Have macaw, will travel

[Sarah13]

Disclaimer: Carrier Advised/Do at own Risk.
I know AA requires a disclaimer for outdoor free flight but couldn't remember if one was also required for car rides as those types of threads have blown up in the past.
Okay, that out of the way...

Transport in a carrier is safest and ideal but I also train stationing on a perch while in a vehicle as well.
It took him a few laps around the empty parking lot to figure out the most stable place to sit and that I am absolutely not a comfy option but once he got it, he was terrific.

Training this behavior is great for desensitization opportunities but also vital for adaptability.
There could always be an emergency where a carrier is not available/cannot be used which would be disastrous for a bird, and driver/others on the road, if not desensitized to riding open in a vehicle.

If the bird is trained to station and is familiar/even enjoys perching in a car out of a carrier, you both can stay much safer should such a situation ever arise.

He's trained and great with the carrier so now I want him confident and happy with both options as you never know what life throws your way... best to be prepared.
~ Tatzu Tuesday

 

[Sarah13]

With a second bird joining, I also discovered and picked up a "birdie car seat".
That way they have places to sit and not feel crowded on the middle perch.
There's also a bowl for water and or snacks if/as needed.

This thing is so neat!

 

[Kiwi's Dad]

With a second bird joining, I also discovered and picked up a "birdie car seat".
That way they have places to sit and not feel crowded on the middle perch.
There's also a bowl for water and or snacks if/as needed.

This thing is so neat!

View attachment 414042

That's so cool! Where did you get it?

 

[Toy]

That seat is cool. However JaKhu (B&G Macaw)...aka JaKhu the Destroyer....would have the headrest & seat chewed to bits in minutes. I can not trust her not to destroy anything.

 

[Shezbug]

I note that there is a disclaimer about using a carrier which I am happy to see and I am not ignoring it, just chucking in my thoughts as I see these dangerous “car seats” on Instagram all the time and totally cringe every time.

I will always be the party pooper and also be the logical safety freak when it comes to safety- no gamble on my birds life is worth the fuzzy happy feelings or convenience of not having to lug about a travel carrier!

I love the idea however I’m more concerned at what happens to the bird in the event of an accident therefore I think they’re totally useless and actually irresponsible (sorry!)
I’d never encourage travelling anywhere with your bird unprotected, same goes for dogs, cats and children- anyone familiar with what happens to unrestrained items and living beings in an accident (even minor) would never use this while travelling.

My mum works in road safety and my bf is a mechanic who has the towing contract for the police… if you’ve seen what happens to unrestrained animals and how they don’t even look anything like how they should at the end of a minor crash then I don’t think you’d ever consider using these while travelling anywhere.

 

[Kiwi's Dad]

I’m sorry but I will be the party pooper here and also be the logical safety freak- no gamble on my birds life is worth the fuzzy happy feelings or convenience of not having to lug about a travel carrier!

I love the idea however I’m more concerned at what happens to the bird in the event of an accident therefore I think they’re totally useless and actually irresponsible (sorry!)
I’d never encourage travelling anywhere with your bird unprotected, same goes for dogs, cats and children- anyone familiar with what happens to unrestrained items and living beings in an accident (even minor) would never use this while travelling.

My mum works in road safety and my bf is a mechanic who has the towing contract for the police… if you’ve seen what happens to unrestrained animals and how they don’t even look anything like how they should at the end of a minor crash then I don’t think you’d ever consider using these while travelling anywhere.

Wow never realized how dangerous it could be! Thanks @Shezbug

 

[Shezbug]

Wow never realized how dangerous it could be! Thanks @Shezbug

I really hate to be a party pooper but some pictures just don’t leave your mind and the ones of innocent unrestrained pets and children are the ones that haunt me the most- they’re all totally unavoidable.
@Nnbal recently was in an accident with Pasha- can happen to anyone at anytime. Thankfully Pasha was in a crate and was unharmed- I’d hate to think of the outcome of the crate wasn’t used.

 

[Xoetix]

With a second bird joining, I also discovered and picked up a "birdie car seat".
That way they have places to sit and not feel crowded on the middle perch.
There's also a bowl for water and or snacks if/as needed.

This thing is so neat!

View attachment 414042

Ok, that thing is super neat.

 

[Xoetix]

I note that there is a disclaimer about using a carrier which I am happy to see and I am not ignoring it, just chucking in my thoughts as I see these dangerous “car seats” on Instagram all the time and totally cringe every time.

I will always be the party pooper and also be the logical safety freak when it comes to safety- no gamble on my birds life is worth the fuzzy happy feelings or convenience of not having to lug about a travel carrier!

I love the idea however I’m more concerned at what happens to the bird in the event of an accident therefore I think they’re totally useless and actually irresponsible (sorry!)
I’d never encourage travelling anywhere with your bird unprotected, same goes for dogs, cats and children- anyone familiar with what happens to unrestrained items and living beings in an accident (even minor) would never use this while travelling.

My mum works in road safety and my bf is a mechanic who has the towing contract for the police… if you’ve seen what happens to unrestrained animals and how they don’t even look anything like how they should at the end of a minor crash then I don’t think you’d ever consider using these while travelling anywhere.

I totally agree with you - I’ve seen some things come into the vet clinic that are really terrifying. We had an enucleation (eye removal) on a dog who had his head out the window, and a rock flew up and caught him just right. A freak accident, sure, but I’ve not let my dogs stick their heads out of a car since.

