Aussie Finch Forum

Gday all. Can some one give me some advice regarding the air freight of birds (small parrots & finches) out of Adelaide? I've been keeping birds for nearly 30 years, but have never really felt a need to freight birds interstate. Let's say I have a pair of Crimson finches to be sent to Melbourne, what are the steps that I must take in terms of permits, bookings, payments, carry boxes etc? just thought I would ask the question. thankyou.

Hi mr.fox

The steps I take when I air freight birds are:

1. Build or buy a transport box.

2. Weigh and measure the box with the birds inside as well as seed on the floor and water in a secured drinker.

3. Ring up Australian Air Express, check flight availability and get a quote. Book a direct flight only. Book a day that is good for you to drive to the Adelaide airport and a day that is good for whoever is picking the birds up from Melbourne Airport.

4. Drop the birds off at Australian Air Express. There is always an extra 10% charge on the day.

Not sure if you need any special permits for crimson finches, I breed canaries.

Good luck

Also with AAE they charge by size and weight of the box.Where as Virgin are weight only.Keep the box small but big enough for what you want to freight.

I freighted birds away today and used Toll/Virgin for the first time and by the ease of everything and politeness of their staff,i will never use AAE (which is now Quantas Freight) again as there is too much stuffing around and sometimes the staff are just plain rude.
With Toll,you check out their flights (Virgin) on the net and turn up 2hrs before the chosen flight leaves. Craig

Have a yarn to a company called DOGTAINERS 08 8356 7951

Used to be much cheaper than AAE, particularly for larger parrots, and probably for finches . . . and use same facilities, airlines etc as AAE



Let us know how you get on . . airfreight on bird shipments is getting ridiculous

Craig . .

You are braver than I am, sending birds on the weekend . .

Gee I've had some trouble . . both sending and receiving

Dont you need a account now with Toll ? Or have to go through like Arthur said another company that has a account ?

gomer wrote:Dont you need a account now with Toll ? Or have to go through like Arthur said another company that has a account ?

arthur wrote:Craig . .

You are braver than I am, sending birds on the weekend . .

Gee I've had some trouble . . both sending and receiving

That maybe true gomer but the receiver gave me his account number to use but i did ask ask about it and they said i need an ABN for an account or just turn up at least 2hrs before a flight and pay cash.

It wasn't my call Aurther as this guy knows the Toll operator at his airport,he actually drops the birds to his house when they arrive.
The worrying thing for me was, it wasn't a direct flight and had to be transferred to a smaller plane to get to his destination. Anyhow.it all happened and he's a happy chappy. Craig

I think if you had a account they toll would be better.If i send local MtGambier I have no choice but Aae.

I have just had a bird arrive from Brisbane to Albury the estimated cost on Air Express on an account is around $70
I normally freight out of Albury using Dogtainers as they are better and cheaper than Air Express yet A/E (Qantas) still sends them.
Yet Dogtainers Brisbane quoted $170 from memory as they have a minimum charge so be a little careful.
A/E are unlikely to allow birds to be sent over the weekend only during the working week.