Traveling Abroad with Your Pet Bird
Did you know that your pet bird may be a species of protected wildlife? Most exotic birds (such as parrots, cockatoos and macaws, except budgerigars and cockatiels) are protected under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the U.S. Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA), and some are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. These laws protect wildlife that is threatened by overexploitation and other factors such as habitat loss. Learn more about these laws.
You can help us conserve these species by complying with these laws to ensure that your lawful activities as a pet owner are separate and distinct from the activities that harm bird populations in the wild.
* SPECIAL ALERT: If you plan to enter the United States from Mexico, please see this important information on traveling with your pet bird.
Things to Know Before You Make Travel Plans +
How Can I Tell What Species I Have?
To determine whether these regulations apply to your pet bird, you will first need to determine its scientific name (genus and species) as wildlife protections are designated at the species level. For example, the scientific name of the monk parakeet is genus Myiopsitta, species monachus. Ask your veterinarian to help you determine what type of bird you have; you may also be able to find the scientific name online. Once you know the scientific name you can search whether your pet bird species is listed under CITES at the Species Plus website. Unless the species is listed in the table at the end of this webpage, any CITES listed species is also listed under the WBCA. You can learn whether your pet bird species is listed under the ESA at the Service’s Endangered Species Program website.
If you are unsure whether these regulations apply to you, contact the Service’s Division of Management Authority, Branch of Permits at managementauthority@fws.gov.
Crossing the United States Border with Your Pet Bird: Inspections at a Designated Port
All wildlife imported or exported from the U.S. for any purpose must be inspected by a Wildlife Inspector from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement prior to import or export (including species not listed under CITES or WBCA). Wildlife Inspectors are stationed at offices called "Designated Ports" at certain border crossings and airports to perform these inspections by appointment. Review the list of Designated Ports prior to arranging your travel plans or applying for a permit.
Once you have obtained all necessary permits and authorizations and are ready to travel, contact the Wildlife Inspector at the appropriate Port at least 72 hours in advance to make an appointment for the inspection and clearance of your pet. Complete a Declaration Form 3-177 prior to your appointment. At the appointment you will present your pet, your permits, the Declaration form 3-177, and any other required documentation for inspection. Contact a Wildlife Inspector to discuss questions about this process.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA – APHIS)
Contact USDA-APHIS to determine their quarantine and health certificate requirements for import and export. Visit their website or call the National Import Export Services (NIES) Call Center: 301-851-3300.
What Type of Permit Do I Need and How Do I Apply? +
Permit applications (Form 3-200) and any other information you may need are available from the Division of Management Authority, Branch of Permits website. Contact the Branch of Permits with questions at managementauthority@fws.gov.
There are four permit types described below. If you are unsure about what permit type applies to your pet bird or your activities, contact the Service’s Division of Management Authority, Branch of Permits at managementauthority@fws.gov .
WBCA / CITES Single Use Import Permit (3-200-46):
This permit type authorizes a single border crossing into the United States under the Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA) (and CITES for Appendix I species) and remains valid for one year. Learn more.
CITES / WBCA Single Use Export Permit (3-200-46):
This permit type authorizes a single border crossing out of the United States under CITES and also includes a re-import authorization under the Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA). The one-time CITES authorization remains valid for six months, but as long as you maintain a copy of the cleared permit the one-time WBCA re-import authorization will not expire and may be used at a later date. Learn more.
CITES / WBCA Pet Passport (3-200-64):
This permit type is for U.S. Residents and authorizes multiple border crossings out of and back into the United States under CITES and the Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA). It remains valid for three years. Learn more.
WBCA / CITES 3 Year Multiple Use Import Permit (3-200-46):
This permit type is for residents of foreign countries who have a pet passport from their home country and authorizes multiple imports under the Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA) (and CITES for Appendix I species). Learn more.
ESA Listed Species:
Additional restrictions may apply for endangered or threatened species. For details on allowable activities with species listed under the Endangered Species Act, visit the Endangered Species Program’s parrot FAQ page.
Foreign Country Requirements
Be sure to check with the countries you are traveling to for their requirements. Import or export permits may be required under CITES, and other countries also have domestic laws and quarantine requirements for the import and export of protected wildlife. Contact information for foreign country CITES Offices is available at the CITES website.
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Important Reminders +
If your pet bird was acquired outside the United States and you have resided outside the United States for 12 consecutive months, you may import a maximum of two pet birds per person, per year. To ensure that you can bring your pet bird into the United States, remember to take the following steps prior to firming up your travel plans (see above for details):
- For bird imports, obtain documented evidence that you have resided outside the United States continuously for a minimum of 1 year.
- Obtain documented evidence that each bird was acquired legally.
- Select a Designated Port for wildlife import/ export (or if not using a Designated Port, submit application form 3-200-2 to apply for a Designated Port Exception); you will report this on permit application forms and this may influence your travel plans.
- Apply for CITES permits or other authorizations from the foreign country.
- Apply for a permit from the Service’s Division of Management Authority, Branch of Permits. Instructions are on the application form. Applications must be received at least 60 days in advance of anticipated travel.
- Discuss import/ export requirements with USDA - APHIS.
