BIRD SINGING IN INDONESIA: PETS, COMPETITION, OWNERS, BREEDING, CAPTURE

SONGBIRDS IN INDONESIA

white-rumped shama, highly sought-after bird for bird singing contests allaboutbirds

Keeping caged songbirds is a popular in Indonesia, especially on Java where it is a centuries-old tradition among men of wealth and power. According to an old saying a man must have five things to attain high status: a house, a horse or car, a traditional dagger known as a kris, a bird and last of all, a wife. Today, ainging contests and owning birds are popular. Recordings of champion birds are sold in stores.

Poor people sometimes catch sparrows and put them in makeshift cages they make themselves. An Indonesia scholar told the Los Angeles Times. “Javanese people love birds. But the way they love them is not by setting them free but by putting them in cage. The Javanese believe that birds can bring enlightenment, serving as a symbol of character.Some birds such as the lory are thought to ward off supernatural beings. Mostly they like to listen to tem sing. [Source: Richard C. Paddock and Dera Menra Sijabat, New York Times, May 13, 2020]

According to the largest ever survey of bird-keeping among households (2005) in Indonesia’s five major cities — Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Bandung and Semarang — birds were found to be urban Indonesia’s most popular pet (kept by 21.8 percent of survey households). Of bird-keeping households, 78.5 percent kept domestic species and/or commercially bred species and 60.2 percent kept wild-caught birds. [Source: Paul Jepson, Richard J. Ladle, Oryx, October 4, 2005]

Only a handful of the 10 species used in bird singing contests are bred in captivity. The rest are caught in the wild as chicks.Many markets in Indonesia, such as the Depok bird and wildlife market in the city of Solo, sell birds taken from the wild. Marison Guciano, the founder and executive director of the bird protection organization Flight, estimates that more than 20 million songbirds are captured by poachers each year, primarily on Sumatra. [Source: Richard C. Paddock, New York Times, April 18, 2020]

Bird Singing Competitions in Indonesia

Cages holding several Chinese Hwamei allaboutbirds

Entering songbirds into competitions is a popular recreation in Java and Bali and is gaining in popularity in Kalimantan and Sumatra). Over 1,000 songbird competitions are typically held each year in Indonesia, mainly on Java, and many draw thousands of people. The ompetitions are typically held in honor of community leaders, police chiefs and other officials, including Indonesia’s president. On an event in the early 2010s, Jano Gibson of AFP wrote: On a grassy field on the outskirts of Jakarta a young bird trainer is crouched beside an ornate cage, carefully spraying a fine mist of water over a canary called Samurai. The yellow songbird is being pampered as it waits to do battle in a bird singing contest.... When the call-up comes, Samurai's trainer carries its cage into the small outdoor arena and gently hangs it alongside more than 40 other cages containing chirping canaries. [Source: Jano Gibson, AFP, February 15, 2011]

As the contest gets underway, the men who have placed their birds in the arena begin to shout and whistle from behind a perimeter fence. They clap their hands, wag their fingers and wave their arms up and down. It looks like a scene from the trading floor of a stock exchange, where brokers use frantic hand signals to buy and sell. But this peculiar behaviour is designed to get the attention of the birds, which are trained to respond with continuous song. "Every contest venue is unique," says Indonesian Association for Bird Conservation secretary Binsar. "In some places people quietly listen to the birds while drinking tea. But in others, spectators are screaming. It's like listening to Metallica. It's crazy."

While the shouting makes it almost impossible for spectators to hear the songs of individual birds, six judges are stationed directly beneath the dangling cages, tuning into the chirps, whistles and tweets. After 20 minutes of competition, the judges confer and place a flag under the bird with the loudest and most interesting repertoire. Two men in the crowd high-five each other and go to collect their $200 prize. Samurai's trainer shakes his head, dismayed the judges did not declare his bird the winner.

Pelestari Burung Indonesia (PBI) is the main governing body for bird-keeping in Indonesia. Since the 1980s, it has trained and accredited songbird competition judges and most competitions seek PBI endorsement (use of their logo) as this brings status and an assurance of impartiality and integrity to their event. More recently, PBI has been actively expanding its breeder membership and organizing workshops and training events to promote knowledge-sharing and the creation of active breeder networks. [Source: Paul Jepson, Made Sri Prana, Sujatnika and Fahrul Amama, TRAFFIC Bulletin Vol. 22 No. 1 (2008)]

President's Cup Bird Singing Competition in Indonesia

bird singing contest in Yogyarkata allaboutbirds

In 2018, President Joko Widodo officiated at the annual President’s Cup. He entered his own murai batu into the competition, but lost to Dede Alamsyah, a car wash owner from Central Java. The President told reporters that he had offered to buy the winning bird, but Mr Dede had declined to sell it. Mr Dede valued the bird at $47,000 — enough to buy a large house. [Source: Richard C. Paddock, New York Times, April 18, 2020]

Richard C. Paddock wrote in the New York Times: In late January, thousands of bird aficionados, almost all of them men, flocked to a park for the South Jakarta Police Chief’s Cup. Sixty individual contests, organized by species and level of competitiveness, were held in two open-sided pavilions. Up to 77 birds were entered in each event. The top prize was $715.

