Mong Kok Bird Market
21/05/2018
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By Mr Nico Liu - Senior Security Officer
When I was a boy, I would go every Saturday with my grandfather to the Bird Market in Mong Kok. At that time, the market was on Hong Lok Street, a side-lane off Argyle Street, but urban development has since seen that street demolished and the Bird Market was subsequently relocated to Yuen Po Street where it still stands today.
Every Saturday, my grandfather would take his birds out in their cages, as Chinese people believe that caged birds need fresh air and the company of other birds to stay healthy. He would go to a park to meet his friends, and they would hang their cages near each other in the branches of the tress, where the birds would chirp incessantly while the old men would chat and admire each other’s feathered friends and their beautifully carved cages. The bird cages, carved from teak or bamboo with beautiful porcelain feeding pots were works of art in themselves. They weren’t cheap either, as bird fanciers would often save their hard-earned cash for months, to buy a cage worthy of their prized birds.
My grandfather had three birds, two White-Eyes and a Goldthread. The White-Eyes were my favourite as their feathers were so smooth, their movement so vigorous, and their calls so cheerful. Most Chinese people prefer small birds, but there are also larger birds on sale at the Bird Market, including parrots of varying sizes and colours.
I still enjoy an occasional trip to the Bird Market, which stretches for about 100 metres and is lined with over 70 stalls selling birds, birdcages, food, and everything you need to care for birds. It is truly a fascinating place to visit and perhaps when I am old and retired, I will be able to keep a couple of birds and take them out with my grandson.
When I was a boy, I would go every Saturday with my grandfather to the Bird Market in Mong Kok. At that time, the market was on Hong Lok Street, a side-lane off Argyle Street, but urban development has since seen that street demolished and the Bird Market was subsequently relocated to Yuen Po Street where it still stands today.
Every Saturday, my grandfather would take his birds out in their cages, as Chinese people believe that caged birds need fresh air and the company of other birds to stay healthy. He would go to a park to meet his friends, and they would hang their cages near each other in the branches of the tress, where the birds would chirp incessantly while the old men would chat and admire each other’s feathered friends and their beautifully carved cages. The bird cages, carved from teak or bamboo with beautiful porcelain feeding pots were works of art in themselves. They weren’t cheap either, as bird fanciers would often save their hard-earned cash for months, to buy a cage worthy of their prized birds.
My grandfather had three birds, two White-Eyes and a Goldthread. The White-Eyes were my favourite as their feathers were so smooth, their movement so vigorous, and their calls so cheerful. Most Chinese people prefer small birds, but there are also larger birds on sale at the Bird Market, including parrots of varying sizes and colours.
I still enjoy an occasional trip to the Bird Market, which stretches for about 100 metres and is lined with over 70 stalls selling birds, birdcages, food, and everything you need to care for birds. It is truly a fascinating place to visit and perhaps when I am old and retired, I will be able to keep a couple of birds and take them out with my grandson.