Taking a parrot to India

Greenparrot · Jun 5th, 2009, 13:34

I'm new around here, so please forgive me if I'm posting a redundant thread; most of the pet posts I've encountered thus far have related to dogs and cats, so I thought I'd start a new one...

I'm in the process of preparing to relocate to South India; not sure how long I'll be there ultimately, but it's looking like at least a year and a half. I also happen to have a pet parrotlet that I'd like to take with me if possible. Does anyone here have experience taking a parrot (or other pet bird) into India? Any legal/housing/health issues you encountered? And for US residents, once you've taken your bird out of the country, is it possible to bring him back to the States when you visit family? Before I forget, I should mention that this is an extremely tiny bird--4.5 inches tall, and likely lighter than the wristwatch you're wearing.

Thanks so much for any help you can give me! I'm so glad to have found this site, and have learned a lot already.

luckywin · Jun 5th, 2009, 13:37

For a local its ok can be managed to carry a bird pet. But I am sure you find it difficult to carry it when you travel. You are not allowed legally to carry a bird.

Haylo · Jun 5th, 2009, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckywin

You are not allowed legally to carry a bird.

Can you clarify what you mean by this?

Clearly you cannot just carry a bird onto your flight, but surely there must be some form of legal import / export process, as there is for mammals?

Raghu.Kumar · Jun 5th, 2009, 14:26

Hi Green Parrot,

India permits import of only certain species of Parrots to be brought in. Could you specify what breed and any other specification you might have and I can check and let you know of the same.

Raghu

\

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenparrot

I'm new around here, so please forgive me if I'm posting a redundant thread; most of the pet posts I've encountered thus far have related to dogs and cats, so I thought I'd start a new one...

I'm in the process of preparing to relocate to South India; not sure how long I'll be there ultimately, but it's looking like at least a year and a half. I also happen to have a pet parrotlet that I'd like to take with me if possible. Does anyone here have experience taking a parrot (or other pet bird) into India? Any legal/housing/health issues you encountered? And for US residents, once you've taken your bird out of the country, is it possible to bring him back to the States when you visit family? Before I forget, I should mention that this is an extremely tiny bird--4.5 inches tall, and likely lighter than the wristwatch you're wearing.

Thanks so much for any help you can give me! I'm so glad to have found this site, and have learned a lot already.

roopeeman · Jun 5th, 2009, 14:47

Why don't you free the bird and look for a human friend in Indiua!

AwayFromHome · Jun 5th, 2009, 15:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckywin

For a local its ok can be managed to carry a bird pet. But I am sure you find it difficult to carry it when you travel. You are not allowed legally to carry a bird.

Import of birds, turtles etc. is very cumbersome.

It is possible, but India has very stringent rules on importing these kind of species.
I was told that if I wanted to bring my pet budgies to India, I should have started a rigorous, official process 6 months in advance.

Greenparrot · Jun 5th, 2009, 22:27

Thanks, everyone, for your input!

And thanks, Raghu, for offering to find out about the specific breed; you're very kind. My bird is a Pacific (or Celestial) Parrotlet. The Latin name is Forpus coelestis, if that helps.

Wow...six months of applications, huh? That does sound daunting. Thanks for the heads up, AwayFromHome! I definitely need to know that kind of thing as I think about whether taking my bird with me is a good idea...

goangoangone · Jun 6th, 2009, 00:26

You can transport any pet, so why not a parrot? If he needs certificates etc., then they must be available.

A quick Google:

http://www.airlines.org/customerserv...r+Your+Pet.htm

goangoangone · Jun 6th, 2009, 00:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenparrot

Thanks, everyone, for your input!

And thanks, Raghu, for offering to find out about the specific breed; you're very kind. My bird is a Pacific (or Celestial) Parrotlet. The Latin name is Forpus coelesti s, if that helps.

Wow...six months of applications, huh? That does sound daunting. Thanks for the heads up, AwayFromHome! I definitely need to know that kind of thing as I think about whether taking my bird with me is a good idea...

Get him a passport and a Tourist visa. I'm sure he'll blag his way through.

Haylo · Jun 6th, 2009, 00:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raghu.Kumar

India permits import of only certain species of Parrots to be brought in.

Ah, that makes sense, perhaps the government is concerned about pet parrots escaping and either breeding with the local parrots, or establishing colonies which might unbalance the local ecology?

