Merlin the Magical

[papaya13]

Finally, FINALLY, after years of research and months of planning and cancellations and delays, I’m heading home… with a BIRD!

Meet Merlin!



He’s a 4YO TAG, and NOT the bird I thought I was coming home with when I drove to California. I visited an enormous CAG the same morning I picked him up and I tried my hardest to get along with him- despite coming with pockets full of treats, he wanted nothing to do with me. Besides biting my feet.

But Merlin? He’s one sweet and easy-going little dude.

He gratefully (and very gently) accepted my gift almond, and he stepped up for me almost immediately. He’s had two owners before me. His last house didn’t even keep him in a cage- he slept in a cat crate with one skinny branch propped across the center.

He likes carrots, broccoli sprouts, edamame, apples, ALMONDS, and pumpkin seeds… basically everything I’ve offered him so far except pellets. We’ll work on it.

He’s also not too keen on toys yet- he enjoyed balling up a paper napkin into little tiny beads, but doesn’t know what to do with the toys I hung in his crate. Another thing we’ll work on!

Im so, so grateful he’s come into my life! I’m really excited to start positive reinforcement training with him and see how his personality blossoms!

 

[Pixiebeak]

Congratulations on Merlin!
It's Xtra special to b choosen!
May he have a happy long healthy life with you full of love and laughs

 

[April]

He's such a handsome boy! Congrats on adopting him.

 

[papaya13]

Here he is stopped for breakfast in Las Vegas, bean in foot:



We’ve a loooong drive ahead of us. Luckily he seems to like the Grateful Dead pretty well… or maybe just “Touch of Grey”?

 

[Sarahmoluccan]

I'm so happy for you both

 

[zoo mom]

Congratulations.

 

[sunnysmom]

Congratulations!

 

[SumitaSinh]

Congratulations! Please keep us updated.

 

[Somebirdie]

Congratulations! Sounds like you will both be just as thrilled as each other with your new lives!

 

[Tyrion]

 

[papaya13]

Merlin is settling in just fine. We finally made it home and immediately got in the shower:



Not sure how many baths he’s gotten in the past, but he really enjoyed this one! His feathers look so much better.

Putting together his cage was a pain in the neck, but luckily I had a little help from my neighbor. I got a HUGE stainless steel dome top at a really good price because I picked it up directly from the supplier and paid in cash. I’ll post pics tonight of his new digs!

 

[zoo mom]

He looks shocked at his good fortune.

 

[Sarahmoluccan]

Awesome news!

 

[papaya13]

After I set up his cage I spent some time observing how he moved around and made a few adjustments. I’m particularly proud of the sisal ropes connecting opposite corners- hardware store score!

 

[papaya13]

Still need to work on playing with toys. He likes the almond slices I hid in a giant pinecone, but there hasn’t been much actual playing- I’d love to get him chewing on something!

 

[zoo mom]

Merlin just look at your castle.

 

[SumitaSinh]

I'm so happy for both of you. Timneh greys are awesome, same intelligence and personality in a more manageable size, IMO. A pity, they are not available in India. Waiting for more stories....

 

[papaya13]

My friend came over today, bag of trail mix in hand, and Merlin was such a goofball! He loved the attention and did all his best whistles. He does the sound of the squeaky door on his old cat crate really well, which is how he lets you know he wants to come out. My favorite noises, though, are the little grumbles he makes when he's investigating something new or just hanging out. He's like a little old man muttering to himself

We've been clicker training every morning and again in the afternoon. He's doing really well! He picked up targeting immediately and can now make counter-clockwise circles on a perch. Clockwise... not so much. He's left-footed, so maybe counter-clockwise feels more natural? No idea.

I'm hoping to start getting him outside in a carrier soon. I garden for work, and I think he'd really enjoy the high tunnels! I'm trying to take advantage of the "honeymoon period" and expose him to as many new things as possible while everything is still relatively new. He's taking it like a champ.

I feel so lucky- he's such a good little dude.

 

[papaya13]

Merlin’s current favorite toy:



AKA half a toilet paper tube stuffed with a napkin and secured with a zip tie. Cheap fun!

He’s very particular about the texture of napkins he prefers- it can’t be too soft (so no paper towels or tissue) or too crunchy- he has to be able to ball it up easily. Current favorites are the brown napkins from McDonald’s and the red cocktail napkins left over from a derby party four years ago. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[SumitaSinh]

Merlin’s current favorite toy:

View attachment 430771

AKA half a toilet paper tube stuffed with a napkin and secured with a zip tie. Cheap fun!

He’s very particular about the texture of napkins he prefers- it can’t be too soft (so no paper towels or tissue) or too crunchy- he has to be able to ball it up easily. Current favorites are the brown napkins from McDonald’s and the red cocktail napkins left over from a derby party four years ago. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Great idea