Jun. 2014 - New 2014! - Kea Encounter

June 21, 2014 - The flight cape opened in 1962, but was changed to Lorikeet Landing in 2006, and now it holds those lorikeets and the largest flock of Kea outside of New Zealand.

Species:
-Kea
-Chattering Lory
-Rainbow Lorikeet
-Black-capped Lory
-Red Lory
-Pied Imperial Pigeon
-Cape Barren Goose
-Speckled Pigeon
-Magpie Goose
-Ruddy Shelduck
-Nicobar Pigeon

From 1962 to 2013, this aviary was a non-scheduled walk through aviary where guests could enter any time they wanted. In 2014, a schedule was created where people could only walk through on Sundays near closing time. I was at the zoo every single Sunday that summer and every time I passed it, the gates were locked and no one was allowed in. Hence, the reason for this added viewing window. I found that odd because I would find photos all over Flickr of people inside the cage interacting with the keas. Now, there's no scheduled times and now it's just a regular exhibit. Today (what I see), it only contains Pied Imperial Pigeons, Magpie Geese, a Cape Barren Goose, and Kea. The kea are currently off exhibit due to the "heat", which makes absolutely no sense considering they were on exhibit the entire summer in 90 degree weather.

The holding building associated with this aviary (and eventually the aviary itself) is being renovated, and the kea were all to be taken over to the holding at the animal hospital. When the hottest part of the summer hit, they went ahead and took them out early because some of them were starting to show signs of heat distress. And there should be a single cardinal lory and two nicobar pigeons, as well, although they might still be off exhibit, as I know one of them fell ill.

How many kea are kept here?

kiang said:

How many kea are kept here?

Click to expand...

Inventory says 14 but lately with a few glances I only saw maybe half of that on exhibit.

Moebelle said:

Inventory says 14 but lately with a few glances I only saw maybe half of that on exhibit.

Click to expand...

There are, indeed, 14 kea; however, your observations would be correct because prior to the whole flock being moved to the holding at the hospital (where they all are now), a handful of birds were moved over early.