Zoo Atlanta's new aviary

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Zoo Atlanta's new aviary

Photos of the new aviary at Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta's newest attraction -- an aviary -- is scheduled to open on April 3.

The aviary will house about 500 parakeets, and zoo officials say it will be one of the biggest in the country.

John Ballance, curator of birds at Zoo Atlanta, walks in the aviary.

Parakeets weigh about 1.5 ounces and are 7 inches long.

The exhibit will also be interactive. The zoo will allow visitors to use feed sticks to encourage the birds to eat while clinging to a guest's arm or sitting on his shoulder.

Visitors will be able to walk through the aviary, which features trees, a waterfall and grassy areas.

Ballance holds one of the birds.

Parakeets can be found in flocks of up to 10,000 birds.

"They are never silent," Ballance said. "They are very social birds. Their chattering is simply interactions."

"What's cool about these birds is they are so active," Ballance said. "They are so acrobatic. They are so fun to watch."

Parakeets are generally green but have been bred in America to offer more variety.

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Zoo Atlanta's newest attraction -- an aviary -- is scheduled to open on April 3.

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