Budgies!

Of course, there are all kinds of birds at the Indianapolis Zoo,

 including this aviary full of budgeriars.

Visitors enter the little birds' home via an anteroom,

where they are greeted by the exhibit's attendant.

On this day, she was carrying a 3-foot length of dowel rod

as she emerged from the aviary through a curtain made from

floor-length pieces of five-eighths inch diameter

braided rope. The rod was used to herd any escapees

back through the rope curtain.

The trees and branches inside were covered with the multi-colored 

chattering budgies, who darted back and forth between 

the perches stationed throughout the airy house.

They often flew very close to the visitors; I could feel

the beating of their wings as they flew overhead.

Visitors could obtain sticks with dabs of bird food 

on the end to feed to their hungry hosts. A little girl 

about four years old was holding one of the sticks 

for the dining pleasure of a little blue budgie.