[sailorgal]

Hi Greenman
I noticed your eclectus avatar a while ago and was wondering if that was your bird. My mom has a male grand eclectus. She had a pair, but the female died many years ago. The male is around 30 years old now and is the most gentle bird.

Thanks for the information about cruising with birds. I had also heard that the main hang up was coming back to the U.S. I was planning to have my bird, Lola, micro-chipped, although the thought of it makes me nervous. Luckily, we are in florida and when we set out for the bahamas and Caribbean, we will be near Miami and/or Ft. Lauderdale so I can get the paperwork taken care of. I'll be sure to get all of the latest procedures, etc. from the proper authorities well in advance. I also realize than when coming back to the U.S., the bird must be quarantined for 30 days. Luckily this can be done on the boat. We may never want to come back anyway!

Obviously, Lola, will never leave the boat when we are traveling. We'll be cruising on a motor vessel with a covered "sundeck" that we are going to have fully enclosed with screened curtains. We bring Lola's cage up from the saloon to the sundeck on nice days. She is definitely part of our "family."

I think that other than all the paperwork required by the U.S., it's more difficult travelling with a dog because they really do have to go onshore!

Thanks for all the information.