Kea Underfoot Access Tunnel at De Paay, 02/06/12

An odd aviary is joined to a more conventional set-up in the parrot block by a strange passage under the feet of visitors.

The kea doesn't mind, he likes shoes very much

Yes, we noticed that!

This right here is one of the most awesome things I have ever seen in a zoo.
So simple, yet nowhere else have I seen this.

How does this exhibit work? Does the kea just waddle through the tunnel between the outside cage and the inside quarters as it likes?

Does it often stay in the tunnel and nibble at the shoes of unsuspecting visitors crossing over the passage way?

DavidBrown said:

How does this exhibit work? Does the kea just waddle through the tunnel between the outside cage and the inside quarters as it likes?

Click to expand...

Seemingly so - the aviary at the left of this photo is just in a conventional row of small aviaries and the one at the right is a standalone one - the bird had free access when we were there.

DavidBrown said:

Does it often stay in the tunnel and nibble at the shoes of unsuspecting visitors crossing over the passage way?

Click to expand...

Certainly seemed popular with it when we were there!

all kea love shoes! In walk-through kea aviaries (should you ever happen to be in one) a kea would be happy to sit there all day dismantling your shoes while you are wearing them.

I imagine the tunnel would be awesome for them too. They love exploring and getting into awkward places. The more variety in their cages the better.