Importing your captive-bred companion bird to Belize

It may be possible to import your companion bird. Regulations may change, so please obtain up to date information from the relevant Government departments

1. Belize Animal Health Authority (BAHA)

2. Belize Forest Department (FD)

Generally the requirements are

Full CITES certificate
Identification method (e.g. leg band)
All necessary veterinary paperwork at the export point
BAHA permits issued and in date in Belize
Forest Dept permits issued and in date in Belize
A Belize BAHA vet standing by to check the bird on entry (prearranged with min. 72hrs notice)
A way to quarantine the bird for at least 4 weeks at your home

Airlines

Ensure you have the correct pet carrier for the airline before you travel: we recommend a ‘dry run’ well before your travel date
Be aware that airlines may postpone your flight at any time: weather conditions and temperatures have to fall within a very narrow range before live cargo will be transported. This may have implications with your permit and vet certificate expiry dates.

We would also highly recommend

Having your pet chipped before you travel (Animal Medical Centre in Belize City have a chip reader)
Setting aside adequate funds to repatriate your bird should you need to return to your home country

What Belize has to offer an exotic companion bird

Reimers Feedmill (branches throughout the country) stock Mazuri Parrot Maintence, several seed-based commercial hook-bill mixes, imported sunflower seeds, local fresh peanuts
Supermarkets stock 1lb and 5lb bags of imported whole, shelled almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans and at certain times of the year you can get them with shells on. There are local cashews most of the year round
Fresh fruit and veg are everywhere
Periodic local wild fruits such as craboo, kinep, tamarind, various ‘apples’ and ‘plums’. All of this can grow easily in your own garden
You can buy whole-grain rice and whole-wheat pasta
We would recommend you bring any special vitamins or particular favourite pellet to last while you figure out how to get items mailed to you
Toys: you will need to make your own from limited craft supplies, natural foods and forest products
Caging: we would recommend you build your own aviary. There is no shortage of space in Belize and the birds love the environment (contact us if you would like more information on suitable (and not suitable!) materials
Perches and fresh leaves are everywhere
You can get galvanized wire of good quality, galvanized steel (square and round) tubing, cage clips and pliers, timber, hardware such as latches and hinges, and gravel for flooring if necessary
We do not recommend importing a cage unless your bird cannot exist without it: it’s expensive to ship and customs will charge a lot of duty

BBR will be happy to show you around and demonstrate various designs of enclosure and methods of building when you arrive

Veterinary care

Dr Philip Deshield of Animal Medical Centre in Belize City is our vet of choice for avian medicine.
Be proactive with preventative measures: protect your bird from the many predatory threats; closely monitor their weight, poop, demeanour and feather condition; particularly protect old-world species from exposure to wild birds such as grackles & jays and also opossums and cockroaches: between them they are the vector and carrier for an aggressive parasite that only effects old-world birds (Amazons, except for conures, are apparently immune)
BBR has had experience with infection, disease, and parasites in parrots over the years: please contact us if you need advice for referral to the appropriate clinic.

Finally

Please do not decide to re-home your pet before you come to Belize because you believe you can just buy or adopt one here. It is highly illegal to capture, buy, or own a parrot without a licence and there is no mechanism for adoption or fostering.