Blue-and-Gold Macaws
These vibrant macaws are social, expressive, and highly intelligent, with strong beaks designed for climbing, exploring, and opening hard foods.
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Rescued birds in Citrus County, Florida
Rescued Macaws & Cockatoos at Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter
Bright, intelligent, and full of personality, our rescued and rehomed macaws and cockatoos are some of the most engaging animals guests can meet at our indoor aquarium near Crystal River, Florida.
Each bird has a name, a history, and an individual personality. Through lifelong care, enrichment, education, and responsible animal management, these remarkable birds help guests better understand both the joy and the commitment involved in caring for parrots.
Every bird has a story. Their journeys to Mertailor were different, but they now share a permanent home where they receive daily care, enrichment, and opportunities to inspire guests.
Our Bird Story
All of the birds in our care were rescued or rehomed from individuals who could no longer care for them. Many once lived as family companions, but parrots can live for decades and require specialized nutrition, veterinary care, enrichment, social interaction, and long-term planning.
When circumstances changed, these birds needed a safe place to land. At Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter, they receive permanent care in an enriched environment while helping us educate guests about responsible parrot ownership and the importance of protecting wild populations.
- Permanent care: A stable home designed around each bird's long-term needs.
- Individual attention: Daily observation, enrichment, training, and care based on behavior and health.
- Public education: Honest conversations about parrot intelligence, lifespan, responsibility, and conservation.
Why Macaws & Cockatoos Are Extraordinary
Macaws and cockatoos are among the most intelligent and socially complex birds in the world. Their care requires much more than food and shelter because they need opportunities to learn, explore, communicate, solve problems, and make choices.
Remarkable Intelligence
Parrots can learn routines, solve problems, recognize familiar people, and communicate through vocalizations, posture, movement, and facial expression.
Powerful Social Bonds
Many parrots form strong relationships with other birds and their caregivers. Social needs are an important part of their emotional well-being.
A Lifelong Commitment
Some parrots can live for many decades. Their long lifespan means ownership requires planning that may extend across major life changes and generations.
Meet Our Feathered Residents
Our aviary is home to several kinds of macaws and cockatoos. Individual visibility may vary because birds may choose to rest, move to another area, participate in training, or spend time away from public view.
Green-Winged Macaws
Often described as gentle giants, green-winged macaws are among the larger macaw species and are recognized by their deep red, green, and blue plumage.
Cockatoos
Cockatoos are expressive, affectionate, and demanding birds known for their movable crests, powerful voices, curiosity, and need for consistent enrichment.
Hybrid Macaws
Hybrid macaws have parents from different macaw species and may display unique combinations of color, size, behavior, and personality.
Daily Enrichment & Training
Enrichment is an essential part of responsible parrot care. Our team provides activities that encourage natural behavior, physical movement, curiosity, problem-solving, and appropriate social interaction.
Foraging
Food may be hidden, wrapped, placed in puzzles, or presented in ways that encourage birds to search and work for part of their diet.
Chewing & Shredding
Bird-safe wood, paper, natural materials, and approved toys give parrots healthy opportunities to use their powerful beaks.
Movement & Exploration
Climbing, balancing, manipulating objects, and moving through different areas help support physical activity and confidence.
Positive Reinforcement
Training supports cooperation, trust, voluntary participation in care, and safe movement while giving birds meaningful choices.
Behind the Scenes: Exceptional Avian Care
Every bird in our aviary receives ongoing health monitoring and individualized care. Our team tracks appetite, weight, behavior, feather condition, mobility, social interactions, enrichment participation, and changes that may require closer attention.
When additional medical evaluation or treatment is needed, we work with qualified avian veterinarians and other zoological professionals to support the health and welfare of each bird.
- Routine wellness examinations and weight monitoring
- Veterinary consultations and medical care when needed
- Daily behavioral and physical observations
- Species-appropriate nutrition and feeding records
- Habitat maintenance, enrichment, and training
Why Rescue & Responsible Ownership Matter
Parrots can be wonderful companions, but they are also among the most challenging animals commonly kept in private homes. Their intelligence, noise, destructive chewing, social needs, specialized care, and long lifespan can become overwhelming when owners are not fully prepared.
Decades of Responsibility
Bringing home a parrot may mean committing to that animal for much of a person's lifetime.
Complex Daily Needs
Parrots require safe housing, balanced nutrition, enrichment, veterinary care, cleaning, training, and regular social interaction.
Protecting Wild Birds
Responsible choices, habitat protection, and opposition to illegal wildlife trafficking help protect parrots in their natural environments.
Meet a Few Members of Our Flock
Guests often return looking for a favorite bird. Each resident has an individual history, personality, preferred activities, and relationships with other birds and caregivers.
Clyde
A recognizable member of our flock with a personality all his own.
Dancer
A Moluccan cockatoo known for expressive behavior and an unmistakable presence.
Squeakers
One of our rescued residents who helps guests understand that every parrot is an individual.
Charlie
A valued member of our aviary family with individual preferences, routines, and relationships.
Help Enrich Our Birds
Wings of Wonder is a separate guest-support program created to provide additional enrichment opportunities for the rescued birds in our care.
About Wings of Wonder
Guests can purchase an approved bird toy through our gift shop. The toy is then provided to our avian team and introduced as part of the birds' enrichment program.
Learn How to Participate
The exhibit page introduces the birds and their care. The dedicated Wings of Wonder page explains how the program works, what participation includes, and how additional enrichment supports our rescued flock.
Macaw & Cockatoo Questions
Are all of the birds rescued?
The birds at Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter were rescued or rehomed from individuals who could no longer provide for their long-term needs.
Why are parrots often rehomed?
Parrots can live for decades and require specialized care, enrichment, veterinary support, social interaction, and long-term planning that some owners can no longer provide.
What kinds of birds can guests see?
Guests may see blue-and-gold macaws, green-winged macaws, hybrid macaws, and cockatoos. Individual visibility may vary.
Why do parrots need so many toys?
Toys and other enrichment encourage foraging, chewing, shredding, climbing, exploration, problem-solving, and healthy physical activity.
Can guests touch or feed the birds?
The aviary is primarily an observation and education experience. Please do not touch, feed, or handle a bird unless specifically invited during a supervised activity.
Why do some rescued parrots have damaged feathers?
Some birds arrive with feather damage or pre-existing feather-destructive behavior. These complex behaviors may have medical, environmental, or behavioral causes and can continue even after circumstances improve.
What is Wings of Wonder?
Wings of Wonder is a separate enrichment-support program that allows guests to purchase an approved toy through our gift shop for the rescued birds in our care.
Where is the aquarium located?
Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter is located at 4100 W Gulf to Lake Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461, in Citrus County near Crystal River.
Meet Our Rescued Macaws & Cockatoos
Plan a visit to Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter and discover rescued birds, sharks, rays, touch tanks, marine exhibits, and live underwater mermaid shows in one indoor Citrus County attraction.
Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter
4100 W Gulf to Lake Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461