Oregon Zoo Lorikeet Aviary

Lorikeet Aviary

Walk-through Lorikeet Aviary

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Some of the world's most beautiful parrots are on exhibit in the Oregon Zoo's Lorikeet Aviary -- and visitors can have them eating right out of their hand.

The brightly-colored and noisy birds, called lories, are housed in a walk-through, open-air aviary. It was constructed on the site of the old sculpture garden just west of the Insect Zoo.

Jan Steele, animal collection manager emphasizes that the small parrots are very sociable and enjoy being around people. She refers to them as "natural clowns" and indicates that the aviary is "a high public contact area."

"Zoogoers love them because lories are quite acrobatic, very vocal and always inquisitive about people," she added.

Lorikeet Exhibit Visitors are able to purchase small paper cups of "nectar" (actually fortified fruit juice) at the aviary entrance. Then, as they walk through it, the parrots fly down and actually drink from the cups.

The L-shaped aviary measures 75 feet and 50 feet on the sides and is framed by 20-foot-tall fiberglass posts, draped with wire mesh to form the walls and roof. Its winding path passes a small waterfall, a small pool, several trees and vegetation.

Ralph Arrison, senior bird keeper, has privately raised and bred several lory species over the years.

"Visitors are really in for a treat," he said. "These are very friendly, very special birds."

For zoogoers wondering whatever happened to the old children's animal sculptures, they can be found in an area just west of the Elephant Museum and create a wonderful photo opportunity.