Something is up with Merlin.

[texsize]

This could go in a number of threads but Merlin IS an amazon.

Twice last week Merlin had trouble flying.
It was in the afternoon and best I can describe is he could not get high enough to land at his destination. So he crashed into something.
He had no trouble in his morning flights.
He never crashed hard, he doesn’t have enough room to get up too much speed.

After that he was afraid to come out of his cage in the afternoon.
And now something scared him IN his cage and it was almost identical to a bad dream I had this morning.
He was hanging onto the front of his cage flapping away very scared.
I let him/them out and removed all the hanging toys in the main side of the cage.

There’s been no real changes.
I moved Bingo’s cage closer to The Twins cage .
I had hoped to get them into his old cage but they weren’t comfortable in it so I haven’t forced the issue.

Soooo.

I don’t know why Merlin is having trouble flying.
And.
I don’t know what he is spooked about.

I’d go to the vet if I thought I could get answers but I doubt it.
Most of the time he flys just fine.
Is it a problem with depth perception?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Is it possible that a mouse got in his cage and scared him?

 

[texsize]

Is it possible that a mouse got in his cage and scared him?

I’m pretty sure not.

I have seen a few roach’s in the house but it’s been weeks since the last one and I sprayed bug spray all around the outside of the house after I spotted them (and killed em) .

I have seen this scared response once when I was fooling around with the cloth covering the back of the cage (and hiding the power cord for their cuddle up warmer).

In moving Bingo’s cage I removed his back cover and in doing this it partially uncovered the power cord.
I removed his back covered it up just now so maybe it will help. I think they see that black cord as a snake, one of birds deadly enemies.
Everything seems calm for now.

 

[rheashard2]

Nameliss doesn't like the power cord for her perch warmer. Sometimes she'd act scared of it. I was worried she'd try to get at it. I used PVC pipe and adapter to cover it. No problems since. Nothing special. It hangs on the bolt firm but not tight. She rarely pays it attention for out of cage time.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

My guys flipped out when I brought a trick-or-treating bucket I got from McDonald's on the 30th. I walked in with dinner, and Yvons flipped out, as did Quasar. I think it's the color. It's bright red with a yellow handle.

 

[rheashard2]

Could they be didn't like the face. Nameliss doesn't like festival type masks. She goes into kill or be killed mode.

 

[texsize]

Nameliss doesn't like the power cord for her perch warmer. Sometimes she'd act scared of it. I was worried she'd try to get at it. I used PVC pipe and adapter to cover it. No problems since. Nothing special. It hangs on the bolt firm but not tight. She rarely pays it attention for out of cage time.

I used this trick with Bingo’s heater.
Not due to fear but to keep him from chewing on it.

I’ve delt with fear mostly with my Cockatiels .
My Amazon’s are normally harder to….Ruffle them.

But the flying troubles me and I don’t know what I can do.
I can’t put him on a treadmill at the vets

All I can do is pick him up and put him back in his cage early.

 

[nkrbkr]

How old is Merlin again? Could he potentially have some cataracts? Does Merlin fly very often? Is he recall trained at all? I’m not sure if you saw my thread where I’ve been training Ava to hop/flap to me, and starting recall? It might be a way to keep him in shape, and help rebuild his confidence if he is scared of crashing again.

 

[kme3388]

I can completely understand your frustration bringing your parrot to a vet, and not learning why your parrot is having problems. It’s happened to me on a few occasions. I take it you’ve been there probably more than I have as you have more experience with senior parrots than I do. Mine are all fairly young.

I’m sorry Merlin isn’t doing well. How old is he? Could it be Bingo’s cage being closer is triggering something? When my dog passed away a few years ago my Ekkie appeared upset, different, and emotionally off for a bit. Just a thought.

I read about Bingo’s passing. I am so sorry I know you said you probably weren’t getting another parrot. Just so you know and if you ever have time shelters would LOVE you. Amazon experience is much appreciated at shelters for volunteers.

