New here! Merlin the B&G

MagicalMerlin

New member
Jul 9, 2016
32
2
North Carolina
Parrots
Merlin-B&G
Hello! My name is Morgan and my new B&G is Merlin, if you couldn't already gather that!
I've been reading and enjoying the forum since last weekend. Everyone seems so nice and helpful, its really refreshing for a forum!

We got Merlin on July 5th, so hes been with us for less than a week. So far everything is going well, with just some minor issues popping up in the last day or so.

A little about him, as much as I know really. I was told he is 8 years old, and a male, but I haven't had him DNA tested and they say age is nearly impossible to tell when they mature. He came from a pet store, it was more of a rescue situation than a "buying for a pet situation". His cage was filthy, covered in dry feces. At one point, the reason we actually got him, was because there were 4 RODENTS(1 gerbil and 3 field mice) in his cage on night when we walked passed to look at him. Unbelievable.

Pretty much everything I was told about him, has turned out to be untrue. Unless, hes just way more comfortable here than he was at the pet store, which could be true.

On day 3 he stepped up for me. He got down off his cage, got onto my bed with me, got onto my lap and I asked him if he would step up, he handed me a foot.
Deep down I feel like at one time in his life, he was a loved bird. He was trained to do things, like step up. He knows WAY more words and phrases than I was told he knew. Then something happened, like it usually does, and he ended up in a pretty gross pet store. But he's home now, forever! We love him so much already, its crazy.

He is my first bird, I never thought I was a bird person...but I guess I am! How can you not love them? They're so beautiful and smart and funny and wonderful!

A little about our house, its me, my husband, our 5 year old son, 4 dogs, a handful of inside/outside cats, and a rabbit. Its a houseful, but it works!

Glad to be here!
 
Hi and welcome to you all and Merlin. Thank you for giving him a forever home, he sounds a wonderful bird. The pet store story is not original LOL.

Just being a little proactive can you reassure us about the dogs/cats situation. We do hear on here unfortunate stories. I am sure they are all very inquisitive about Merlin. It can work, does work but needs some thought.

Welcome again and please do tell some more about Merlin as you grow together.
 
Welcome to the forums, Morgan and Merlin!! Thanks for "rescuing" Merlin from a truly disgusting situation. We never know what "baggage" a parrot harbors from their past homes, but it seems Merlin is socialized and receptive to your love.

May I suggest a visit to an avian vet for an exam? Given the filth and rodent contaminated past "home" it is possible he may harbor an easily cured illness.

Feel free to ask questions and post your observations. Lots of members with Macaw experience!!
 
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Thanks for the welcomes!

Merlin has an appointment at the avian vet scheduled for Tuesday! I definitely want to make sure hes okay!

He is around the cats more than the dogs, he lunges at the cats, I think to tell them hes not food. The cats give him a wide berth. LOL
The dogs are allowed in the room when Merlin is in his cage, so mostly at night when he goes to bed. So far, they don't really care. They're more interested in the spilled nuts on the floor than Merlin himself. LOL Merlin doesn't care much about the dogs, I think because there was a groomer in the store he was in, so he could see and hear barking dogs daily.
 
Hello Morgan and welcome to you and Merlin! I am so glad you got him out of his horrible situation he was living in.
Please let us know how his vet appointment goes!
I'm so glad you joined us and I look forward to hearing more about Merlin:)
 
Welcome to you and Merlin. It is good that you "rescued" him from the pet store and that he's in a better situation now and a good home. Hoping the appointment at the vet goes well.
 
Welcome to the forums! I'm happy you joined us and very happy for Merlin. He sounds like a wonderful character. Wishing Merlin the best at his vet visit.
 
Welcome and be welcomed. Please ask questions if you got them. And we love pics here. Can't wait to see a family portrait.
 
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Hello!

Merlin went to the vet this morning! The vet was awesome! She is a parrot owner also, which made me feel really comfortable with her!
Merlin is overall in good health, he is a little underweight, she said it wasn't anything to be too concerned with, his diet changes should help that.
He got a shot of ivermectin for possible intestinal parasites and possible nasal mites. He does scratch his face a little bit, and he does have some occasional redness. She said because he was in such close quarters with parakeets he could have gotten the mites from them. And I figure a deworming doesn't hurt anything, because who knows what all he came in contact with in the store. Overall though, she said he looks really good!

He did really well! He didn't try to take any fingers off or anything like that! He just bit the towel he was wrapped in. LOL

So I'm really happy with my choice in vets office, I was super nervous because birds are so exotic and fragile! The vet and the tech were really comfortable with him, and very thorough. She gave me a Harrison's food guide, she recommends he switch to one of their blends. So I am going to look into that, I've seen the name thrown around here a bit, it seems like a popular food.

So yay Merlin! I'm glad hes healthy!
 
Glad you found a great vet with a gentle staff. So many birds are overweight that having an apparently healthy but slightly underweight parrot can be easily managed!
 

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