Jurong Bird Park Singapore – Asia’s largest bird park
Jurong Bird Park is Asia’s largest bird park with 400 different species and as many as 5000 birds, around 29 species are classified as threatened species.It houses exotic and endangered species like hornbills and sun conures which you might have never seen before! And the park offers the opportunity to spot the birds in the most unique manner. It has walk-in aviaries and bird shows that give a true glimpse of the pure life of these lovely creatures.
The idea for this park was first conceived by the late Dr Goh Keng Swee, then Minister for Finance, in 1968. Construction work started in January, 1969 and was expected to be completed in a year’s time. But it took around 3 years for the park to be constructed at an estimated cost of S$ 3.5 million and was opened to public on 3rd of January, 1971. In 2006, the park went through another round of modernisation at an estimated cost of S$10 million. During this renovation, the park got a new entrance plaza, Bango Burgers restaurant, an ice cream parlour, gift shop and a bird hospital. Jurong Bird Park is one of the most unique attractions in Singapore and one of the sole reason associated with it is that the park is open 7 days a week.
Exhibits
Waterfall Aviary
The Waterfall Aviary is apparently the second largest walk-in aviary in the world, covering 2 hectares and housing more than 600 free-flying birds of more than 50 species. The man-made 30-metre high waterfall is a highlight of this cavernous and richly forested space.
Dinosaur Descendants
This corner of the Park houses a section full of prehistoric-like flightless birds: ostriches, emus, rheas and one of the world’s most dangerous bird, the cassowary.
The Lory Loft
About nine storeys high and covering 3,000 square metres, the Lory Loft is the world’s largest walk-in flight aviary for the Australian natives – the lories and lorikeets. The ambience is similar to that of a rainforest valley in tropical Northern Australia.Visitors can engage with the chirpy and friendly lories while feeding them with a specially concocted nectar mix.
Penguin Coast
Located at the entrance of the bird park, this exhibit houses five species of penguins.
Penguin Coast is home to the residents of the Antarctic – Humboldt, rock hopper, macaroni and king penguins, which live in an indoor, climate-controlled den. The outdoor enclosure showcases African penguins, one of the few species that are adapted to the tropics.
World of Darkness
Asia’s first nocturnal bird house features a system of reverse lighting, converting day to night and vice versa. On display are birds such as the night herons, fish owls, boobook owls and snowy owls. It is akin to a quiet nocturnal walk along a starlit jungle path, watching birds in their nocturnal surroundings and hearing them beckon each other.
Pelican Cove
Visitors catch a glimpse of all seven species of pelicans, including the endangered Dalmatian pelican. There is a boardwalk where visitors can stroll and observe the birds. Visitors can also see the pelicans at the world’s first underwater viewing gallery for pelicans, where the birds scoop up fish at feeding time.
Flamingo Lake
The open concept Flamingo Lake is another must-see where hundreds of greater and lesser flamingos strut around one of the most picturesque sights in the Park.
This photograph doesn’t do justice to this part of the Park. You need to see it for yourself to appreciate the placid beauty of it.
Swan Lake
One can stroll along the tranquil Swan Lake and admire the beauty of the graceful white and black swans.
The day we visited had seen some rain early in the morning so I’m not sure if that is the reason but the lake looked quite muddy and murky to me. This one did not make for a pretty picture.
High Flyers Show
This bird show has the world’s largest number of performing birds in a single act. Besides highlighting the antics of talented birds like the mimicking cockatoos, this show is also a window onto the natural behaviour of birds like pelicans, flamingos and hornbills.
If you are a bird lover and have always admired the beauty of these innocent creatures of nature then Jurong Bird Park is the place to be. If you’re not, then you will definitely fall in love with them after visiting the park.
