Flights
of Fancy: A Brilliance of Birds
 Be
prepared for an extravaganza of showy feathers, explosive color
and amusing antics when you visit one of the biggest and newest
Zoo exhibits. Five brilliant aviaries are now home to hundreds
of exotic birds. Stroll through three aviaries, enjoy
interactive feedings at two designated stations, watch a fun 4-D
movie, take the kids to a bird-themed play yard and rediscover
the birds that have brightened your imagination since childhood.
Flights of Fancy: A Brilliance of Birds offers up-close
experiences with colorful and curious birds from around the
world. Designed especially for families with young children,
this all-new Encounters exhibit gives you the opportunity to get
close to the animals. The beautiful birds in this exhibit come
from warmer climates, like Africa, South America, Asia and
Australia, and many have never experienced weather like an
Indiana winter. For their comfort, they spend the winter months
in the luxury of their climate-controlled off-exhibit holding
area, with the exception of the flamingos and the southern
ground hornbills which will be on exhibit as weather permits.
 •
Budgies: In this aviary, surround yourself with hundreds of
friendly and curious budgies. Give your seed stick a shake and
one may even land on your hand, arm or shoulder to have a nibble
of seed. Remember to bring your camera for some great photo ops!
A group of charming cockatiels also lives in this aviary.
• Out of Africa: Take a trip to another continent as you
stroll through the next aviary. While helmeted guinea fowl and
wood partridges scamper along the ground, white-cheeked turacos
and superb starlings rest on perches above. Watch as taveta
golden weavers work to build their intricate nests. The
bizarre-yet-beautiful Southern ground hornbills are a must-see
in a their special aviary just around the corner. These
3-foot-tall meat eaters are the jesters of the African savannah
and love to play with their food.
 •
Lorikeets: Colorful, tropical, playful lories and lorikeets will
greet you in the third aviary. You'll feel like you're in the
Australian bush as you listen to their cheerful songs while they
drink nectar right from your hand!
• Splash
of Caribbean Color: Also, look for a sandy beach, large
lagoon and lush plants where you’ll find a stand of Caribbean
and Chilean flamingos
feeling right at home. For these festive birds, the more the
merrier!
Want to observe from a distance? There are many landing-free zones outside
the aviaries that provide a comfortable vantage point where you’ll be able
to enjoy all of the sights and sounds.
 We haven’t forgotten about birds from around Indiana.
The Backyard Habitat is dedicated to native attracting native birds
through landscaping and other features, offered thanks to Wild
Birds Unlimited. Indigenous plants and trees will provide a
special home for these beautiful birds of Indiana. Colorful
birds aren’t just for other continents; Africa has golden
weavers, but Indiana has goldfinches. Australia has red
lorikeets, but we have spectacular cardinals. Be inspired to
invite birds to your own backyard by seeing what we’ve done with
ours.
Not Just for the Birds
The new Flights of Fancy exhibit includes more than birds — there
are great new amenities that will feather your family’s nest,
too! Look for these great additions:
• Nursing Moms Nest presented by
Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health:
A quiet place for moms to care for and nurse babies in privacy.
• 4-D
Theater presented by
Yellow Pages: An all-new action packed theater with 3-D
and 4-D shows that will blow your imagination!
• New food options: Enjoy ICEEs,
smoothies, soft pretzels, ice cream and a variety of other snack
options.
• Tots Treehouse and Play Area: A special
place for little ones to play.
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