Enjoy an immersive experience as you journey through this exotic aviary of FREE-FLYING lorikeets, with the chance to get up close with these colourful birds, whilst feeding them a pot of golden nectar*. Beware these friendly and inquisitive birds may fly close to you, or if you’re lucky sit on you!
Open daily from 10.30am, please check closing times on the day of your visit.
Please note the following points before visiting the Australian Rainbows exhibit at Colchester Zoo:
We are pleased to provide this interactive exhibit for visitors. It is important to note that as an immersive experience, you are physically entering the lorikeets habitat. Therefore, in order for it to be enjoyed safely there a few do’s and don’ts that must be considered.
Do
- Be vigilant when visiting with young children as these birds can make close contact, scratch or peck.
- Take pictures
- Put your arm out and let the birds rest on you
- Recycle your nectar pot in the bins supplied
Don’t
- Consume the nectar – this contains the allergen MILK
- Take food or drink into the exhibit
- Take pushchairs into the exhibit
- Touch or grab the birds.
*A small charge applies if you wish to feed the birds.
Feeding times may vary as the lorikeets are given a quota of nectar each day therefore we cannot guarantee times of when they will be feeding.
Australian Rainbows was officially opened on the 24th July 2014 during a private event by the mayor of Colchester. The mayor, mayoress and a number of guests were then invited to take a tour of the tropical walkthrough and its facilities before getting the chance to feed these colourful birds a treat of nectar.
Work to transform the Wild About Animals Theatre into the aviary began in January 2014. The theatre stage and seating were removed and the roof replaced to give the correct ‘tropical rainforest’ atmosphere. Inside, the rock work for the waterfall and large pond were added, complete with water for the rainbow fish which also inhabit the enclosure.