Hello,
I have a pet cockatiel of 13 years. I really don't want to put him up for adoption when I move over the UK. I've seen a lot on dogs/cats - though are there any specific regulations / restrictions I should be made aware of for birds? Is it even... possible?
Thanks 
Replying here because I figured posts about moving birds is so rare it might be wise to keep it all in one place.
I think that it is possible to move over with a pet bird. It looks complex, but do-able. And from what I can tell for a pet bird, accompanied by the owner on the flight they shouldn't need to be quarantined. But I haven't looked into it fully, I've just been looking over it to figure out what we might need to do when we move over in a few years.
Here is some information about importing birds from Defra's website.
http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/animaltrade/imports/iins/birds/a10.htmThere is an address, email and phone number for further inquires. I will be calling them a little closer to the time to get questions regarding quarantine, etc answered.
Here is the text for the website, in case the link doesn't work anymore.
Animal imports and exports
Imports
* Trade between EU states
* Imports into the European Union
* Imports policy
* Veterinary checks
* Border Inspection Posts
* Importer Information Notes
* General licences
* Official veterinary surgeons notes
* Imports for research & education
* Contacts
ARCHIVE: Importer Information Note for importation of captive birds from Third Countries (countries outside the EU) into England (IIN A/10)
Contents
* Important
* Introduction
* Approved Third Countries
* Pre-export testing
* Health certification
* Identification & container for travel
* Quarantine
* Endangered species
* Contact for further information
* Caution
Important
* These notes explain the conditions which apply to imports of captive birds from Third Countries (countries outside the EU) into England.
* These notes should be read in conjunction with the notes describing the veterinary checks applicable to all live animals imported into England (Importer Information Note IIN A/1).
* These notes are for guidance only. They do not give comprehensive coverage of all conditions laid down in EU and national legislation and have no legal force. Importers must satisfy themselves that captive birds are imported in accordance with all the relevant legislation. The authoritative legal position can be found in the appropriate national legislation and European Community Directives and Decisions.
* Personal data may be stored and processed by Defra on computer systems. Defra complies with the standards set by the Data Protection Act.
* NB: These notes may not cover situations where emergency safeguard action has been taken, e.g. to prohibit the importation of certain animals from certain countries following an outbreak of serious disease in those countries. Importers are advised to contact the Department to check if any safeguard action has been taken in relation to the animals/country of origin. Further information can be found on our Customer Information Notes (CIN) and Declarations webpages.
Introduction
The import rules for importing certain birds into the EU Community are laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No. 318/2007, which came into force on 1 July 2007. The regulation applies to all birds apart from the following exemptions:
* Birds of the “poultry” species (as defined in Council Directive 2009/158/EC). (For guidance on importing live poultry from Third Countries please see Importer Information Note IIN A/7);
* Birds intended for approved conservation programmes;
* “Pet birds”. (For guidance on importing pet birds please see the relevant Importer Information Notes)
* Birds intended for zoos, circuses, amusement parks or experiments;
* Birds destined for bodies, institutes or centres approved according to Article 13 of Balai directive 92/65/EEC (as amended); and
* Birds imported from Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, and the Vatican City state
There are separate conditions for AI vaccinated captive birds and queries on these imports should be directed to the Imports Team at the Chelmsford Animal Health Office (see contacts below).
Approved Third Countries
In line with the rules laid down in Community law, captive birds may only be imported into the England from approved Third Countries.
As specified in Annex I of Council Regulation 318/2007 captive birds may only be imported from countries which are currently approved for imports of breeding or productive poultry, other than ratites. These approved countries are listed in Part I of Annex I of Commission Regulation 2008/798. Member States are not permitted to allow imports from any Third Country which does not appear on the approved list.
Pre-export testing
All captive birds imported from Third Countries must be subjected to a laboratory virus detection test 7 to 14 days prior to export with negative results for any avian influenza or Newcastle disease virus.
Health certification
All captive birds imported into the Community must be accompanied by an original, valid health certificate in accordance with the model laid down in Annex III of Council Regulation (EC) No. 318/2007.
Identification & container for travel
All birds must be identified with an individual identification number by means of a uniquely marked seamlessly closed leg-ring or a microchip in accordance with Article 66(2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 865/2006.
ID numbers of leg-rings or microchips must bear at least the ISO code of the exporting Third Country performing the identification and a unique serial number. The ID number must be registered on the accompanying health certificate (see above) as well as on the outside of the container that the birds are being transported in.
All birds must be transported in new containers which must bear the unique ID number that corresponds with the ID number provided for on the accompanying health certificate.
Quarantine
Captive birds imported into England from an approved Third Country must complete a minimum of 30 days quarantine in an approved quarantine facility or centre. Imported birds shall be transported directly from the Border Inspection Post (BIP) of entry in England to an approved quarantine facility or centre, a list of which can be found in Annex V to Council Regulation 318/2007.
During the quarantine period an official veterinarian will inspect the quarantined birds at the beginning and end of the quarantine period and further inspections may be carried out if the official veterinarian feels it necessary due to the current disease situation. All quarantine and inspection costs will be met by the importer.
Endangered species
Birds listed as endangered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) require a CITES permit. For information and permits, importers must apply to:
Defra
Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol
BS1 6EB
Tel: 0117 372 8168
Contact for further information
For information on imports of birds and their products please contact:
Import Team
Animal Health Divisional Office
Beeches Road
Chelmsford
Essex CM1 2RU
Tel no. 01245 358383
Fax no. 01245 351162
