New Pionus

[MosaicMadness]

Well, it's been many years since I first started thinking about a bronze winged pionus, but today is the day I finally go pick up our "baby". Okay, so he's 19 years young. Maybe not a "baby", but still our new feather-child. I didn't realize how silently they have slipped into oblivion until I started looking for a hand fed baby and saw every listing I called/emailed around the country (I wasn't opposed to shipping) respond with: we no longer breed birds. we no longer breed pionus. we no longer breed bronze wings. Wow. That was a wake up call. So when I found a breeder who lost his female and was looking to rehome his males, I asked if any had pet potential and so here we are. I was told his name is "Merlin" and it sounds like a good name to me, so Oreo the maxi will be getting a little brother today.... once I make the 4-5 hour drive each way. Go road trip! (can't believe none of my kids wanted to take me up on the offer of going with me LOL ah well.)

 

[JerseyWendy]

WOW, how super exciting!!! A road-trip with a mission, and a GREAT destination! Be safe, and I can't wait to 'meet' Merlin!!

 

[texsize]

I am glad you found what you were looking for. I would very much like to have a bronze wing myself. Please post some pictures when you can.
texsize

 

[MosaicMadness]

 

[JerseyWendy]

Welcome home, you beautiful Merlin!

How did the trip go?

 

[MosaicMadness]

It was a L O N G drive (4-1/2 hours each way) He is actually much tamer than I expected, will readily step up with no attempt of nipping or bluffing. But I'm a bit worried as he sneezed several times coming home and this morning he keeps squinting his left eye and sleeping (he had no signs of discharge or eye issues when I picked him up) He did come down to eat and drink this morning and his poop looks normal. The avian vet isn't open until Monday, so waiting to see if he stays the same, go Mon, if worse, I'll have to suck up an emergency visit He's also a bit odd in that he still does the baby begging. Has anyone had an adult do that?? He is very cute though and sweet.

 

[RavensGryf]

Congratulations on Merlin! I think he might be doing the baby sound out of insecurity in new surroundings? I highly doubt he'll keep doing it as time goes by. I hope he's okay, but it's good to get him into a vet anytime you get a new bird, and especially where you don't know it's complete history.

 

[MosaicMadness]

Just got back from the vet, tons of emergencies so ended up being there about 3 hours. Sent blood work and swabs out for testing lab. Visual, he's a little thin and feathers are rough (considering he was in a basement cage with 3 other males, not unexpected to me). She couldn't find anything obviously wrong, but flushed out his nostrils and sent me home with some antibiotics "just in case" since the bloodwork will take a week to get results back. On the good hand, we found out he has an awesome disposition! He steps up readily every time in and out of cage/carrier, etc. He also likes to snuggle - get scritches and he isn't a biter! He "bit" me and all it was, was a light pinch... NO BLOOD LOL.

 

[MikeyTN]

Sounds like he would be quite easy to work with. I've thought about a bronze wing pionus myself years ago, had no idea it was so hard to find anymore. I guess they're just not a popular species that most go for.

 

[RavensGryf]

Hopefully Merlin isn't just going through a honeymoon period . If you have a BW male who is not a natually moody guy, then you have a real gem.

I recall coming across a BW on the internet some years ago who lived with a Nanday and I think was named Merlin. Probably not the same Merlin...

 

[MosaicMadness]

I was told he was with his first owner for about 15-16 years who found him a new home because she was dying from cancer, then he was at a breeder's for the next 3 in a cage with 3 other pionus, now here. Even if it's a honeymoon, if he doesn't bite any harder than that, I'm good LOL.