Photo by Dave Location: Springfield, MA Road trippin': 7 birds; 3 macaws, 3 cockatoos & an African Grey

Our fancy-shmancy bird trailer had bent axels that needed to be repaired so we had to ditch it in one city for two weeks and survive without it. Boy can I tell you right now... it sucked.   Traveling with parrots is no big deal when you have a trailer completely equipped for them... but traveling with parrots when you don't have that really is not so glamorous. And since Dave is allergic to birds (yeah, ha, didn't know that?). I got to travel with all SEVEN parrots in the front of my truck with me. Dave took the cat, and our military macaw Crash because I couldn't fit another cage in mine.   However, I did learn a few tips and tricks along the way of this 8 hour ride to Erie, PA with my flock. 

Photo by Jamieleigh Location: On the way to Erie, PA Shown: African Grey "Cressi" & Galah "Bondi"

On a budget? We all are. Who needs to pay for newspaper when you can get your hands on FREE paper?! Yes, that's right. Okay, so we ran out of newspaper because normally we have a huge stack in our trailer but alas, no trailer, no newspaper and I had to change cages because, well, you own parrots, you know how quick they tear stuff up!

Turns out at gas stations there's lots of free paper and I found a huge roll. (I'm not rude enough to take it with me, although I wanted to) I just took what I needed to change cages and left the rest but what a great way to do it!

If your gas station isn't cool enough to have that, it probably has enough paper towels for your one bird vs my seven...

Other things that came in handy along the way? Having something to feed them so they never felt the need to ask for anything. I also keep water bottles (like you'd use for rabbits or other small mammals) handy so I can give them water without making a mess or having to pull over. I can reach over with one arm and offer it while still driving (okay, not recommended but still, just saying...)

Music also helped, and rolling down the windows every time we stopped so they (and I) could get some fresh, fresh air after all that dander-breathing. 

Photo by Jamieleigh Location: On the road to Erie, PA Shown: African Grey "Cressi" & Galah "Bondi"

My only regret? Not having any toys for them to play with. Can you believe how well behaved they were for 8 straight hours without any sort of toy in any of their cages? Again, a big box is sitting in our bird trailer for JUST that purpose...!

Article by Jamieleigh Womach. She has been working with parrots and toucans since the age of 17. She isn’t homeless but is home less than she prefers to be. She travels the world with her husband, daughter, and a flockful of parrots whom she shares the stage with.