From: "Sandee Molenda" To: Sent: Friday, May 05, 2000 9:02 AM Subject: Shipping Birds through the US Mail It seems that recently some people tried to ship parrotlets through the US mail. The birds made it to their destination BUT the post master was called when it was discovered the birds were not legal (only poultry and game birds are allowed to be shipped via overnight mail in the US). Receiving a stern lecture and having the fear of God put in the person receiving the birds was apparently not enough. U.S. Fish and Wildlife were called and confiscated the birds suspecting them of being smuggled. Fortunately, the birds are closed banded and the paperwork proved they were domestically raised birds. It is believed the birds will be returned to the buyer soon. This should be a lesson to everyone who thinks they can save a few bucks by shipping birds through the post office. I know the postal authorities have recently sent out an alert to ALL the post offices in the nation advising them that shipping exotic birds through the mail is illegal and they are starting to crack down. Also, it is very possible that your birds will be confiscated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife and YOU will have to PROVE the birds are domestically bred. Don't let this happen to your birds. Happy parrotleting, Sandee Robert & Sandee Molenda - Certified Avian Specialists http://www.parrotletranch.com -- The Parrotlet Ranch http://www.parrotletranch.com/ips -- The International Parrotlet Society A followup message confirmed U.S. Postal Regulations http://pe.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm/c022.pdf Note that section 3.5 specifically prohibits canaries.