The Thai people's fashion of keeping wild birds in cages is the prime reason for their dwindling numbers in the forest. Being in high demand, certain rare birds in Thailand could soon be history.

Locals were stunned when in January 1968 an unfamiliar bird was netted by accident at a large swamp called Bueng Boraphet in Thailand's Nakhon Sawan province. The creature was all over the news and experts rushed to the area-to discover a new species had been found.


Nok Chao Fah Ying Sirindhorn

 Later, the founder named this rare bird after Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, a daughter of King Rama IX, the present King of Thailand. Today it is known as the Princess Bird or Nok Chao Fah Ying Sirindhorn. Ornithologists believe the endangered Princess Bird is on the verge of extinction and can now only be found around Bueng Boraphet.

The Princess Bird, and many others on the edge of extinction, are threatened by heavy hunting, netting and a loss of their natural habitat throughout Thailand.

In some cases, exotic birds have been treated as domestic animals and caged. And although some might think this protects the creatures from disappearing, many more argue it is not the answer. The Blue Magpie and Leafbird have been captured because of their colourful feathers. The talkative Hill Mynah and parakeet have been caged and taught human words, while the cooing sounds of the Zebra Dove, White-Rumped Shama and bulbul (nok parod) make them attractive to other bird fanciers.

These birds are now rarely found in the wilds of Thailand. Given their unnatural, caged existence their lives are often cut short. In fact, many die in the process of being captured and transported.

The Red-Whiskered Bulbul is one of the favourite pets of many southerners. Every other household seems to get their hands on this bird with a very special singing voice, which is known as Nok Krong Hua Juk-the caged bird with a crest. In the south of Thailand the bulbul is caged for competition. The proud owners of these creatures regularly get together to show off their caged, yet masterful sopranos.

Although the Red-Whiskered Bulbul was once commonly found throughout the country, over the past 10 years its sound has slowly disappeared from the southern forests of Thailand. It is ironic that despite this, the songs of the bulbul can be heard from so many southern bird cages.

Once the creature was on safe ground in the north of Thailand where until recent years it was left to feed in peace. But the huge demand from the southern provinces has resulted in northerners capturing the bulbul for the southern market. And that is not all. A Red-Whiskered Bulbul Contest was scheduled between August 11 and 15, 1999 as part of the Lanna Flower Exhibition in Chiang Mai. However, it was postponed after the Lanna Bird and Nature Conservation Club lobbied against it. Dr Rangsrit Kanjanavanit, the club's president, with help from the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand petitioned to stop the event.

Dr Rangsrit said: "Traditionally the Red-Whiskered Bulbul has been an integral part of Lanna. Its name is mentioned in many local songs and in many ancient tales. We may say this bird is a symbol of the old Lanna kingdom. "When Lanna people think about Nature they think about birds, and they are strongly against caging wild animals. That is why the bulbul lived happily with us for a long time."

The cancellation of the contest is unlikely to have much effect on the buying and selling of bulbuls, among the members of the North's bulbul club.

At the Kam Tiang market, small competitions are held occasionally despite a strong protest from conservation groups and locals. The handbook of the newly-formed group of collectors gives hints for finding a champion bird.

It says: "The most expensive one will have a powerful voice and be caught directly from the forest. Breeding a bulbul is uncommon because, genetically, the offspring don't automatically inherit the good voice of their parents. Inbred birds don't have a natural voice and are sold cheaply."The book also gives a list of prices one might pay for a bird, which can cost between a few hundred baht and as much as 150,000 baht. Their cages also come in many shapes, sizes, designs-and prices. Some are even made out of the best quality wood and decorated with pearls. Santana Pleumshoosak, chairman of the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand said: "The collectors' arguments that captivity is for conservation purposes and also creates jobs for the locals is ridiculous and unacceptable. "Not only do they encourage people to torture the birds, building cages from wood is just another way to justify deforestation."As the fad of owning Red-Whiskered Bulbul proliferates, an increasing number of people in the Chiang Mai area are now involved in the business of netting birds or stealing chicks from nests. The fashion in the North, plus the ever-growing southern market means as many as 2,000 birds are illegally transported south every month. Although many dealers claim to breed the bulbuls, the evidence from the forest suggests otherwise.

Besides, the Red-Whiskered Bulbul's mating behaviour is complex and cannot be accomplished in the limited space of a cage. Neither are eggs likely to be laid under such stressful conditions.

Between 1961 and 1963, bulbul owners used the birds in fighting contests. Owners would pitch them against each other and the fiercely territorial creatures would do battle in a small cage until one was left rocking in foetal position. These competitions were overtaken by the less bloody singing contests in 1972, and the bulbul became as well known as the Zebra Dove.

Mr Santana said: "By hanging two cages close together, the bulbul will belt out a song to protect its territory. While the owners may actually enjoy the song, they might not actually realise the birds are agitated."

The 1992 Wildlife Conservation Act included the Red-Whiskered Bulbul on its list of protected species. Under the law owners needed a Thai government document allowing them to keep the bird. Anyone not following this rule faced up to four years in prison. Moreover, owners needed to carry this document and be able to present it whenever they enter their bird in a competition.

But the law has not been translated into action. This is a common fact in corrupt Thailand. It is a known fact that the caged bulbuls hanging on many southern terraces outnumber the legal licences which have been issued. It is also disappointing that so many contests are encouraged and even funded by the public sector.

Dr Rangsrit said: "I don't encourage people to breed wildlife. It is the wrong way to solve the problem. We need to change attitudes towards the captivity of wild animals. To express appreciation and kindness to these animals is to leave them in their natural environment, not to keep them in restricted areas."For those wanting to encourage and support the existence of creatures such as the bulbul, his advice is to create a healthy and secure environment around your home. He said: "With lots of trees and fruit around your house, these birds will come to you. Moreover, if they feel the place is safe, you will see them regularly in your backyard."Sadly we have many examples of wild birds which have vanished from our land. Mr Santana pointed to the Straw-Headed Bulbul. He said: "This species was often seen in the lowland forest of the southern region. People captured them and now we can't find them any more in Thailand. If someone wants this bulbul now they have to get them from Malaysia."Gurney's Pitta, famous for its colourful feathers, has also vanished. Decades after it disappeared it was again spotted at Khao Pra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary in Krabi province. This area may be the last place in Thailand to find it. But since people are willing to pay high prices, and others are willing to trespass, even sanctuaries cannot guarantee a species' survival.

The Gurney's Pitta, Princess Bird, Straw-Headed Bulbul and Red-Whiskered Bulbul are all facing the same fate: Extinction.

If you are in Thailand and you come across an illegal trade of wild birds, please inform: