(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
One of Tracy Aviary's four Keas slam dunks a tennis ball into the pool for fun in their new exhibit, Expedition Kea, May 10, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
A White Headed Buffalo Weaver flies past a Supurb Starling in one of Tracy Aviary's new exhibits, Thursday, May 10, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
One of Tracy Aviary's four Keas picks up a tennis ball in order to slam dunk it into the pool for fun in their new exhibit, Expedition Kea, May 10, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
One of Tracy Aviary's four Keas slam dunks a tennis ball into the pool for fun in their new exhibit, Expedition Kea, May 10, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
One of Tracy Aviary's four Keas reveals the colorful underwing parts of their plumage as they play in their new exhibit, Expedition Kea, May 10, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
One of Tracy Aviary's four Keas reveals the colorful underwing parts of their plumage as they play in their new exhibit, Expedition Kea, May 10, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
A White Headed Buffalo Weaver in one of Tracy Aviary's new exhibits, Thursday, May 10, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
A Bearded Barbet in one of Tracy Aviary's new exhibits, Thursday, May 10, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
A White Headed Buffalo Weaver in one of Tracy Aviary's new exhibits, Thursday, May 10, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
A White Headed Buffalo Weaver flies past a Supurb Starling in one of Tracy Aviary's new exhibits, Thursday, May 10, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
A Supurb Starling in one of Tracy Aviary's new exhibits, Thursday, May 10, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
A Supurb Starling in one of Tracy Aviary's new exhibits, Thursday, May 10, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
One of Tracy Aviary's four Keas picks up a tennis ball in order to slam dunk it into the pool for fun in their new exhibit, Expedition Kea, May 10, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
A Laughing Kookaburra in one of Tracy Aviary's new exhibits, Thursday, May 10, 2018.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune)
One of Tracy Aviary's four Keas gnaws on a branch in their new exhibit, Expedition Kea, May 10, 2018.
Clever, playful, full of shenanigans — that’s the kea for you. And now there’s a place in Salt Lake City to check out the antics of this unusual parrot native to New Zealand.
Tracy Aviary offered a first look Thursday of its newest exhibit, Expedition Kea, which will serve as a matchmaking center for the species in partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.
After getting to know each other at Tracy Aviary, the mating pairs will travel to other zoos and facilities to breed and raise their offspring.
The exhibit opens Saturday, May 12, as part of the Aviary’s Urban Bird Festival. Visit https://www.tracyaviary.org for details and ticket information.
The aviary also will debut two additional exhibits featuring birds from Australia and Africa, including the laughing kookaburra and bearded barbet.
Facts about the kea
• The kea is the world’s only alpine parrot and can be found in wooded valleys and alpine grasslands in New Zealand.
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• Kea are one of the most intelligent birds, often compared favorably with 4-year-old humans.
• They have achieved a reputation for their inquisitiveness and reckless behavior.
• Kea are omnivorous and eat a wide range of plant and animal matter.
Source: Tracy Aviary
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