Air travel with Gouldians- any tips

[Jonw]

I need to fly with about 8 gouldians from Spokane (very cold now) to Los Angeles. I am planning on buying a small travel cage and placing it in a duffle bag, thus avoiding drafts. I will be carrying in aboard and storing it either under my seat or in the overhead. Any suggestions on water...I was told to give water until it was not allowed , then put cut oranges in the cage for liquid. I am also using a water bottle with a ball shut off but my birds are not used to this type of waterer.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[bonnies_gouldians]

Are you 100% certain that you can take the birds as carry on? Most plane companies will only allow cats and dogs onboard in the cabin. Please share which company you are flying with, would be good to know for future reference that one of them allows birds in the cabin, much safer that way than in the belly of the plane.

[Jonw]

I am traveling Alaska Airlines..they will only allow a certain number of cages in each cabin. I've gotten differing answers- been told a max of 3 birds per cage; but all my research says the more the better. Alaska says they need a health certificate on the web site, CS people say I don't. Thinking of getting one anyway with a leter from the vet explaining why more birds are better- warmth, etc. Alaska charges $100.00 for the service. Will keep you posted as I find out more.

Jon

[dfcauley]

I think the best way to provide them with water is a piece of soaked bread.

[franny]

or a sponge soaked with water.

[dfcauley]

or a sponge soaked with water.

I'd be a little afraid of the sponge. Do you think they could get a piece of it in their mouth?

[zookeeper78]

Not sure if this will help you but it may. I have flown Many times with cats as "carry on". When booking the flight the animal's 'ticket' is booked at the same time. I always had to check in at the desk, not thru the e-ticket machine, so they could confirm/check out the animals ticket and details. they may or may not ask for a health cert. I was never asked for one but always had it just in case.

The most fun part was going thru security because the cat(s) had to be taken out of their carrier bag and go thru the metal detector with me while their carrier bag went thru the x-ray machine. I don't know if they would make you take finches out, I would hope not, but sometimes TSA isn't all that understanding when it comes to animals travelling. Had to put up a bit of a fight when they wanted me to take a cat with me thru one of those new puffer thing you walk thru that very loudly puffs air around you. TSA didn't seem to understand or care that this would completely freak the cat out , they finally just let us go without going thru the puffer thing.

As for water I have no idea. The cats would go without for the duration of the flight, but they don't need it as much or as frequently as little finches. I have heard of the orange slice thing before, could work. Will you have enough time beforehand to teach the birds what the lixit bottle is? That is if TSA doesn't make you dump it or toss it being it is one of those darn prohibited liquids

I also don't know if they will allow the birds in the overhead bin, the cats always went under the seat, could vary by airline I guess. Again I have only flown with cats, not birds but hopefully it will help you. Good luck!

[Sally]

Most airlines have made up their 'bird' rules with parrots in mind. They are concerned that the bird will be quite loud and disturb other passengers. Also, limits on number of birds comes into play with larger birds--the airlines envision a small carrier stuffed with parrots, all shrieking their heads off. They don't have a lot of experience with finches being carried on board. When I carried finches one time, they never made a sound the whole trip.

When going thru security, if you just let the screener know that you have a carrier with small birds, they should do a visual check and pass the birds and carrier around the x-ray machine, while the duffel bag goes thru. They may call for a supervisor to do the check, but there is no way you can remove the birds from the carrier.

A wet sponge in a small dish is the best way to provide water--lasts for hours--and this is the way many shippers provide water for cargo shipping. If your birds aren't used to the water bottle, it is likely they will not use it at all during the flight.

I would suggest putting the duffel bag under the seat, with the top zipped open just a bit for ventilation. Aircraft get quite cold on the floor, so you might want to have a towel or small blanket on the bottom of the duffel bag to keep the birds comfortable. The problem with putting the bag in the overhead is that on takeoff and landing, luggage can sometimes shift, and some of those bags are so extremely heavy, I would worry about the birds being crushed.

[L in Ontario]

Quite a number of very good tips given here. Thanks all!

[Jonw]

Just wanted to thank all those who responded to my post...De to the EXTREME cold weather I decided NOt to take the birds with me this trip...I did find out that California DOES reqiure a health certificate, Alaska will allow small birds in the cabin with arrangements made in advance for a $100 fee...I'm going to fly with them in the spring and will let everyone know how it goes...I'm moving with some beautiful yellow backs and a blue back

Jon

[bonnies_gouldians]

Good to know that about the health certificates. I would love an update on how the flight goes when you make the trip in the spring.