The much-loved parrot who took up residence for nearly 20 years at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is starting to thrive at his new home in Ontario.
Merlin the macaw made the big trip from Halifax to Stephensville last year when a change of routine and lack of visitors through COVID, led to him being unable to shake depression and anxiety from his feathers.
Now, according to General Manager Taryn Hipkiss at Safari Niagara, he’s doing great.
“He’s been doing well all along. We do have many bird specialists here on staff, so he’s definitely been taken very well cared for. ”
How he’s come along…
Merlin has been at Safari Niagara now since April.
Hipkiss says when he first arrived, he was hesitant to leave his perch and interact with other birds.
“One of Merlin’s behaviors was plucking…which is a symptom some macaws will have during times of stress. Macaws are very sensitive birds, especially to change.”
Working through some of his behaviors, she says, has been a process but he is on the right track.
New best friend
Macaws are very social birds.
To encourage Merlin to engage with other parrots, his enclosure is strategically placed across from a group of six Macaws to observe their behavior.
In addition to that, Hipkiss says, the Safari Niagara has paired him with a blue, gold macaw named Kiki.
“Kiki really explored toward Merlin and he would accept her, but he wouldn’t make the initiative to interact with her.”
Now, she says, he is doing great, acting more like a parrot would, looking for food on his own and exploring his fairly large exhibit.
“He definitely is quite a character and has a great personality. We’ve very happy to have Merlin here at our facility.”
Comments