Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park ~ the haven for rare species

2 Jurong Hill
Singapore 628925

beautiful macaws at the entrance of the park

You know what? The visit to Singapore is incomplete if you miss the best and one of the 'world’s largest birdpark sanctuary in the world'. I assure you, its worth of your time!!! Varieties of birds from the smallest to the descendants of the dinosaurs such as ostrich, emu, and the like have a safe haven in here. I am a nature lover and seeing these lovely creatures in their semi-natural habitat is a captivating experience. May not be a complete selections but they have accumulated most of the birds that you might not see yet for real and they meticulously protected it here. It is an open concept-park that house some of the most beautiful birds like the flamingos, the scarlet ibises, the birds of paradise, the hornbills, the toucans, the macaws, the crowned pigeons and a lot more, all of whom can be seen/encountered up-close.

Murals at the back replicates the habitat of macaws in the wild.

Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park  is located way out of the city center. Thanks GOD the weather was perfect when we visited as sometimes the weather is notoriously unpredictable in this tropical country. We did travel to Boon Lay (EW27) via MRT from Kallang Station (EW10) and alight an SBS Transit bus number 194 @ Boon Lay Bus Interchange.

the reason why we waited for 10 minutes just to have this pic ahahaha

We arrived at the park around 10:00 AM and a huge signage "Jurong Bird Park" welcomes us right away. My gosh! There were already many people queuing to have a snap and we patiently wait for our turn. For almost 10 minutes of waiting under the sun, at last, we have our picture taken with a glass of sweat on our forehead (ahahaha!).

these orchids greeted us when we get in.

On our way to the main entrance, wide varieties of orchids were delicately arranged that serves as an archway to greet visitors. Just an observation, wherever we go, from airport, to malls, to parks, orchids can be seen everywhere. They were amazingly beautiful. Pretty sure if my mom is here she will truly love the place! She has wide selections of orchids at home. But one thing I promised; I will surely bring Mama and Papa in here soon (help me Lord please hehehe!). 

Ticket counter

Anyway, Balong and myself were so excited to get in and we headed directly to the ticketing area. We have planned to visit Singapore Zoo, Singapore Jurong Bird Park and Singapore Night Safari; thus, we end up buying the 'Park Hopper 3-in-1 combo'. It cost us only SGD 69.00, around P2,300.00 or USD50.00 per person.

Hawk's Cafe where they serve my fave hainanese chicken rice (yummy!)

It’s almost 12 and we decided to grab our early lunch first before roaming around the park. Restaurants of your choice from local to western cuisine can be found here. We have enough of burgers and sausages, so, we did try the local cuisine at "Hawks Café" just in the left entrance of the park. The food and drinks are very affordable and we ordered the infamous Hainanese Chicken Rice that cost us around SGD 20.00 for two. However, if you really wanted to have a slice of burgers, chicken wings, and pasta then Bongo Burgers which is situated opposite to Hawks Café is the place to hang on.

Several souvenir shops just in the entrance

This is the signage we follow when we roamed around the park., so cute, ayt? (hehehe!)

It is a 20+ hectare park therefore expects lots of walk (as in A LOT!). Please wear you comfy shoes and dress. Should you want to bring additional dress please do so. If you are prune to insects then better apply an insect repellant before going in to stay away from bites and allergies. Don't forget to bring a rain coat as the weather is so unpredictable. If you forgot, then there are so many kiosks for you to step on just in case. To keep dehydrated, carrying a bottle of water is advisable as humid strikes everytime. If you don't like walking, they have a tram that cost you SGD 5 for unlimited ride. We did hop-on going to Lory Loft and quite good, so refreshing (ahahaha!). They have panorail but it was out of service when we went there, I've heard they will pull out the service. Hopefully not, as this service really adds beauty to the park.

The tickets we bought. The pelican stub is mine while the mandarin duck ticket  owns by Balong hehehe

The birdpark have created several exhibits that all visitors will truly adore. They have penguin coast, the flamingo pool, the parrot paradise, the world of darkness, the Southeast Asian aviaries, the royal ramble, the hornbill and toucans, the riverine, the pelican cove, the swan lake, the flightless birds and a lot more.

The Penguin Coast, Lory loft, World of Darkness, and Flamingo Pool will be posted separately as they comprises so many features that are worth sharing. 

These cockatoos in the entrance where you can take pictures for free with the help of the official photographer.

Military Macaw and Scarlet Macaws ready for pictures =)

The beauty of the brightly colored Sun Conure.

Our journey starts with 'Parrot Paradise' just in the entrance adjacent to souvenir shops. If you love parrots then this is best for you to check out. Rainbows of lovely macaws, cockatoos and parakeets beautify the exhibits. There are so many varieties for your eyes to enjoy. In this exhibit, you are allowed to have a picture with these lovely creatures either you will use your camera or you'll pay from an official photographer

The main entrance to the vicinity of the Royal Ramble

Please stop, i want to have a picture of you, (ahahaha!)

