Also see: Pet Birds from the United States
For import purposes, the expression pet bird means a personally owned and cared for bird, and applies only to species commonly known as caged birds such as psittacines (birds in the parrot family), song birds, toucans, canaries, finches, cardinals, etc. The expression does not apply to pigeons, doves, species of wild or domesticated fowl, or game birds.
An import permit issued by the CFIA Area Office must accompany the bird(s). Before issuance can be considered, you must:
1. Contact the appropriate Import Officer, request an application form, complete the form, and forward it to the regional office with an originally signed declaration of the following:
Note: In the case of the importation of a bird less than three (3) days old, you must declare that you have been in possession of the mother and father for the 90 days preceding the birth of the imported bird and that both the bird's parents have the same health status. If you cannot meet these conditions, the importation of the birds less than three (3) days old is prohibited.
2. Arrange for the inspection and approval of your proposed Canadian premises for the quarantine of the birds. To arrange for the inspection of your premises, you should contact the CFIA Area Import Office in the province into which you are going to reside.
Upon receipt of the above information and a report approving your premises for the quarantine of the birds, the office will be in a position to consider issuance of the import permit.
The essential conditions under which such birds are permitted to enter Canada are:
It is the importer's responsibility to determine whether the species for importation is subject to the controls imposed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which are administered by the Canadian Wildlife Service. Please contact the Canadian Wildlife Service for information.