Puna Parrots

[terracore]

Hello,

My wife and I are contemplating a relocation from Alaska to the big island, probably the Puna area, and we have several large parrots. My first question, does anybody have any experiences of importing parrots into Hawaii? We have read all the policies and regulations, but nothing beats hearing actual experience.

Also, does anybody have any experience keeping parrots outdoors in large flights?

[lostboystoy]

Aloha and welcome
Getting your birds here is not too difficult as long as you do everything ! No skipping any steps make sure all your paper work is in blue ink it is best to have one person fill out all paper work this includes your health certificates from your vet. Your birds will have to be quarantined in Alaska for thirty days in a mosquito proof environment monitored by your vet.. This is too insure you don't bring the West Nile virus into Hawaii. You will need your birds tested for west Nile , you will need a health certificate and a aclamation certificate stating the temp while traveling falls within specific guidelines . You will need to mosquito proof your carriers for travel. Can be as easy. As duct taping window screen over the door and vent holes. You will have to go through Oahu through the AG dept. No one will help you get your birds from AG to airport it's about a half mile walk. We snatched baggage carriers and used them.
Your carriers should be large enough that the bird can turn around without bending tail feathers. And their is only 1-2 animals per flight inner island so if your bringing more than two you will have to put them on the next flight as long as no one else already booked their animal. It's kinda tough but worth it.
Please make sure your paper work is in blue ink... It proves you didn't photo copy it. So theirs no questions. Because everyone and their brother will tell you all kinds of crap, the airlines don't communicate well between the AG dept and the airlines. So you will get told all kinds of stuff.
Good luck

setting my soul free....

[terracore]

Excellent information. How do the birds get from the airplane to AG? How long does the AG process take? If I arrive in HNL in the early afternoon, is it possible to get them to KOA the same day, or do I need to overnight the birds somewhere?

The limit on # of birds per plane is a concern, and we'll have to time this right with the weather. We estimate it will take about $10,000 just to bring the birds over (because it will take multiple trips).

Our biggest concern isn't the importation requirements, but how to keep the macaws from chewing out of their kennels. Our scarlet macaw can chew out of one in under 5 minutes, so we'll have to invent something.

Any recommendations on an island company who can build outside aviaries?

Thanks again for all your help.

[Obie]

Contact Smiley at 808-965-5500.She has cared for dozens of birds for a number of years.
Tell her Obie said to call.

Edit phone #

[csgray]

Terracore,
Have you thought about helping offset the cost of someone's plane ticket in return for flying some of your birds through for you? You and your wife could fly on separate flights with a "friend" who gets a good deal on their ticket in return for helping you get your birds over and save yourselves multiple round trips. I know people who did this with other pets and it saved them a lot of money and time.

Carol

[terracore]

Great ideas, all of them.

[lostboystoy]

Ha ha boy do I know about chewing macaws. Ok here is what you do you have to build custom crates out of 3/4 plywood untreated preferably sign quality your box will measure four foot in length by twenty four inches high hinge your door on top . Here is the tricky part ventilation must be on three sides you can cover them with sheet metal. Put a couple ropes on two sides of carrier.
You can contact island pet movers in ohau they can custom build them their about 150 cheaper to make yourself but island pet movers are great people who coordinate flights handling water food the whole nine yards. If you have alot of birds to move I highly recommend them you can also find them on Facebook

setting my soul free....