Cockatiel and public transport

[Eric&Rebecca]

Ok so my friend has asked if we can possibly look after her cockatiel as she may be going away for work for a couple of weeks. She isn't sure yet. She said she could get to us by train in 1 hour and 10- minutes. I am concerned about this. She said she will go first class in the quiet carriage so I know it's not like she's putting the bird on a bus or a tube but is this even safe?!

We've only been on a train with a bird once for about 10 minutes and that was only out of complete necessity. It was snowing and couldn't get a taxi to the vet so had to get on overground train which was miraculously running for 10 minutes to the vets and I wouldn't ever do it again. We managed to get a lift on the way back. Although nothing bad happened I know it's not in any way ideal.

Problem is we get taxi's to the vets or get a lift from my mum when the birds stay with her so I don't know if that's ok for the bird. I am not allowed to drive and my partner doesn't have his car over here yet.

Opinions guys? I know its not my bird personally but is that even OK to put a bird on a train for 1.5 hours? (accounting for delays?)

[marie83]

I would if I was travelling with the bird at all times and the bird was used to travelling.

[Eric&Rebecca]

I don't know if he's used to travelling on trains. I will ask her.

I think this will be the first time out the house apart from the vet appointments. I guess it would be OK, I mean it's not HUGELY different from a car. There's still noises in a car, granted though there's more people.

Thanks Marie... does anyone else have any pointers or any people who have travelled on trains with their birds?

[marie83]

and thats where I would start hesitating, the fact the birds only ever been "out" for vet trips and then this long journey is forced on it.

A bird that is used to people and traveling in general should be fine with a long train trip, maybe the sound of trains speeding past and the horns may be new and may freak the bird out a little but everything else should be fine.
There are some circumstances where the bird was not in a fit state to to travel training, harlie for instance.

What I would do is:
-keep the cage/carrier covered until sat on the train
-travel at the quietest time possible
-sit away from noisy children/other pets if possible
-avoid having to change trains if possible, pay the extra to travel direct
-make getting to and from the train station as fast as possible by booking a taxi that is willing to take pets in advance.

[cml]

It should be fine, when I got Leroy, I picked him up by train, took us about 4.5 hours to get home again. Cover his transport cage, and sit in a quiet area if possible, unless you are restricted to a pet area.

I have also travelled by tram on vet trips with both birds quite a few times, with no issues. Again, cover the transport and just take it careful and you should be fine .

EDIT: Contrary to Marie's post I would opt to keep him covered all the way, but this can probably vary with the bird !

[marie83]

EDIT: Contrary to Marie's post I would opt to keep him covered all the way, but this can probably vary with the bird !

Yep sorry it does depend on the bird, I just meant it to be taken as minimum. Ollie goes nuts if he can hear stuff going on around him but cannot see, he is just far far too nosey and nothing upsets him. Harlie fares much better covered up 100% of the time.

[Pricey_boy]

My auntie took her sulfur crested cockatoo on a train and a bus which would have taken almost 2 hrs. Took him in carrier

[Eric&Rebecca]

I'm probably way too over protective LOL.

They way more resilient than you think sometimes. Thanks for all the information guys.