I do see @Sarah13 ’s point, in that training for an emergency situation (like a hurricane evacuation or fire evacuation) when you don’t have that extra minute for the carrier makes sense, but yes, the safety concern is paramount.

It does make me wonder if having a carrier of some sort, like a dog crate, in the back at all times if viable would be a better method, but I know not everyone can have a crate in their car at all times. My car for example is extremely small and it would pretty much take up the entirety of my backseat to do that. But I wonder if there is a similar option for emergency situations.

 

[Nnbal]

Yes, we had a terrible accident.

If Pasha had not been in a travel cage, the result would have been very different and sad.

Accidents happen very suddenly. And my father, who was driving the car, asks how did this happen, how could I have such an accident.

I think the only reason Pasha is alive now is the travel cage. And a miracle.

I got goosebumps when I saw the bird car seat you shared.
This reminded me of the accident. It even reminded me of the possibility of Pasha's death.

I would never want this terrible thing to happen to anyone. That's why I wanted to describe my experiences in detail.

 

[Sarah13]

That's so cool! Where did you get it?

They're on Amazon

 

[Sarah13]

That seat is cool. However JaKhu (B&G Macaw)...aka JaKhu the Destroyer....would have the headrest & seat chewed to bits in minutes. I can not trust her not to destroy anything.

Oh yeah, dense wood and PVC are decent but no match for a bird that legitimately wants to destroy.

 

[Sarah13]

I note that there is a disclaimer about using a carrier which I am happy to see and I am not ignoring it, just chucking in my thoughts as I see these dangerous “car seats” on Instagram all the time and totally cringe every time.

I will always be the party pooper and also be the logical safety freak when it comes to safety- no gamble on my birds life is worth the fuzzy happy feelings or convenience of not having to lug about a travel carrier!

I love the idea however I’m more concerned at what happens to the bird in the event of an accident therefore I think they’re totally useless and actually irresponsible (sorry!)
I’d never encourage travelling anywhere with your bird unprotected, same goes for dogs, cats and children- anyone familiar with what happens to unrestrained items and living beings in an accident (even minor) would never use this while travelling.

My mum works in road safety and my bf is a mechanic who has the towing contract for the police… if you’ve seen what happens to unrestrained animals and how they don’t even look anything like how they should at the end of a minor crash then I don’t think you’d ever consider using these while travelling anywhere.

Yep, I use a carrier when I transport.
I just use this for training and desensitization purposes/in case of emergency.
It would likely CAUSE an accident if a bird panicked due to lack of training/desensitization.
I'm just a big proponent of prevention for any possible situation.

I have police and wound care specialists in the family and have yes, seen some pretty horrific things hence training the use of a carrier.

 

[Sarah13]

I really hate to be a party pooper but some pictures just don’t leave your mind and the ones of innocent unrestrained pets and children are the ones that haunt me the most- they’re all totally unavoidable.
@Nnbal recently was in an accident with Pasha- can happen to anyone at anytime. Thankfully Pasha was in a crate and was unharmed- I’d hate to think of the outcome of the crate wasn’t used.

You're not a party pooper.
You're simply giving a logistical observation.

 

[Sarah13]

Ok, that thing is super neat.

It works great on normal furniture as well.

 

[Sarah13]

I totally agree with you - I’ve seen some things come into the vet clinic that are really terrifying. We had an enucleation (eye removal) on a dog who had his head out the window, and a rock flew up and caught him just right. A freak accident, sure, but I’ve not let my dogs stick their heads out of a car since.

I do see @Sarah13 ’s point, in that training for an emergency situation (like a hurricane evacuation or fire evacuation) when you don’t have that extra minute for the carrier makes sense, but yes, the safety concern is paramount.

It does make me wonder if having a carrier of some sort, like a dog crate, in the back at all times if viable would be a better method, but I know not everyone can have a crate in their car at all times. My car for example is extremely small and it would pretty much take up the entirety of my backseat to do that. But I wonder if there is a similar option for emergency situations.

Yep....same thing with my clients letting their horses go down the road with their heads out of the trailer.
It is so dangerous and I've seen horses come OUT through the window.
Down when stopped or below 30 for desensitization, temperature etc is fine but good gods, not going down the road/freeway etc.

I'd do the permanent carrier deal but I work as a trainer for so may clients that it just isn't practical/feasible.

For ridiculous emergencies you couldn't prep for or no time, like a fire, pillow cases are a life saver.

 

[Sarah13]

Yes, we had a terrible accident.

If Pasha had not been in a travel cage, the result would have been very different and sad.

Accidents happen very suddenly. And my father, who was driving the car, asks how did this happen, how could I have such an accident.

I think the only reason Pasha is alive now is the travel cage. And a miracle.

I got goosebumps when I saw the bird car seat you shared.
This reminded me of the accident. It even reminded me of the possibility of Pasha's death.

I would never want this terrible thing to happen to anyone. That's why I wanted to describe my experiences in detail.

Yes, I am so glad you are all okay.
I use carrier for transport.
These are for desensitization/ training regarding novel stimuli and crazy life things that can occur and be to be prepared for/exposure etc.

 

[Shezbug]

It works great on normal furniture as well.

I do like them for use on chairs that might otherwise get ruined by poop or food.

 

[Sarah13]

I do like them for use on chairs that might otherwise get ruined by poop or food.

Yeah, I am a huge fan of trying to save floor space, ease of cleaning, floating perches and or wall mounted perches et cetera.
They look so cool.
I like this seat perch for when I go to an outdoor Cafe with a bird(s) as well.
It is uber handy.