Vasa (parrot)

Vasa is a male Greater Vasa parrot (Coracopsis vasa) used in educational programs at the Birmingham Zoo. Vasa parrots, native to Madagascar and the Comorros, are dark gray or black in color with long necks and rounded heads and beaks. Vasa has been trained to speak and, rather than being exhibited, is brought out during keeper talks and outreach programs.

In July 2012 Vasa escaped from his enclosure at the zoo and was spotted going in the direction of Hollywood Boulevard. He was later discovered perched in a tree on zoo property and eventually lured back into the hands of his keepers.

References

• Faulk, Kent (July 8, 2012) "Birmingham Zoo seeks help in finding missing parrot." The Birmingham News
• Thornton, William (July 8, 2012) "Update: Zoo keepers retrieve wayward bird." The Birmingham News