On moving little birds across the US? I'm in Alaska and will have to take a ferry probably to Washington (3-day trip). I want to go to Prince Rupert but I've heard that you cannot take unbanded birds through Canada, which none of my birds have bands. I will be driving from there to the east coast. I realize that shipping them would most likely be easier but I don't have anyone I could ship them to so that's not an option. I'm sure people move with birds all the time, I'm just trying to plan the best way to do this. It won't be happening until the fall so I have some time.

are you talking Washington state or Washington D.C? I live in New York, but if you needed someone to ship them to, as long as they have a clean bill of health from the vet, I would more than hapy to help (assuming its D.C. - if its Washington state, I'm pretty far.. lol)

Good Luck

i've heard from a lot of people that shipping is very stressful for birds, so i would avoid that if you can. a few carriers strapped into the back seat with a perch, a few toys, and food/water should be fine. you will just have to be sure to stop at pet friendly hotels on the way, but there are a lot more of those these days.

Are you still planning to move to GA?

You really better check with customs, both US and Canada. Everyone is very weird about birds. Very hard to transport birds across country borders. Even dogs are not easy. Years ago, I needed to bring my dog with me to another country, I had to jump through a lot of hoops. You at least don't have to worry about translating documents, but you will need your papers in order at the least.

Andreya, here's a little info. I found, which was just updated on the site. It may help or there may be links there that will give you more info.

I live very close to the New York/Canada Peace Bridge crossing and used to be able to easily go back and forth when traveling with my dogs years ago. All I needed was a valid rabies certificate and a current health certificate. Most times they never even looked at it. But laws are always changing, so be sure to double check.

I can't remember the effective date, but soon a passport will be needed to cross the US/Canadian border. I think for right now a valid driver's license and an original birth certificate is acceptable.

I'll post more this evening after I put the Birds to bed about my experience of traveling long distance with my GW. We took Kady with us on family vacation from NY to Florida and back again.

INFO:

For import purposes, the expression "pet bird" means a personally owned and cared for bird, and applies only to species commonly known as "caged" birds such as psittacines, love birds, song birds, toucans, canaries, finches, cardinals, etc. The expression does not apply to pigeons, doves, species of wild or domesticated fowl, or game birds.

It is possible to import personally-owned pet birds under the following conditions:
1. The birds must accompany the owner or in the possession of an immediate family member.
2. The birds must be found to be healthy when inspected at the port of entry.
3. The owner must sign a declaration stating that the birds have been in his/her possession for the (90) ninety-day period preceding the date of importation and have not been in contact with any other birds during that time.
4. The owner must sign a declaration stating that the birds are the owner’s personal pets and are not being imported for the purpose of re-sale.
5. The owner or any member of the family must not have imported birds into Canada under this pet bird provision during the preceding ninety (90) day period.

The necessary certification to clear Customs will be made by filling out the form which is available at Customs. Under the above arrangement, no import permit or quarantine period is required. If these conditions cannot be met, it will be necessary for you to obtain an import permit from the appropriate Canadian Food Inspection Agency regional office in the province into which you will be entering.

The importation of birds into Canada is also subject to the control of the Canadian Wildlife Service (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species - (CITES)). You may contact them by telephone at 613-997-1840, by facsimile at 613-953-6283 or by email at the following address: suzanne.vincent@ec.gc.ca.

Thanks everyone, especially Karen - that is awesome. I tried looking it up but never found that. It would be nice if could go through Canada and cut out the 3 day ferry for me AND for them. I'm mostly afraid it will be too cold to have them in the car below deck for very long. Not to mention I have a couple dogs and cats I will be taking as well. Blah, I could use an Ark right about now.

Will be getting a passport and will make sure to get them all health certificates before I go.

Thanks Josh but I meant Washington state. They're probably right that I shouldn't ship them. If I can get the Canada part straightened out then the rest should be okay.

I'm going to drive. I was thinking that maybe I could have a friend of mine ship them to me once I get there. I am not moving until the fall of this year so I still have some time to sort out the details.