Yes — most parrot species commonly kept as pets are legal to own in Hawaiʻi. This includes African Greys, Amazons, Macaws, Cockatoos, Cockatiels, Conures, Eclectus, Pionus, Poicephalus, Lovebirds, Budgerigars, and many others. Hawaiʻi does not have a blanket restriction on parrot ownership.

However, a small number of species are prohibited, and importing any bird into Hawaiʻi requires specific permits and documentation regardless of species. If you are buying a bird locally from a breeder or rescue already in Hawaiʻi, the import rules do not apply to you.

The most relevant prohibited species for parrot owners are:

• Lorikeets and lories (all species) — completely prohibited in Hawaiʻi. They cannot be owned, imported, or kept under any permit. This includes Rainbow Lorikeets, which are popular pets elsewhere. HFFN will never facilitate placement of a lorikeet in Hawaiʻi.
• Quaker Parakeets (Monk Parakeets) — prohibited in Hawaiʻi due to the risk of establishing invasive feral colonies.

Beyond parrots, Hawaiʻi prohibits a range of exotic animals not relevant here. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture maintains the official restricted species list.

Yes, but it requires planning, paperwork, and a pre-departure vet visit. Hawaiʻi has some of the most stringent bird importation requirements in the United States due to the state’s unique ecosystem and disease-free status for certain agricultural pests.

The general requirements for importing a pet parrot into Hawaiʻi include:

• An import permit from the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (apply well in advance)
• A health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within a specified period before travel
• The bird must be isolated for a period immediately before departure — the vet performing the health certificate typically handles this
• The bird must be transported in a mosquito-proof container
• Entry must be through Honolulu International Airport (Daniel K. Inouye International Airport) — you cannot enter Hawaiʻi with a bird through a neighbor island airport on an international flight

This depends heavily on the species. Most parrot species can be transported between Hawaiian islands via interisland airlines, typically with a health certificate from an accredited veterinarian.

Indian Ring-necked Parakeets (IRN) are a significant exception. IRNs are legal to own on the island where they already reside, but they cannot be legally transported between Hawaiian islands due to their recognized potential as an invasive species. This means an IRN on Oʻahu must stay on Oʻahu. HFFN will not facilitate inter-island transport of Indian Ring-necked Parakeets.

Taking a bird from Hawaiʻi to the mainland is generally straightforward — most airlines that accept pet birds in cabin or cargo will do so with a health certificate. The challenge is returning to Hawaiʻi.

When you return, your bird is subject to Hawaiʻi’s full import requirements as if entering for the first time. This means the import permit, health certificate, pre-departure isolation period, and mosquito-proof carrier all apply. People who travel frequently with birds between Hawaiʻi and the mainland should plan this carefully and maintain an active import permit.

Yes — as of 2025, Alaska Airlines updated its pet-in-cabin policy to allow pet birds on flights to and from Hawaiʻi, which was a significant win for island bird owners. HFFN member David Deutsch was instrumental in advocating for this change.

Policies vary by airline and are subject to change. Always confirm directly with your airline before booking. Key things to verify:

• Whether the airline accepts birds in cabin on Hawaii routes
• Carrier size requirements (must fit under the seat)
• Required documentation (health certificate, proof of ownership)
• Per-flight fees
• Whether your specific species is accepted

Our adoption process is relationship-based — we take time to understand your household, experience level, and lifestyle before suggesting a match, and we never rush a placement. The steps are:

1. Browse our Adoptable Birds page to see who is currently available
2. Download and complete an Adoption Application
3. A board member will contact you to discuss your application and talk through potential matches
4. A home inspection is conducted — on Oʻahu by an HFFN inspector, on neighbor islands by a designated local representative
5. We arrange one or more meet-and-greet sessions between you and the bird
6. If the match is confirmed, we complete an adoption contract and transfer the bird’s care records

HFFN remains a resource to adopters for the life of the bird. We do not disappear after placement.

HFFN does not charge a standard adoption fee. We ask that adopters be prepared for the ongoing costs of bird ownership — avian veterinary care, quality diet, enrichment, and appropriate housing — which are substantial over a bird’s lifetime. Some placements may involve a requested donation to help offset the bird’s care costs while in our network, which is discussed on a case-by-case basis.

Yes. HFFN serves all Hawaiian Islands. For neighbor island applicants, we arrange home inspections through designated local representatives on each island. Transport of the bird between islands is handled on a case-by-case basis depending on species, the bird’s temperament, and applicable regulations.

Note that some species cannot be transported between islands — most notably Indian Ring-necked Parakeets. For those birds, placement is limited to the island where they currently reside.

Yes, provided your landlord gives written permission for you to keep a parrot on the premises. This is a required part of the adoption application process. We provide a Landlord Permission Form that your landlord can sign and you can return with your application. We ask for this not to create barriers, but because a landlord-related eviction is one of the most common reasons birds are surrendered — and we want to prevent that outcome before it happens.