- Complete a Declaration Form 3-177 and arrange a clearance inspection at a Designated Port at least 72 hours prior to your anticipated travel. At the clearance appointment, have your CITES / WBCA permit(s) validated by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Inspector. Ask for copies of cleared and validated documentation, and keep them in a permanent file. Copies of documentation will be required if you wish apply for a permit to travel with your pet in the future. Take a copy of your validated permit with you.
- Take a copy of your validated permit with you. The CITES export permit may include a WBCA reimport authorization. This copy must be presented when you re-enter the United States with your pet.
Approved Captive-Bred Species (WBCA Import Permit Exempt) +
Note: The WBCA restricts the number of pet birds individuals may import into the United States annually. However, if your bird is one of the following approved captive-bred species you do not need a WBCA permit to import your pet (CITES and ESA permit requirements still apply).
Common Name |
Alternate Common Name |
Scientific Name (Genus species subspecies) |
Former Scientific Name |
Order Falconiiformes: |
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Eurasian buzzard |
European buzzard |
Buteo buteo |
|
Order Columbiformes: |
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Rock dove |
|
Columba livia |
|
Order Psittaciformes: |
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Yellow-collared lovebird |
Masked lovebird |
Agapornis personatus |
Agapornis personata |
Rosy-faced lovebird |
Peach-faced lovebird |
Agapornis roseicollis |
|
Jandaya parakeet |
Jandaya conure |
Aratinga jandaya |
|
Mallee ringneck parrot |
|
Barnardius zonarius barnardi |
Barnardius barnardi |
Barred parakeet – blue form |
Lineolated parakeet-blue form |
Bolborhynchus lineola |
|
Barred parakeet – yellow form |
Lineolated parakeet-yellow form |
Bolborhynchus lineola |
|
Barred parakeet – white form |
Lineolated parakeet-white form |
Bolborhynchus lineola |
|
Yellow-fronted parakeet |
|
Cyanoramphus auriceps |
|
Red-fronted parakeet |
|
Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae |
|
Pacific parrotlet - lutino form |
|
Forpus coelestis |
|
Pacific parrotlet - yellow form |
|
Forpus coelestis |
|
Pacific parrotlet - blue form |
|
Forpus coelestis |
|
Pacific parrotlet -cinnamon form |
|
Forpus coelestis |
|
Budgerigar |
|
Melopsittacus undulatus |
|
Bourke’s parrot |
|
Neophema bourkii |
|
Blue-winged parrot |
|
Neophema chrysostoma |
|
Elegant parrot |
|
Neophema elegans |
|
Turquoise parrot |
|
Neophema pulchella |
|
Scarlet-chested parrot |
|
Neophema splendida |
|
Cockatiel |
|
Nymphicus hollandicus |
|
Pale-headed rosella |
|
Platycercus adscitus |
|
Crimson rosella |
Adelaidae rosella |
Platycercus elegans |
Platycercus adelaidae |
Crimson rosella |
|
Platycercus elegans |
|
Eastern rosella |
|
Platycercus eximius |
|
Western rosella |
Stanley rosella |
Platycercus icterotis |
|
Northern rosella |
|
Platycercus venustus |
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Princess parrot |
|
Polytelis alexandrae |
|
Regent parrot |
|
Polytelis anthopeplus |
|
Superb parrot |
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Polytelis swainsonii |
|
Golden-shouldered parakeet* |
|
Psephotus chrysopterygius |
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Red-rumped parakeet |
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Psephotus haematonotus |
|
Mulga parakeet |
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Psephotus varius |
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Alexandrine parakeet – blue form |
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Psittacula eupatria |
|
Alexandrine parakeet – lutino form |
|
Psittacula eupatria |
|
Rose-ringed parakeet |
Indian ringneck parakeet |
Psittacula krameri manillensis |
|
Red-capped parrot |
|
Purpureicephalus spurius |
|
Scaly-breasted lorikeet |
|
Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus |
|
Order Passeriformes: |
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Red-browed finch |
|
Aegintha temporalis |
|
Plum-headed finch |
Cherry finch |
Aidemosyne modesta |
|
Painted finch |
|
Emblema pictum |
Emblema picta |
Gouldian finch |
|
Erythrura gouldiae |
Chloebia gouldiae |
Pictorella finch |
|
Heteromunia pectoralis |
Lonchura pectoralis |
Chestnut-breasted manikin |
Chestnut-breasted finch |
Lonchura castaneothorax |
|
Society finch |
Bengalese finch |
Lonchura domestica |
|
Star finch |
|
Neochmia ruficauda |
|
Long-tailed finch |
Long-tailed grassfinch |
Poephila acuticauda |
|
Black-throated finch |
Parson finch |
Poephila cincta cincta |
Poephila cincta |
Masked finch |
|
Poephila personata |
|
Island canary |
Common canary |
Serinus canaria |
|
Diamond firetail |
Diamond sparrow |
Stagonopleura guttata |
Emblema guttata |
Double-barred finch |
|
Taeniopygia bichenovii |
Poephila bichenovii |
Zebra finch |
|
Taeniopygia guttata |
Poephila guttata |
*ESA listed
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Permit applications (Form Series 3-200) and any other information you may need are available from the Division of Management Authority, Branch of Permits website. Contact the Branch of Permits with questions at managementauthority@fws.gov.