Jurong Bird Park is a world-renowned bird park located in Singapore. It is home to over 5,000 birds across 400 different species, making it one of the largest and most diverse bird parks in the world. There are several things that make Jurong Bird Park special and worth visiting.
Largest Collection of South East Asian Birds
One of the things that makes Jurong Bird Park stand out is that it has the largest collection of South East Asian birds in the world. South East Asia has incredible bird diversity, with over 1,300 species identified in the region. At Jurong Bird Park, visitors can see many of these native bird species up close, including hornbills, kingfishers, sunbirds, fairy bluebirds, tailorbirds, and leafbirds. Some rare and threatened South East Asian species kept at the park include the Bali myna, Java sparrow, straw-headed bulbul, and Oriental pied hornbill.
Shows and Presentations
Jurong Bird Park offers several special bird shows and presentations throughout the day. These interactive and educational shows give visitors a chance to learn more about birds and their behaviors. The park’s major shows include:
- High Flyers Show – This free-flight bird show features eagles, hawks, and other raptors swooping closely over the audience.
- Lory Loft – Visitors can feed and interact with colorful lories and lorikeets in this large walk-in aviary.
- Pelican Cove – Watch the pelicans being fed and display their pouching skills.
- Penguin Coast – African penguins waddle and swim around an outdoor pool habitat.
- Kings of the Skies – A showcase of the park’s largest bird species including ostriches, cassowaries, and emus.
Large Walk-in Aviaries
One of the most immersive experiences at Jurong Bird Park is exploring its huge walk-in aviaries. These include:
- Waterfall Aviary – Over 600 birds from 100 species fly freely around this habitat with a 30-metre man-made waterfall.
- Jungle Jewels Aviary – Showcases birds from the rainforest like macaws, toucans, and turacos.
- African Wetlands – Features birds from African lakes and rivers such as flamingos, spoonbills, storks, and ibises.
- Lory Loft – The world’s largest lory flight aviary where guests can feed and interact with lories and lorikeets.
By walking through these large aviaries, visitors can really feel immersed in the birds’ environments and get up close sightings.
Breeding and Conservation
Jurong Bird Park plays an important role in avian conservation through its breeding programs. The park has successfully bred threatened species like the Bali myna, Luzon bleeding-heart dove, and Guam kingfisher. Its penguin breeding program is one of the most successful in the world. All the breeding aims to restock wild populations of endangered birds. The park also researches bird nutrition and healthcare to improve care for its collection and conservation efforts.
Interactive Attractions
To give visitors a super fun and interactive experience, Jurong Bird Park has great attractions like:
- Birdz of Play – Asia’s largest bird-themed playground for kids.
- Wings of Asia – An indoor aviary with birds from Asia that kids can approach on footpaths.
- Ng Boon CafĂ© – Dine surrounded by free-flying birds that can come right to your table.
- Behind-the-Scenes Tours – Go on a guided tram tour to see the veterinary and curing areas.
- GO GREEN Walk – See the park’s sustainability features like the solar-power system.
Special Exhibits and Events
Throughout the year, Jurong Bird Park hosts special exhibits and events that give visitors unique experiences. Some examples include:
- Flamingo Watch – See the flamingos up close during their morning feeding session.
- Breakfast with the Birds – Enjoy a continental breakfast at the Penguine Coast.
- Birds n Buddies – Kids can interact with cockatoos and feed lorikeets.
- Trick or Tweet – A Halloween event with candy for kids.
- Christmas Birdorama – Celebrate the holiday season with festive birds shows, meet-and-greets with mascots, and photo opportunities.
These special events give people new reasons to visit Jurong Bird Park throughout the year.
Educational Opportunities
Jurong Bird Park provides great educational opportunities, especially for kids. There are info panels all around the park describing bird species and behaviors. Guided tram rides and walking tours give guided educational experiences. The park also offers enrichment programs where students visit behind-the-scenes areas, observe training sessions, prepare diets, and even get involved in releasing birds back into the wild. These activities teach kids about bird conservation. Adults can enroll in photography courses and other workshops to deepen their learning.
Location in Singapore
Jurong Bird Park’s location makes it easily accessible for visitors. It’s situated right within the lush greenery of Singapore’s Jurong Lake Gardens. The park is near the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, offering opportunities to experience other attractions. Jurong Bird Park is also conveniently located near public transportation like the Boon Lay MRT station and several bus routes. Its central location in western Singapore makes it easier for both residents and tourists to visit.
Part of Wildlife Reserves Singapore
Jurong Bird Park is part of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which also operates the Singapore Zoo, River Safari, and Night Safari. This means visitors can experience multiple wildlife parks in Singapore during the same trip. Packages are available to visit multiple Wildlife Reserves parks at a bundled rate. All the parks have similar education and conservation goals, so visitors can align their experience with these values.
World-Class Amenities
As a world-leading bird park, Jurong Bird Park has excellent amenities for visitors. These include:
- Clean, accessible restrooms and nursing rooms
- Covered seating areas to escape sun and rain
- Food and beverage outlets – cafes, restaurants, snack carts
- Souvenir shops with bird-themed gifts
- Strollers, wheelchairs, and lockers available for rent
- Trained and friendly staff to assist visitors
The amenities make a day at Jurong Bird Park enjoyable and comfortable for all.
Affordable Pricing
Despite being a world-class attraction, Jurong Bird Park maintains relatively affordable ticket pricing. Normal adult admission is only $35 SGD. Discounts are available for seniors, children, students, and Singaporeans. Annual passes provide great value for repeat visitors. Combo deals with other Wildlife Reserves parks allow experiencing multiple attractions at a bundle cost. The pricing makes Jurong Bird Park accessible to visitors on different budgets.
Conclusion
With its vast collection of birds, immersive aviaries, breeding programs, interactives shows, educational opportunities, and great amenities, Jurong Bird Park offers an exceptionally enriching experience. Its central location in Singapore and affordable pricing make it easy to access. Families, bird enthusiasts, tourists, and anyone looking for a memorable day out will find Jurong Bird Park to be a world-class destination. The park’s conservation efforts also give visitors the chance to learn about and support protecting endangered birds worldwide.