September 28, 2026 · Guides

Moving or Traveling With an African Grey Parrot: What Owners Need to Know

Because African greys are long-lived and CITES-listed, moving with one isn’t quite as simple as moving with a cat or dog. Here’s what to plan for.

Moving within the same country

A carrier the bird is already comfortable with matters more than almost anything else — introduce it well before moving day, not the morning of. Keep the bird’s usual food on hand rather than switching brands during a stressful transition, and expect a period of altered behavior (quietness, mild feather chewing, appetite changes) as it adjusts, which usually settles within a few weeks in a stable new home.

Crossing an international border

This is where owners get caught out. Because Congo and Timneh African greys are both CITES Appendix I species, moving one across an international border, even as a long-owned pet, can require CITES permits and health certification on both the exporting and importing side. Requirements differ by country and can take months to arrange. This is separate from, and in addition to, the rules around buying a bird in the first place — see our guide on legal ownership across the US, Canada and UK.

Air travel

Airline policies on live birds vary widely and change often; some carriers don’t accept them at all. Confirm directly with the airline well in advance, and never assume a booking agent’s general pet policy applies the same way to a parrot.

The simplest rule

If a move is even possibly international, start the permit research months ahead, not weeks. A domestic move mostly comes down to keeping the bird’s routine as stable as you can.