 

[texsize]

How old is Merlin again? Could he potentially have some cataracts? Does Merlin fly very often? Is he recall trained at all? I’m not sure if you saw my thread where I’ve been training Ava to hop/flap to me, and starting recall? It might be a way to keep him in shape, and help rebuild his confidence if he is scared of crashing again.

Merlin is young, 7/8 years old.
I bought him in 2018 .
No formal training.

Normal routine is for about an hour of out of cage time morning and evening. I try to keep Bella’s out of cage time separate from The Twins.

Most of the time they just fly somewhere and groom each other.
When it’s time to return sometimes it’s easy and sometimes it’s hard.
Luna normally returns first and once in the cage Merlin returns.
Sometimes it’s necessary to chase them around a bit.
There are tricks we use to get them to come down.
Playing with their balls (their whiffle ball toys) near there cage will normally get them down in a hurry.

I haven’t noticed any extra shortness of breath in them and eyes look clear. Their eye color is how I can for sure tell them apart so ……

Most of Merlin’s crashes seem to be due to low altitude and when he sees he can’t make his destination he aims for the softest crash sight in range.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

My English budgies are so big (60g compared to 35g) that they're not very good fliers compared to regular budgies. They tend to hit things tryng to get altitude. They need more space to fly well.

Is Merlin overweight maybe?

 

[texsize]

My English budgies are so big (60g compared to 35g) that they're not very good fliers compared to regular budgies. They tend to hit things tryng to get altitude. They need more space to fly well.

Is Merlin overweight maybe?

The only bird I was able to weigh was Bingo, none of the others will come near the scale.

The short answer is I don’t believe he is overweight.
He looks slightly slimmer when comparing breast size to Luna.
That is Luna’s Brest feathers fully hide her keel if you know what I mean. Merlin’s breast feathers don’t bulge out as much.
And while I pick them up most every day I can only pick up Merlin by hand, Luna doesn’t allow psyical contact. I have to use a small tablet for her to step up so can’t compare weight by hand.

They have been to the vet in the past and gotten weight but I can’t remember if both or only one got weighed.

It’s strange. I have seen Luna crash on occasion..
But not recently.
My best guess is.

Sometimes the birds fly in “panic mode”.
Something sets them off and they fly with more adrenaline and less thought.
It’s not always easy for us humans to realize that they are “fear flying “ and not fun flying.
If you do recognize it how to stop it before a crash happens.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

You must really miss Bingo. He was very special. Just want you to know that I'm thinking about you and Bingo. He isn't forgotten. I remember his contest winning photo sitting on your shoulder outdoors expressing how happy he was.

 

[texsize]

You must really miss Bingo. He was very special. Just want you to know that I'm thinking about you and Bingo. He isn't forgotten. I remember his contest winning photo sitting on your shoulder outdoors expressing how happy he was.

I have not given up on idea of another bird.
If I find the right bird I think I will know.

I had hoped I could win over Merlin to be a special friend but so far no.
You see The Twins watched Bingo die in my arms and I think they blame me for it.
Merlin use to sit with me even if reluctantly but now I can’t even sit down with him without him flying away from me.

I never forced him to sit with me, he could fly away anytime. Sometimes he would try to remove my fingernails (as someone else mentioned on the PF).

Still plan on going to the bird fair in December.

And this month is Bella’s 9 year adoption anniversary.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I hope you find the right bird at the fair. What kind of bird do you have in mind? Do you want a baby?

I don't think they blame you for Bingo dying but it is strange that Merlin avoids you now.

 

[texsize]

I hope you find the right bird at the fair. What kind of bird do you have in mind? Do you want a baby?

I don't think they blame you for Bingo dying but it is strange that Merlin avoids you now.

Not looking for a baby, age isn’t as important as finding a bird that wants to come home with me.
The bird fair isn’t ideal for that sort of match making but choice is limited.

Closest rescue I know of is near Santa Barbara.
Too far to make multiple visits and home inspections.

Could visit Omar’s exotic birds but that’s not close either.

Will just wait and see what happens.

Looking for Pionus , bronze wing or white cap .