Have you checked the crown difference of pigeons in the two pictures above?

Next is the 'Royal Ramble' which is the home of the crowned pigeons ~ the world's largest pigeons. It's the first time I encountered this in my whole life. Sorry for my ignorance yet I haven't seen this bird even in pictures… HONESTLY!!!!!!! Don't get me wrong please; I've seen an ordinary pigeon of course, yet not this charming one (ahahaha!)… They have 3 varieties in here, the Common Crowned Pigeon, the Victoria Crowned Pigeon and the Scheepmaker's Crowned Pigeon. It's hard to distinguished one from the other because they all look the same even their distinct navy blue color. However, if you look closely to their crowns you will notice the difference.

The only picture we have since we are running out of battery (ahahaha!)

The 'Birds of Paradise' sanctuary is located just beside Crowned Pigeon House. When we entered the vicinity, it was really hard to find these birds as most of them were hiding in the trees and skulking in the bushes. I don't want to disturb them since they were so elusive, sensitive birds. We waited for few minutes and at last we have a nice view snap that is worth the wait. One shot is enough for us to enjoy the beauty of this species.  They have 5 varieties to explore yet we decided to leave as we are running out of time (ahahaha!)

My fave section in the park where my fave character Rafael from the animated movie 'Rio" stays here (ahahaha!)

The 'Hornbill and Toucans exhibit' is next. This haven is considered as the 'world's largest collection of Southeast Asian Hornbills' and abode to a wide variety of South American toucans. Have you seen the animated movie 'RIO', then Rafael's relative is sheltered in here (ahahaha!). I LOVE this species of bird because their beak is so colorful.  When we passed around, most of them were flying noisily and not afraid to have a pose with us, so boastful I may say (ahahaha!). Unfortunately, our camera is running out of battery, thus, we limit our shots to 3 snaps per species, pick the best one and post! (ahahaha!) Their huge enclosure is just nearby to Lory loft and Royal ramble.

the saddlebill stork

The Shoebill's conspicuous bill is its most well-known feature.

These area is home to 10 different types of ducks.

'The Riverine' that home to various species of waterfowl, fishes and turtles awaits after the Hornbill and Toucan exhibit. This area gives an illusion of fast flowing and cascading river where visitors have the unique opportunity to see these waterfowl swimming and diving. If you love the species of ducks then more than 10 species can be seen here.

There is just behind the boardwalk, where visitors can stroll along and observe these birds.

'The Pelican Cove' is next, hmmmm it's my first ever encounter with these lovely bird for real (am not kidding ~ ahahaha!). As what other tourist said that this spot have complete selections of pelican (7 species to be exact!) yet I can't barely identify one from the other, they seems the same! (ahahaha!). My apology as this is just a mere observation of a mere visitor (ahahaha!). Within the area is the 'world's first underwater viewing gallery for pelicans' for you to see them up-close while they were swimming or catching fish. You can stroll around the boardwalk and get nearer with the birds. They are so tamed at some point and were not hiding to visitors instead showing off their large beak and shouts like turkey (sounds like ~ ahahaha!).

Please pleaseeeeeeee look at me pleaseeeee i am begging you ahahahaha!!!

There you go!!!! thank you for granting my request ahahaha!!!

Just beside the Pelican Cove are the varieties of 'Swan Species'. They have Black-necked Swan, the mute Swan, and the Black swan. It is truly refreshing to watch them swimming amidst the tranquil ambiance. Visitors can enjoy a grand view of the lake from the observation deck that will allow them to get close to the water edge and observe these graceful birds.

emu

And finally, 'The Flightless Birds Exhibit' which is the last attractions we've seen. You should check it out and beware as these descendants of dinosaur can harm you really (ahahaha!). Ostritch is a kind of bird not to mess around or else you know where to find yourself later (ahahaha!). Most of these birds were properly enclosed yet please observe cautiously as it scares me bigtime (ahahaha!). They have this 'drum' sounds that feels like 'hey stay away from me!' (ahahaha!). Am so obedient and we did left in an instant (ahahaha!). Within the corner, they have also double-wattled cassowary, greater and common rheas, and emu.

The home of critically endangered Bali Mynah

The tallest man made waterfall in African Waterfall Aviary.

There are still so many features in the birdpark that is worth to share but better see it for yourself and I leave that for you to explore. One thing I assure you, it's one experience not to forget. There are so many endangered species that find their home in here. Should you like to donate to preserve these birds, visit their official website and they will instruct you what to do.

The double-crested cormorant

The pink spoonbill

So there you go my apology for a very long litany. Hope you enjoyed what I wrote.  As what I've said earlier, the Penguin Coast, Lory loft, World of Darkness, and Flamingo Pool will be posted separately as they comprises so many features that are worth sharing. 

the enclosure of scarlet ibises.

 Coming up next is the Penguin Coast...

the scarlet ibises

Cheerrrrrrrriooooooooooooossssssssssss!!!

Enan signing off…





:)