Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to open new $1m stadium for free flight bird show

Even birds get stunt doubles. Well, if you’re a star at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s free flight bird show, that is. Here’s everything you need to know about their newest show, Wild Skies.

EVEN birds have stunt doubles and understudies.

Big Bird the Macaw is one of 45 birds from 18 species performing at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s new free flight show, Wild Skies.

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Currumbin Sanctuary staff member Brendan Mulhall with Big Bird the Macaw.

And just like big Hollywood stars, high fliers at Currumbin like Big Bird can have their off days when they’re just not up to the stress of putting on a show for the fans.

General manager Michael Kelly says when this happens there is an understudy ready, with another bird getting its big break as a “double up’’.

So while the birds in the show are on a roster to perform, it’s always on their terms.

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Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary's $1m stadium for their free flight bird show. Picture: supplied

“We’ve got a really good collection of species that are well trained,” Mr Kelly said.

“Keepers know them intimately. The birds tell us when they want to perform.

“We adjust to this, so not every show is the same.”

After 25 years in the elements, the sanctuary has purpose built a $1 million stadium eight metres high that will really “do the show justice’’.

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Even Big Bird has a stunt double.

The new stadium has also doubled the capacity to house spectators, now catering for 600 people per show.

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Mr Kelly said a variety of native birds would be shown, such as galahs, kites, owls and eagles, as well as exotics such as macaws.

But there would also be other surprises in store.

“One of our pelicans turns 18 this year, which is almost unheard of in the wild,” he said.

“We’re also introducing some chickens, but they’re not the traditional style of chickens.”

Mr Kelly said the show would explore how birds have evolved and the future of flight.

Wild Skies will officially open on New Year’s Day.