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From: cjqx@vax5.cit.cornell.edu
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: re: INDOOR: moving with a parrot
Message-ID: <1991Mar10.193640.3249@vax5.cit.cornell.edu>
Date: 10 Mar 91 23:36:40 GMT
References: <1991Mar8.205749.18481@cbnewsl.att.com>
Distribution: usa,rec
Organization: CIT, Cornell University
Lines: 40

In article <1991Mar8.205749.18481@cbnewsl.att.com>,
nora@cbnewsl.att.com (nora.y.mclaughlin) writes:
>
> I will be moving about 800 miles away soon and I have to move my
> animal family with me.  Besides the others, I have a Blue Front.
> Does anyone have suggestions on moving them int  the car with you,
> such as what kind of cage/crate, etc.  The drive I expecto to be
> about 1 and 1/2 days long.  I have never done this and need any
> advice/suggestons any one may offer.  E-mail replys would be great
> or direct net is OK also.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Nora

Wow, finally a post that's right up my alley! I am a graduate student, and
bought my umbrella cockatoo during my senior year in college. I also had a cat
at the time, and now have a dog too! Anyway, after graduation the cat and the
bird drove in the car with my boyfriend and me from southern california to
washington state. I should add that my cockatoo is especially mild mannered,
and not easily upset. The only thing that seemed to bother her in the car
(which she got used to pretty quick) was driving under overpasses - it seems
that the shadow passing overhead bothered her! (probably thought it was a big
bird of prey!) After the summer, we then drove from washington state to new
york, and took nine days to do it! What's more, we camped about three quarters
of the time, leaving the cat and the bird in the car (in their respective
cages, of course!)

As for equipment, I decided to purchase a guinea pig wire cage, to use turned
on end (to give the right height proportions). I got a regular dowel from the
pet store, and cut it to fit. I used wood screws and washers to hold it in the
cage. In my opinion, this is a better set-up than a plastic pet carrier. The
bird will be much more comfortable with an open air cage and perch. My cockatoo
actually seemed to enjoy looking out of the windows and watching things go by.
If you think about it, it is probably similar to the view during flight, but
without the effort!

I hope things go well for you. I didn't get the impression from my bird that
there was anything especially frightening about riding in the car.

Kate