In Kowloon, Yuen Po Street Bird Garden occupies an area of about 3000 square metres, and is a long established bird market where a wide variety of birds can be seen.
The huge walk-in aviary at Hong Kong Park on the island is the other place to see exotic species. Both are well worth a visit for bird lovers and photographers alike.
Hong Kong’s Birds in the City, the Bird Garden
Keeping a caged bird is popular in Hong Kong where many apartments are small. Older men carry songbirds in decorative bamboo cages to meet other bird lovers for a chat.
For years the bird market selling pet birds of all sizes was held in a small alley off Argyle Street in Mongkok. In the mid 1990s Argyle Street was redeveloped and a new home had to be found. Realizing its great attraction, the government built a garden in Yuen Po Street to keep the characteristics and spirit of Bird Street.
Construction was completed in 1997 at a cost of HK$29 million. The garden will delight photographers with its traditional design of Ming and Qing architectural features. A Moon Gateway opens onto a courtyard with three Chinese style ornamental archways inscribed with couplets positioned along the path. About 70 stalls are painted white with jade green ceramic tiles on the pagoda-style rooftops. Hangers for cages are placed under the eaves so bird lovers can let their birds enjoy fresh air.
Hong Kong’s Birds in the City, Birds for Sale
The stalls sell many kinds of birds, including finches, hwa mei (white-eyes) and more exotic types. These are kept at home in cages, but some like wor gwoot are bought to be released as part of merit-making Buddhist rituals. Cages, birdseed and accessories are also on sale.
The main entrance on Boundary Street has a large carved mural depicting over 100 birds, while historical photographs of the original Bird Street give a nostalgic look back. To get to the Bird Garden, open from 7am-8pm, take the MTR to Prince Edward Station and walk a couple of blocks.
Hong Kong’s Birds in the City, Hong Kong Park
On Hong Kong island, Hong Kong Park was built on the site of the old British military barracks at a cost of HK$398 million and opened in May 1991. Reached off Cotton Tree Drive, and open 6am – 11pm, it covers eight hectares, a blend of modern design and natural landscape. Many of the original trees, planted by the military, give shade on a sunny day.
In the walk-through aviary over 600 birds comprising 90 species birds fly freely through the soaring canopy. Most are from the Malesian rain forests which contain the tallest rain forest trees on earth and are home for some of the world's most beautiful birds. Visitors can walk through as if they were visiting a natural environment with the sight and sound of these spectacular creatures.
Hong Kong’s Birds in the City, a Delight for Photographers and Bird Lovers Alike
So even if time too short to get out to the countryside and Mai Po Marshes, nature is not far away. Caged or free, birds can be enjoyed and photographed right in the heart of Hong Kong.
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