will become nervous and neurotic. I believe the opposite: a bird will become neurotic if the owner keeps him solely on one routine. However, if routines are switched every now and then, the bird learns to adjust and becomes more relaxed with the changes. The key is in helping him adjust at his pace, in a safe and secure manner.

That’s what I did. Over a period of several months, I prepared Merlin for travel by taking her out of our home for "visits;" therefore, she had become used to strangers and strange environments long before our travels. Here are some tips I’ve learned to make companion bird travel more palatable:

PREPARATION

Begin helping your bird adjust to travel by taking him for short jaunts in your neighborhood. Make sure his wings are clipped and he’s safely secure in a carrier. SAFETY ALWAYS COMES FIRST. Travel in your car for short practice excursions, as some birds can get motion sickness. Take your bird through experiences he may encounter on the trip. For example, I learned that Merlin panicked when the windshield wipers were on and when we passed under overpasses; however, after several occasions of being exposed to overpasses and/or seeing the windshield wipers work, she calmed down when comforted and told, "it’s okay." You need to identify the different experiences that may scare your bird and work through them before going on overnight trips.

A bird is totally dependent upon you on a trip, so BE AWAKE at all times. NEVER leave the car door open if your bird is loose in the car...not even for a moment. ALWAYS be careful when just opening the door, as the door could accidentally slam on your bird or something could startle him, and he may get out of the car....accidents can happen. NEVER leave him alone in a car and be careful about the strangers to whom you introduce your bird. ALWAYS keep a jar of water handy and a spray bottle, should it get hot...and blankets should it get cold. MAKE SURE he feels safe in every travel experience and constantly remind him "it’s okay."

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

It is helpful to make hotel arrangements before leaving town because many hotel/motels don’t allow animal companions. When making reservations, I always request a refrigerator for the room to keep Merle’s vegetables. When possible, I bring along fresh vegetables (already cleaned), and I pack a mini food processor to prepare her vegetable/fruit mash meal. If I can’t bring along the vegetables, I go to a grocery store in the area to purchase them. I NEVER leave her alone in a hotel room...she is always with me.

If staying with friends, either bring along or send ahead, a portable bird cage with some of your bird’s toys and perches.

AIR TRANSPORTATION

Reservations must be made with the airlines in advance because only one pet is allowed per cabin per trip. A health certificate is also advised as many airports are strict about having them.

Merlin likes to talk in airports because she loves to be the center of attention; however, she is very quiet in the air. One reason is that I place her under the seat by the window, and there’s no activity, such as people walking down the aisle, to distract her. In the air she is fed watery fruits and vegetables, such as cantaloupe, grapes and water melon, to prevent dehydration; and her carrier is covered with a jacket or airplane blanket to prevent drafts.

CAR TRANSPORTATION

The car is carefully prepared before taking off. I cover the car seat with a sheet to protect it from messes and strap Merlin’s travel case in the front seat. The front seat is NEVER recommended in cars with air bags because if one goes off, your bird would probably be killed immediately. The air conditioner/heater vents are turned away from the cage to prevent direct drafts, and the following travel supplies are packed in the car: food and container of bottled water in an ice chest; supply of Bounty and small trash bags for trash; spray bottle; emergency first aid kit; towel for shading parts of the cage from sun/glares; and blankets, if the weather is chilly.

Well, we’re off again. When you travel, look for the silver-gray bird with a red tail.

©2000 Margaret T. Wright