As a pet bird owner, there are many situations where you may need to safely transport your avian companions. Visits to the vet for checkups, wing-clipping or nail trimming cannot be undertaken with a bird unless you have them restrained in a carrier or travel cage. You may like to travel with your bird, in which case it is imperative that you have a good carrier. If you live in areas prone to hurricanes or other intense weather events you may have to evacuate quickly and will need a way to bring your pet with you.
Comparison of Bird Travel Cages & Carriers
| Name | Image | Price | Type | Size |  Our Rating | Our Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celltei Pak-o-Bird |  | Check Price | Backpack | 13 x 12 x 18 inches | 5/5 | Best Overall |
| Petsfit New Style Bird Carrier |  | Check Price | Backpack | 13 x 10 x 16 inches | 4/5 | |
| Kings Cages ATT 1214 Aluminum Parrot Bird Cage |  | Check Price | Travel Cage | 15 x 12 x 14 inches | 4.5/5 | Best Value |
| A and E Cage Co. Soft Sided Travel Bird Carrier |  | Check Price | Carrier | 13.5 x 9 x 18.5 inches | 4/5 | |
| Windridercreations Macaw Carrier |  | Check Price | Carrier | 36 x 12 x 16 inches | 4.5/5 |
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Considerations When Buying A Pet Bird Carrier
You have many choices when deciding on the right carrier for your pet bird. It is worth taking the time to ensure that you make a good choice, as your carrier will often last for your bird’s lifetime. The best carrier for your bird will allow you to transport it comfortably and safely while subjecting it to the least amount of stress possible. Here are some of the features that you need to investigate prior to making your purchase.
What Are You Going To Use Your Bird Carrier For?
Short trips to the vet
The way you plan to use your carrier can have a major impact on which one you choose to buy. If the only time you plan on taking your bird out is for a trip to the vet, then you can go with a simple, no-frills model that can be strapped to the back seat of your vehicle.
Hiking and outdoors
You may want to take your pet with you on hikes and other outdoor activities. Backpack bird carriers will probably be your best choice and are available for birds of all sizes. They often come equipped with bowls for food or water, as well as perches and panels that offer the bird a view of their surroundings or shade if required.
Overnight Stays
Cage carriers are a good choice for taking your bird on overnight stays. You can get carriers with a play top so your pet can spend some time out of the cage comfortably.
Carriers are also available that are expressly intended to get your bird from one place to another, where it is expected they will be released to their regular cage or living arrangements. These are smaller and have fewer features, but will get your bird safely to your destination.
Airline Travel
If you plan on flying with your bird, you will need to get an airline approved bird carrier. Size restrictions for keeping your bird under the seat may vary with different airlines, so be sure to research your preferred carrier. A more detailed guide to mailing your bird via an airline is available here.
For use during a storm or hurricane
Those who may be buying their carrier with a concern over potential extreme weather such as hurricanes need to plan on the possibility that this carrier may be their pet’s home for an extended period of time. Adequate space for your bird to move around, ease of cleaning, and a robust set of feeding bowls are critical features of a carrier intended to be used in an evacuation. More details for looking after your bird during a storm, click on the image below:
Size and Perch Placement
The most basic requirement for your bird carrier is that it is properly sized for your bird. You want the bird to be able to turn around inside the carrier at a minimum. All bird species will need a perch, and its placement is something that needs to be looked at before you choose a carrier.
Some carriers have adjustable perches while in some cases the perches are not movable. You will want a perch of the proper diameter for your bird’s feet and that allows the bird to fit comfortably with clearance between the roof of the carrier and its head. The perch should also be high enough that your bird’s tail will not be touching the floor of the cage.
Caution needs to be taken with smaller birds. According to the website hari.ca, birds can become stressed in carriers made for larger birds and can also potentially escape through ventilation holes. Unlike their home cage, larger is often not better when looking at transport carriers.
Construction Material
You need to take into account the possibility that your bird will try to chew its way out of the carrier, even if it is relatively happy in there. Small birds such as finches or canaries can be transported in a carrier made of plastic or sturdy fabric. Any hook-bill can potentially be an aggressive chewer, and larger birds like cockatoos and macaws can chew and destroy even the better made carriers.
Special care must be taken with stronger birds that can use their beaks to make an escape. If going with a cage-type carrier you should stick to stainless steel or aluminum. The beaks of larger parrots can destroy weaker cages and also these materials are lighter to carry than iron cages. If you opt for a backpack style bird carrier, you need to go with a top quality design that uses strong, durable, and bird-proof materials. The materials used to construct any mesh panels is especially critical in safeguarding your avian family member.
