Budgie Buddies Encounter

MINOCQUA - It's hard to imagine what it would feel like to be in a room with 700 birds.

Now, you don't have to imagine it, you can actually experience it at the Wildwood Wildlife Park.

It might sound a bit strange, or even scary, but a new exhibit at the Wildwood Wildlife Park gives you the chance to get up close and personal with birds.

There's no lack of chirping in this new exhibit at Widwood Wildlife Park in Minocqua. It's pretty safe to say there's no lack of fun here at the "Budgie Buddies" Encounter as well.

Duane Domaszek. the Owner of Wildwood Wildlife Park, says "We opened it up Memorial weekend and it's just been phenominal as far as the feedback for it."

The inspiration for the Parakeet aviary came from a zoo in Omaha. Wildwood Wildlife Park owners saw something similar to this, and decided it was time to bring this to the Northwoods. Students and parents from Sacred Heart School in Polonia say being so close to 700 birds at once is quite an experience.

Karen Yach, who is enjoying the exhibit, says "It's awesome. Just being around the birds and at first I thought I'd be a little afraid, but not at all."

Mercedes Gagas, who is enjoying the exhibit, says "I think it's really cool to know the birds like the food and to feel so close to it."

Tara Yach, who is enojying the exhibit as well, says "It's fun because all the birds come to eat with you."

Nicole Wierzba, who really likes the exhibit, says "Sometimes they stay on your stick and they eat on your stick when you're holding it like that."

The owners here at Wildwood Wildlife say they're happy that the new exhibit is such a hit with all the people and they're also happy that they're the first in the state to have something like this.

Duane Domaszek says "It's pretty cool because word of mouth has already spread and we have people calling from all over the state already who have heard about it and now they're heading up to the Northwoods to see it."

There's definitely plenty to see, with every bird having it's own unique coloring. While every budgie looks different, they're all pretty brave when it comes to flying close to humans.

Nicole Wierzba says "It feels really cool."

Karen Yach says "It's a little crazy, but you get used to it after a little while.

There's no doubt about it these students are used to it, and would spend the entire day in this exhibit with the birds if they could.

The exhibit is open everyday and will be closing Labor Day.

The Owner of Wildwood says local businesses like J.J. Acres and the Pond Shop had a lot to do with making their dream of opening the exhibit a reality. (Source: Janelle Dobson)