September 28, 2026 · Blog

African Grey Parrots for Sale in Canada: Rules, Waitlist and What to Know

We get this question a lot from Canadian parrot lovers: can you buy one of our Congo African greys and have it delivered to Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary or anywhere else in Canada? Right now, the honest answer is no — and here’s exactly why, plus what we’re doing about it.

Why we can’t ship a US-bred bird to Canada

Congo African greys (Psittacus erithacus) are listed on CITES Appendix I, the strictest tier of international wildlife trade protection. Moving a live grey across the US–Canada border — even a captive-bred, closed-ringed chick — requires CITES export and import permits on both sides, issued by the relevant wildlife authorities. That’s a different process from a domestic sale, and it isn’t something we do today. Our aviary is based in Fort Myers, Florida, and every one of our birds is sold only to buyers already living in the US.

Buying within Canada

None of this means you can’t own a Congo African grey in Canada — captive-bred birds are bought and sold within Canada all the time, subject to provincial rules that vary by province. What it means is that a cross-border purchase from a US aviary (ours included) needs CITES paperwork that most breeders, us included, aren’t set up to handle for individual pet sales. If you’re looking to buy in Canada, the safest route is a breeder based in Canada who can show you the bird in person or on video, closed rings fitted at hatch, and any provincial documentation required where you live.

Join our Canada waitlist

We’re regularly asked about a Canadian aviary location, and it’s something we’re looking into. If that happens, buyers in Canada would be able to see chicks live on video and arrange delivery the same way our US buyers do today — no import paperwork, because the bird wouldn’t be crossing a border. If you’d like to be notified if and when that changes, get in touch and let us know you’re in Canada — we’ll add you to the list.

What to check with any breeder, anywhere

• A live video call with the actual bird before any deposit or payment.
• A closed leg ring, fitted only in the first days of life.
• A DNA sexing certificate from an independent lab.
• An avian vet check, with the date and practice named.
• Clear answers about which country the bird was bred and raised in, and what paperwork (if any) a cross-border move would need.

See our current Fort Myers birds, or reach out to join our Canada waitlist.