Carrier Hygiene
Keeping your carrier clean is important, and a removable tray is a nice feature. Bottom grills that keep your bird off a potentially soiled carrier floor is also a good idea. Some carriers make it easy to use a substrate or paper lining for ease of cleaning. Try to avoid carriers with many crevices that can harbor food or waste and lead to bacterial growth.
Carrier Price
Pet carriers are available for under $40, and though they may not be designed specifically for birds, may serve the purpose for simple trips to the vet. However, more high end bird travel cages and carriers will set you back several hundred dollars but are much more durable and will last a lot longer. I would suggest that price should not be the determining factor when choosing a carrier. The features that you desire may lead to a more expensive carrier but will result in one that is regularly used and enjoyed by both you and your pet.
The primary concern should be that your bird is safe, cannot escape, and is as stress-free as possible. A few extra dollars spent will be repaid many times over with the peace of mind that comes with knowing your avian companion is comfortable and secure.
Preparing Your Bird to Travel and Using Its Carrier
Once you have determined which carrier suits you and your pet, you need to acclimate the bird to this newly introduced enclosure. Prior to attempting to transport your bird in the carrier, you need to help your bird feel safe and comfortable when it is inside. This may take some time, and you may find that certain birds never fully take to the style of carrier you have chosen. If your bird refuses to use the style you purchased, you may have to go in another direction to keep your parrot happy.
According to petcha.com, there are a number of steps you can take to get your bird ready to use its carrier. Among them are:
- If possible choose a travel cage or carrier that resembles your bird’s current home. This will lessen the time it takes for your bird to accept it. Place the cage in your bird’s room and let it get used to just seeing it as a non-threatening object over several days or weeks.
- Put some favorite toys and treats in the carrier while your bird is enjoying out of the cage time and let it investigate at its own pace. Avoid dangling toys as they can swing around and injure your bird during the ride.
- Teach your bird to drink from a water bottle. Not all birds pick this up at first but it is critical as water bowls do not travel well. Monitor your bird’s water consumption to ensure that they are drinking enough to stay hydrated.
Tips For Traveling With Your Bird
Once your bird is accustomed to its travel carrier it is time to hit the road. According to peteducation.com, there are a number of issues to consider when traveling with a pet bird. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- If staying in a hotel, ensure that it is a pet-friendly and smoke-free room. Latent smoke fumes can be deadly for your avian traveler.
- Health exams must be scheduled and a signed verification of health obtained from your vet before interstate travel. Talk to your vet about herbal supplements for motion sickness.
- Always fasten your bird’s carrier with seat belts in the back seat. Front seats can be dangerous as side airbags can deploy and cause injury.
- Bring enough of your bird’s favorite foods to last the whole trip. Bottled water that you know is safe is also recommended, as are cleaning and first-aid supplies.
- Bathe your bird and perform any grooming such as nail or wing clipping prior to your trip. In the week before you embark, supply your bird with stress formula vitamins and minerals.
- To minimize the risk of your bird falling off its perch, strap the cage so when the bird is on the perch it is looking out a side window. This gives it the length of the perch on which to catch its balance as the vehicle starts and stops.
- NEVER leave your bird unattended in your vehicle for even a few minutes.
Below is a video demonstrating some tips on acclimating your bird for traveling.
Reviews of Five Quality Bird Carriers
We looked at a range of different bird travel cages and bird carriers including:
- Celltei Pak-o-Bird – A large bird carrier backpack.
- Petsfit New Style Bird Carrier – Another versatile bird carrier backpack.
- Kings Cages ATT 1214 – An aluminium lightweight bird travel cage.
- A and E Cage Co. Soft Sided Travel Bird Carrier – A smaller sized bird carrier for short trips.
- Windridercreations Macaw Carrier – A see through/acrylic bird carrier.
Review Of: Celltei Pak-o-Bird
- Adjustable perch heights of 6, 8 and 10 inches from floor
- Will take an optional water bottle
- Two stainless steel food cups
- Allows bird toys to be attached
- Side curtains for privacy or shade
- Detachable floor panel and ability to open fully for easy cleaning
- No bottom grate to separate bird from flooring
- Too large for use on airlines
- More expensive than other backpack style carriers
The Pak-o-Bird by Celltei is a full-featured backpack style bird carrier. It offers multiple carrying options as it can be used as a backpack, shoulder bag or strapped to the front of your body. The pack can also easily be fastened to your vehicle’s seatbelts.