Hal · Jun 6th, 2009, 01:03

Is it listed on CITES? If so that will require some paperwork as well.

goangoangone · Jun 6th, 2009, 08:35

Maybe start here: http://www.airlines.org/customerserv...r+Your+Pet.htm

camelgirl · Jun 6th, 2009, 10:00

Today someone asked about bringing their dog to India and there were some good responses about pets in general. Check out this thread and look at #4

Bringing Dog to India and back to the US

birds · Jun 6th, 2009, 14:42

Even if it is possible, I am not sure whether it is a wise thing to do. I know little about birds but can imagine that they are easy to pickup infections and may be sensitive to climate changes etc.

Also keep in mind that we (more or less) know what the rules are now but not in the future. With things like bird-flu, swine-flu, etc. we are seeing that countries changes their rules quite arbitrarily and mostly making it more difficult rather than easier. Such things could impact taking the bird out of India again.

Overall, considering that you are not permanently moving to India, the hassle in terms of paperwork for both import as well as export, and the possible health problems for the bird, I would advice against it.

Jun 5th, 2009, 13:34	#1
Greenparrot Budding Indiaphile Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: US Posts: 2	Taking a parrot to India I'm new around here, so please forgive me if I'm posting a redundant thread; most of the pet posts I've encountered thus far have related to dogs and cats, so I thought I'd start a new one... I'm in the process of preparing to relocate to South India; not sure how long I'll be there ultimately, but it's looking like at least a year and a half. I also happen to have a pet parrotlet that I'd like to take with me if possible. Does anyone here have experience taking a parrot (or other pet bird) into India? Any legal/housing/health issues you encountered? And for US residents, once you've taken your bird out of the country, is it possible to bring him back to the States when you visit family? Before I forget, I should mention that this is an extremely tiny bird--4.5 inches tall, and likely lighter than the wristwatch you're wearing. Thanks so much for any help you can give me! I'm so glad to have found this site, and have learned a lot already.

Jun 5th, 2009, 14:47	#5
roopeeman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hottingen Posts: 177	Why don't you free the bird and look for a human friend in Indiua! __________________ I believe in incarnation

Jun 6th, 2009, 00:26	#8
goangoangone What happened? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,955	You can transport any pet, so why not a parrot? If he needs certificates etc., then they must be available. A quick Google: http://www.airlines.org/customerserv...r+Your+Pet.htm __________________ GoanGoan......here

Jun 6th, 2009, 10:00	#13
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 2,048	Today someone asked about bringing their dog to India and there were some good responses about pets in general. Check out this thread and look at #4 Bringing Dog to India and back to the US __________________ My selected India photos http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...r/7030/cat/500

Jun 6th, 2009, 14:42	#14
birds Adopt a stray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Goa Posts: 1,063	Even if it is possible, I am not sure whether it is a wise thing to do. I know little about birds but can imagine that they are easy to pickup infections and may be sensitive to climate changes etc. Also keep in mind that we (more or less) know what the rules are now but not in the future. With things like bird-flu, swine-flu, etc. we are seeing that countries changes their rules quite arbitrarily and mostly making it more difficult rather than easier. Such things could impact taking the bird out of India again. Overall, considering that you are not permanently moving to India, the hassle in terms of paperwork for both import as well as export, and the possible health problems for the bird, I would advice against it. __________________ Of the estimated 500 million dogs in the world, approximately 75% are strays, of which about 25 million live in India.

Jun 5th, 2009, 13:37	#2
luckywin Lucky Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 48	For a local its ok can be managed to carry a bird pet. But I am sure you find it difficult to carry it when you travel. You are not allowed legally to carry a bird.

Jun 5th, 2009, 22:27	#7
Greenparrot Budding Indiaphile Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: US Posts: 2	Thanks, everyone, for your input! And thanks, Raghu, for offering to find out about the specific breed; you're very kind. My bird is a Pacific (or Celestial) Parrotlet. The Latin name is Forpus coelestis, if that helps. Wow...six months of applications, huh? That does sound daunting. Thanks for the heads up, AwayFromHome! I definitely need to know that kind of thing as I think about whether taking my bird with me is a good idea...

Jun 6th, 2009, 01:03	#11
Hal . . . _ _ _ . . . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,303	Is it listed on CITES? If so that will require some paperwork as well.

Jun 6th, 2009, 08:35	#12
goangoangone What happened? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,955	Maybe start here: http://www.airlines.org/customerserv...r+Your+Pet.htm

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