It is frequently necessary to transport birds, whether as part of an experimental protocol (e.g., in a study of homing behavior) or to move research birds from capture sites to the laboratory or other holding facilities. Transport of warm-blooded animals is covered by provisions of AWA [see I.B]. Regulatory authority under AWA is vested in US DA and implemented by APHIS. Rules pertaining to the transport of birds can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 9, Subchapter A, Part 3, Subpart F, and in 50 CFR Ch. 1, Part 14. These regulations contain very specific requirements (e.g., the total surface area of ventilation openings in transport containers). Anyone transporting wild birds should be thoroughly familiar with these regulations, [see //. C] USDA has an Internet site containing current information, and a Voice Response Service (1-800-345-USDA) concerning regulations by state. Information is also available on disc from the Animal Welfare Information Center (301-504-6212; National Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Bldg., Beltsville, MD 20705) and on the Washington University, St. Louis Web site (Appendix A).
The shipper is responsible for providing an appropriate shipping container and a health certificate signed by a USDA veterinarian. Shipping containers and packing of birds varies widely from species to species. The International Air Transport Association publishes species-specific regulations (Live Animals Regulations, 22nd Edition, effective 1 October 1995: may be obtained from IATA, 2000 Peel St., Montreal, Quebec H3A 2R4; 1-800-716-6326) for containers used in air shipment of birds. Similar containers would be appropriate for ground transport as well. Structural strength of the container must be sufficient to contain the birds and withstand the normal rigors of transport. The interior must be free of any protrusions that could cause injury. Openings should be easily accessible at all times for emergency removal of animals.
Ideally, birds should be individually isolated in separate cells within the shipping container. Individuals of the same species may be transported in the same primary enclosure, but it must be determined that frequent fighting will not occur. Each individual should have sufficient space to assume normal postures and engage in comfort and maintenance activities unimpeded by other birds. Tops of containers should be padded when excitable birds or species with delicate bone structures are to be shipped, and padding underfoot is important for species with soft feet. Space sufficient to permit flight usually is not advisable because chances of injury are increased. In addition, it may be necessary to restrain the wings of larger species, but this must be done in a manner to avoid overheating. Adequate ventilation must be provided; the inside of containers should be as dark as possible but still allow birds to find water or food and to move about. For longer journeys, water should be provided in the form of moist sponges, or apple, orange, or cucumber slices. Depending upon the species involved and the duration of travel, food may be scattered within the container. This practice should be avoided if it is likely to foul plumage or permit the growth of fungi, [see VII.F,G] When transporting chicks, a protected heat source (i.e., one that can't burn the chicks) and room to move away from it should be provided.
Raptors should be shipped in closed, darkened boxes (not commercially available large pet carriers) with plenty of ventilation. The bottom and, if possible, other inner surfaces should be lined with carpet or other padding. A perch is not necessary. If the bird is provided food and water just before departure and immediately on arrival, journeys of 36 hours can be made without provisioning.
In general, animals should be shipped as soon as possible after capture. Proper arrangements should be made to ensure that birds arrive at destinations during normal working hours rather than on weekends or holidays. Coordinating date and time of capture to facilitate the timing of both shipping and arrival may be necessary.
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Wild birds may be shipped by commercial airlines. Regulations are complex and vary from carrier to carrier. Some airlines will allow birds as carry-on baggage, whereas other airlines will not ship wild birds at all. Local agents are often unfamiliar with the necessary procedures. Thus, air shipment by common carrier requires careful advance arrangements. IATA Live Animals Regulations contain all the necessary information for both domestic and international air shipment and should be consulted by anyone contemplating shipping birds by air. IATA regulations have been formally adopted by the U.S. and Canada (along with many other countries) and by CITES and the Office International des Epizooties. The manual contains chapters outlining specific governmental regulations by country, requirements of specific airlines, necessary documents and forms, lists of species protected under CITES, container requirements for all types of birds (adopted by USFWS), and detailed,
illustrated descriptions of the containers and their construction, and much more. State permits are required to possess birds both in the state in which birds originate and the state to which they are to be transported, [see II.B]
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In motor vehicles, containers of birds should be placed in a well-ventilated area, protected from direct sunlight, and visually isolated from passengers and views through windows. Long trips should be broken up by rest periods during which the birds may feed and drink uninterrupted. If possible, transport diurnally active species at night when they can be kept in darkness, will be inactive, and when ambient temperatures may be more favorable. Bocetti (1994) describes techniques for confining and transporting small insectivorous passerines and for evaluating their condition by periodic examination of feces.
Interstate ground transport requires federal and state authorization for the state of origin, destination, and states traversed in passage as well as an animal health certificate. Information concerning regulations is available by telephone or World Wide Web. [see A]
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Guidelines for holding wild birds for short periods of time (less than 30 days) will be similar to those outlined under Housing and Captive Breeding [see VII]. Inspections of the shipment should be made upon arrival. Injured or visibly sick birds should be isolated and treated immediately, and dead birds should be necropsied and a veterinarian consulted. Birds should be marked for individual recognition and examined carefully for external parasites or signs of illness. Procedures for initial examination are outlined in Laboratory Animal Management: Wild Birds (National Research Council 1977) and texts on avian medicine. [see IX, A]
Recently captured birds may experience difficulty in adjusting to conditions of captivity. The potential problems will be highly species-specific, and investigators will have to rely on good judgment and the experience of those who have handled the taxa in question. Frequent and careful observation of birds during the adjustment period is necessary to ensure acclimation. When birds are individually housed in small box cages, covering the cage with cloth or newspaper often reduces thrashing and escape attempts that can result in injury. Because hard-sided cages increase the risk of injury from wall-strikes, consideration should be given to the use of soft-sided (net) cages where these are practical. However, net cages may pose cleaning problems. Consideration should be given to the mesh size or distance between bars of small cages. Many species of small birds injure themselves by repeatedly poking their beaks and heads through cage mesh in attempts to escape. Food and water should be conspicuous and widely scattered to facilitate their discovery by the birds. Birds introduced into social situations should be watched carefully for adverse effects of aggression. Great intraspecific variability is to be expected. Aggression can often be minimized by providing food, water, and hiding places at several locations in the aviary.
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