The mesh is made from stainless steel to keep your bird from chewing its way out of the pack and affords excellent ventilation. The inside is constructed of heavy-duty Denier nylon. It comes with a dragon wood perch that can be placed at various heights. The Pak-o-Bird is available in many sizes that can handle any bird from a budgie to a large macaw. Great pack for hiking or taking your bird on outdoor adventures. Below is a video that shows a cockatoo using the Pak-o-Bird:
Verdict
This is an excellent carrier that will serve you well both as an outdoor carrier and for transporting your bird in your vehicle.
Review Of: Petsfit New Style Bird Carrier
- Versatile carrying options
- Good ventilation
- Integrated food bowl
- Ability to shade your bird
- Easy cleaning tray
- No bottom grate to keep bird off the floor
- No place for a water bottle
- Cannot hang toys in the pack
- Very small birds may be able to escape through ventilation holes
The New Style Bird Carrier from Petsfit is a nice backpack/shoulder bag style carrier that will work for birds less than 14 inches long. It features a 1 inch diameter perch and a stainless steel food bowl. Ventilation is provided by mesh sides and four 1-inch holes at the top of the pack.
It includes a buckle for securing your pack in a vehicle. Side flaps can be put up for ventilation or down to provide shade or darkness for your bird’s comfort. Bottom tray slides out for easy cleaning. A nice feature of this pack is the inclusion of two pockets for carrying food and other supplies, making it an excellent pack to use if taking a day hike with your parrot.
Verdict
This is a nice pack for hiking but lacks some key features.
Review Of: Kings Cages ATT 1214 Aluminum Parrot Bird Cage
- Lightweight and sturdy
- Removable tray for cleaning
- Anti-rattling magnets
- Large, swing-out door
- Perch not adjustable
- No bottom grate
- No food or water bowls included
This is a sturdy and lightweight cage that makes a great carrier for short trips. It includes two wooden perches, one inside the cage and one that serves as the handle and lets your bird perch on top. It measures 17x12x14 inches and provides an inside height of 14.5 inches. The bars are substantial at 4.5 mm thick and the spacing is 5/8 inch.
The Kings Cages ATT 1214 features a patented front door lock and uses magnets to keep the door tight and prevent rattling during transport. A slide out tray is standard for easy cleaning, and a stopper is included to prevent the tray from slipping out. The unit is easy to assemble and is available in 5 colors. The manufacturer claims this cage will outlast any powder coated cage.
Verdict
This is a good choice for short trips or overnight stays with a small to medium-sized bird.
Review Of: A and E Cage Co. Soft Sided Travel Bird Carrier
- Price is inexpensive
- Lightweight
- Moveable perch
- Good ventilation and visibility for occupant
- Two size options to fit many smaller and medium-sized birds
- Removable floor panel for cleaning
- Not suitable for larger birds
- No place for water bottle or food bowl
- Cannot hang toys
The Soft Sided Travel Bird Carrier by A and E Cage Company will work well for transporting small and medium birds for short distances. It features a top handle as well as a snap-on shoulder strap. Two sizes are available with the (small carrier) measuring 14.5×10.5×7 inches, with the (larger carrier) a more spacious 18.5×13.5×9 inches.
The carrier’s front opens on 3 sides with a double zipper. Its decorative material can be obtained in black or green. If you plan on using your carrier mostly for trips to the vet, this economical bird carrier will work well for you.
Verdict
This is a serviceable carrier for short trips with small to medium-sized birds.
Review Of: Windridercreations Macaw Carrier
- Strong enough to hold any bird
- Moveable inner perch
- Great for displays at bird shows
- Integrated food bowls
- Works well with birds that have long tail feathers
- Heavy – weighs in at 15 pounds.
- Height may force bird to keep its head lower than usual
The Macaw Carrier by Windridercreations is an acrylic carrier that shows off your bird while it is being transported. It is essentially a large, transparent box that is made of materials that will stand up to any parrot’s beak.
Specifically designed with the large tails of a macaw in mind, this carrier’s internal size is about 12x15x35 inches long. It comes with two water/food bowls and has ample ventilation holes to keep your bird comfortable. An inner, moveable perch is included and the handle also serves as a perch so your bird can spend some time out of its carrier.
Verdict
This is an excellent and nearly indestructible carrier for large birds.
Recap
So to repeat, the 5 best bird carriers are:
- Celltei Pak-o-Bird
- Petsfit New Style Bird Carrier
- Kings Cages ATT 1214 Aluminum Parrot Bird Cage
- A and E Cage Co. Soft Sided Travel Bird Carrier
- Windridercreations Macaw Carrier