Contact us. Our adoption contract asks that if you can no longer care for a bird placed through HFFN, you give HFFN the first opportunity to take the bird back into our network rather than surrendering it to another organization or rehoming it independently. We handle these situations without judgment — life changes, and what matters most to us is the bird’s welfare.

Please contact HFFN before making any other decision. We can help you think through your options, which may include:

• Surrender to HFFN — we take the bird into our network and find it a carefully vetted home
• Owner-assisted rehoming — we help you find and vet a new owner yourself, with HFFN’s support and screening
• Temporary foster — if your situation is temporary (medical, housing, travel), we may be able to arrange short-term fostering while you get back on your feet
• Sanctuary placement — for birds that are not good adoption candidates, we can connect you with appropriate sanctuary options

We never judge the reasons someone needs to rehome a bird. What matters is finding the right outcome for the animal.

HFFN works with parrots and psittacine birds of all species. We cannot guarantee immediate intake — our capacity depends on available foster homes at any given time — but we will always work with you to find a path forward. We do not turn birds away without offering alternatives.

We cannot accept birds that are prohibited species in Hawaiʻi (such as lorikeets). For those birds, we can help connect you with resources outside the state.

The first step is to contact us or download and complete a Surrender Form from our downloads page. The form covers the bird’s species, age, health history, temperament, diet, and your timeline. Submitting a form begins a conversation — it is not an automatic acceptance, but we will respond and work through next steps with you.

If you are in an urgent situation — a sudden move, a medical emergency, a housing crisis — call us directly at (808) 294-7382 and we will prioritize your situation.

First, try to secure the bird safely if possible — a frightened escaped bird is at risk outdoors. Then:

• Post in local Facebook groups — “Lost and Found Birds Hawaiʻi” and your neighborhood groups are a good start
• Contact HFFN — we can help identify the species, share the bird’s information with our network, and connect you with the owner if they reach out to us
• Report the found bird to the Hawaiian Humane Society’s online database
• Put up flyers near where the bird was found — many escaped birds are recovered within a few blocks of home

Act immediately — the first 24 hours are the most important.

• Go outside and call your bird by name — escaped birds often stay close and will respond to familiar voices. Go out at dawn and dusk especially, when birds are most vocal.
• Put the cage outside with familiar food — the sights, smells, and sounds of home can draw a bird back
• Post on Facebook immediately — “Hawaii Parrot & Bird Lost and Found List”
• “Hawaii Parrot Forum”
• H
• Contact HFFN — we will share your bird’s information with our network across the islands
• Call the Hawaiian Humane Society — and go in person and ask to visually check the animals.
• Put up flyers within a 3 block radius — include a photo, the species, your contact information, and the date and location it went missing

The Hawaiian Feathered Friends Network is Hawaiʻi’s premier parrot club and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We were founded in 2013 and are dedicated to parrot education, rescue, rehoming, and community support across all of the Hawaiian Islands.

Anyone who loves birds is welcome to join — you do not need to own a parrot to be a member. We welcome bird owners, people considering getting a bird, avian professionals, and anyone who cares about the welfare of parrots in Hawaiʻi.

HFFN membership connects you with Hawaiʻi’s parrot community. Benefits include:

• Invitations to monthly meetings on Oʻahu (open to members and guests)
• Access to HFFN’s network of experienced bird keepers, breeders, and avian professionals
• First notification of birds available for adoption through our network
• Support from HFFN’s board and community when you need advice on care, behavior, or veterinary questions
• Connection to our AFA State Coordinator role — HFFN represents Hawaiʻi in the American Federation of Aviculture

You can join online using our membership form, or download a Membership Application from our downloads page. Membership fees are kept affordable to ensure the community is accessible to everyone. Current fee information is on the membership form.

If cost is a barrier, contact us — we offer a donate-for-membership option for community supporters.

Absolutely. HFFN serves the entire state, not just Oʻahu. Neighbor island members are full members with access to all resources, our online community, and HFFN’s network. Monthly meetings are held on Oʻahu at Moanalua Park, but many neighbor island members participate through our social media channels and connect with HFFN when visiting Oʻahu.

HFFN holds monthly meetings at Moanalua Park on Oʻahu. Meetings are typically held on the third Sunday of each month, though the date occasionally shifts to avoid holidays. Check our Events Calendar or our Facebook page for the current month’s meeting date and time. Meetings are open to members and their guests — you do not need to be a member to attend your first meeting.

No. Mango wood is not safe for parrots and should never be offered to birds in any form — not as perches, toys, branches, or chew items. Mango contains urushiol, the same compound found in poison ivy, which is toxic to birds. This is one of the most common mistakes made by bird owners in Hawaiʻi, where mango trees are abundant and the wood is easy to come by.

Safe local wood alternatives include monkeypod (samanea saman), guava, and java wood. When collecting branches from any local tree, always confirm the species is bird-safe and that it has not been treated with pesticides or herbicides. When in doubt, purchase natural wood perches from a reputable bird supply vendor.

