Because the USPS is the most common one we hear people trying to use to ship birds, we are going to
Although some (less than ethical our opinion) breeders will try to use the United States Postal Service to ship parrots, including budgies, they will not knowingly ship any kind of parrot. Here are the direct requirements for shipping birds from their site, as well as some additional things to think about if you are still considering trying to using them even after reading their requirements:
525 Nonmailable Live Animals
"Nonmailable types of animals discovered in the mailstream must be reported to the PCSC in accordance with the instructions in POM 139.118. Additionally, the mailer and the Post Office of mailing must be notified to prevent future shipments from being incorrectly accepted for mailing."
525.1 Live Birds
"Day-old poultry vaccinated with Newcastle disease (live virus) is nonmailable. Day-old birds, except those specifically permitted under 526.3 are nonmailable."
Animals, including birds which they will knowing ship are listed on their site below:
526 Mailable Live Animals
"526.1 General
Some animals are mailable under proper conditions. See the specific instructions as noted for the following kinds of animals:
Live bees, 526.2 and Exhibit 526.21.
Live, day–old poultry, 526.3 and Exhibit 526.33.
Live adult fowl, 526.4.
Live scorpions (only under limited circumstances), 526.5 and Exhibit 526.5.
Other small, harmless, cold–blooded animals, 526.6 and Exhibit 526.6."
In addition to not accepting parrots for shipping, they also require that there is no food or water included in the shipping container. What would happen if the shipment was delayed for some reason with such a delicate bird as a budgie?
"Adult birds must be properly packaged and able to sustain shipment without food or water because liquids, moisture, and loose foodstuffs can cause damage to the shipping container, other mail, and Postal Service equipment during transport."
All birds are prohibited with regards to ship with UPS. Here is a direct quote from their website:
Prohibited Live Animals
Live Animals that are prohibited from being shipped and are not accepted for transportation include, but are not limited to:
- Any poisonous, venomous or threatening animal
- Any Threatened or Endangered species
- Arachnids (All): Examples: mites, scorpions, spiders, ticks
- Birds (All)
- Crocodiles (All): Examples: alligators, caimans, gavials
- Mammals (All)
- Obnoxious Insects: Examples: flies, locusts, mosquitoes, roaches, termites, weevils
- Snakes (All): venomous and non-venomous
Live Animals
FedEx does not accept live animal shipments as part of its regularly scheduled service. Live animals will be accepted when the shipment is coordinated and approved by the FedEx Live Animal Desk. Acceptable shipments include, but are not limited to, zoo animals (to and from zoo locations only) and horses (from gateway to gateway locations only). Household pets, such as domestic cats and dogs, and live fish are not accepted. For more information, contact the FedEx Live Animal Desk at 1.800.405.9052.