HFFN’s primary veterinary partner is Feather and Fur Animal Hospital in Kailua, Oʻahu. We work closely with Dr. Walsh for birds in our rescue network and can provide a referral letter for birds in our care.

For a broader list of avian-knowledgeable veterinarians across the islands, see our Veterinary Directory. If you are new to the island or struggling to find an avian vet in your area, contact HFFN — we maintain relationships with avian care providers across the state and can help point you in the right direction.

Yes — always, without exception, if you have other birds in the household. HFFN’s minimum quarantine standard is four months with completely separate airspace. This means the new bird is in a different room with no shared air circulation, not just a different cage in the same room.

Many serious avian diseases are airborne and can be transmitted before a bird shows any visible symptoms. A bird that appears perfectly healthy can be incubating psittacosis, PBFD, or other conditions that would devastate an existing flock. Four months is the minimum because some diseases have long incubation periods. This standard is non-negotiable for HFFN fosters and adopters with existing birds.

Even if you have no other birds, a new bird should be seen by an avian vet and have bloodwork done within the first few weeks of arriving in your home.

Emergency preparedness is especially important for bird owners because most emergency shelters do not accept pets, and birds require specific care that is difficult to provide in a crisis. HFFN recommends:

• Have a go bag ready for your bird at all times — a travel carrier they are accustomed to, several days of food, medications, water, and comfort items
• Know where you will go with your bird if you must evacuate — identify a pet-friendly hotel, a friend’s home, or a boarding arrangement in advance
• Keep records current and accessible — vaccination history, vet contact, band or microchip number, a current photo of each bird
• Post an emergency card near your exit listing your birds and emergency contacts for first responders
• Download the Bird Emergency Card from our Downloads page — it is fillable and printable

See our full Evacuation Preparedness guide for detailed planning information.

Yes — Hawaiʻi has established feral populations of several parrot species, most notably Rose-ringed (Indian Ring-necked) Parakeets on multiple islands and Red-crowned Parrots on Oʻahu. There are also historic records of several cockatoo species associated with the former Paradise Park at Lyon Arboretum in Mānoa Valley.

Wild parrots in Hawaiʻi may not be trapped, captured, or kept without a permit. Even non-native feral populations are protected under state and federal regulations. Capturing a wild parrot without proper authorization is illegal regardless of the species. Do not attempt to capture a feral bird.

For a full overview of wild parrot species across the Hawaiian Islands, see our Wild Parrots of Hawaiʻi page.

Parrots are among the most rewarding and most demanding companion animals in the world. Before getting a parrot, be honest with yourself about the following:

• Time: Most parrots need several hours of daily interaction and mental stimulation. A parrot left alone in a cage is a parrot that suffers.
• Lifespan: Many parrot species live 20–80 years. This is a multi-decade commitment that may outlast your current living situation, relationship, and employment.
• Noise: Even “quieter” species make noise. Apartment living with a parrot requires honest assessment of your tolerance and your neighbors’.
• Cost: Avian veterinary care is specialized and expensive. A parrot that gets sick can generate thousands of dollars in vet bills.
• Mess: Parrots are messy. Feather dust, food debris, and droppings are part of daily life.
• Biting: Parrots bite. Even well-socialized birds bite sometimes. This is normal bird behavior, not a sign of a “bad” bird.

If after thinking through all of this you still want a parrot, we encourage you to adopt rather than purchase, and to choose a species matched to your experience level and lifestyle. HFFN is happy to help you think through whether a parrot is right for you — contact us anytime.

Yes. HFFN is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations to HFFN are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. We provide donation acknowledgment letters for contributions of $250 or more upon request. Please consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility of your specific contribution.

You can support HFFN’s mission on our Support HFFN page or through our Givebutter fundraising page.

HFFN and the Hawaiian Humane Society (HHS) are completely separate, independent organizations. HFFN is a parrot-specific rescue and education organization; HHS is a general animal shelter that handles all species and holds a city contract for animal control services.

HFFN does not receive city funding. We are entirely supported by membership fees, donations, and fundraising. We have no formal intake relationship with HHS — birds that come into HHS do not automatically come to us.

If you are trying to find a lost bird, we recommend reporting to both HFFN and HHS, and going to HHS in person to visually see for yourself if your bird is there or not.

We welcome volunteers who want to help with rescue transport, fostering, event support, social media, outreach, and more. To get started:

1. Read the Volunteer Policy from our downloads page
2. Complete and return a Volunteer Agreement
3. Attend a monthly meeting to connect with the board and existing volunteers

The most immediately impactful way to volunteer is to become a foster family for a bird in our network. Fosters provide temporary home care while we search for a permanent placement — and every foster spot we have means one more bird we can help. Download a Foster Application to get started.

We are happy to help. You can reach us at:

• Email: hwnfeatheredfriends@gmail.com
• Phone: (808) 294-7382
• Contact form: hawaiianfeatheredfriendsnetwork.com/contact/
• Facebook: Search “Hawaiian Feathered Friends Network”

We are a volunteer-run organization, so response times may vary — but we do respond to every message.