These competitions bear little resemblance to hearing birdsong in the forest. It is more like attending a boxing match. Most owners believe their birds sing better under duress. After hanging their caged birds in a pavilion, owners gathered at a railing about 50 feet away, shouting at them to elicit their best songs and hurling abuse at judges for ignoring their birds. It was surprising the judges could hear the birds at all.

Addressing the crowd, the police chief, Bastoni Purnama, claimed that songbird competitions helped to save the species. (Mr. Marison disputes this.) “We are involved in conserving birds in Indonesia that are decreasing in number or even in danger of extinction,” Mr. Bastoni asserted.

Songbird Owners in Indonesia

One of the top winners at the event described above was a murai batu owned by Andika Asa, a breeder who won a $430 prize. Richard C. Paddock wrote in the New York Times: As he left the pavilion, a spectator offered him more than $8,000 for the bird. Mr. Andika declined, saying it was worth nearly twice that. Mr. Andika, 40, a former university administrator, said he had bred the bird himself and spent countless hours training his champion. Source: Richard C. Paddock, New York Times, April 18, 2020]

Yogyakarta bird contest contestants allaboutbirds

According to a 2005 study Paul Jepson and Richard J. Ladle: Households keeping wild-caught birds in all three conservation categories — native songbirds, native parrots and imported songbirds — were richer and better educated, whereas households owning commercially-bred species were richer but not better educated and households keeping domestic species did not differ in educational or socio-economic status. [Source:Paul Jepson, Richard J. Ladle, Oryx, October 4, 2005]

In the sample surveyed 56.1 percent of respondents said they obtained their birds from a bird market or door-to-door seller (who work on behalf of market traders), 46.8 percent from a friend or relative and 10 percent said they caught their birds. Analysis of the socio-economic attributes revealed that richer and more educated households buy from markets or door-to-door sellers, whereas poorer, less-well educated households are more likely to obtain their bird as a gift or from a friend.

Our finding that bird-keeping is most popular in Semarang is consistent with the thesis that bird-keeping is part of the Javan cultural identity. Semarang is located in central Java, considered to be the cultural heartland of the Javanese as it is the site of the ancient Majaphit kingdom and the cultural cities of Solo and Yogyakarta. However, it is also important to note that Semarang has the highest proportion of ethnic Chinese of any city in Indonesia, and Surabaya (the second ranking city for popularity of bird-keeping) also has a large ethnic Chinese population. Bird-keeping is a traditional pastime in China and the combination of proximity to central Java and large populations of ethnic Chinese probably explains the higher than expected incidence of bird-keeping in these two cities.

Training Birds Used in Bird Singing Contests

Jano Gibson of AFP wrote: Bird singing enthusiasts go to great lengths to achieve success at competitions. Duta Ong, for example, has three full-time staff to clean, feed and train his flock of songbirds. "You try to prepare the birds as much as you can," the wealthy telecommunications executive says. "But still, they are living things. Sometimes the performance is good, sometimes the performance is bad." [Source: Jano Gibson, AFP, February 15, 2011]

caged birds in a park in Yogyakarta

The 43-year-old started to collect birds about 10 years ago, when he longed for the sounds of nature he recalled as a child growing up in a rural Javanese village. Birdsong is rarely heard in the traffic-choked capital Jakarta. "You miss that situation where in the morning you can hear the birds singing, so you try to start by collecting birds," he said. "I just collected one by one, and then suddenly, last time I counted, I had 130." For Ong, the thrill of the contest and the prestige of victory outweighs any financial motivation. "Sometimes when my birds are in peak condition, a lot of rich men try to buy them from me. Sometimes they offer $20,000 but I say no. I am not trying to get money from this."

Captured birds are often kept in small cages and subjected to stressful conditions to enhance their performance. Many owners believe shouting at their birds makes them sing better. To build its stamina, Mr. Andika said, he and his son would slap the sides of its 20-foot-cage to make it fly 500 laps a day. He also brought in “master birds” of other species so it would learn their songs.[ Source: Richard C. Paddock, New York Times, April 18, 2020]

In some cases, birds may be forced into aggressive interactions or overtrained, leading to injury or death. The emphasis on finding the “best” singer reinforces the cycle of wild capture rather than sustainable breeding. Organizations such as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums highlight that these practices raise serious animal welfare concerns in addition to conservation risks [AZA].

Bird Singing Industry in Indonesia

A 2006 study by University of Oxford and BirdLife International estimated the industry generated more than $80 million annually through bird sales, cage production, and the supply of live feed such as insects. Since then, observers and conservation groups say the sector has expanded further, with larger markets, more organized competitions, and wider online trading. Bird markets, breeders, and accessory makers now form a complex supply chain across cities and rural areas. The trade involves both everyday hobbyists and high-end collectors. [Source: Jano Gibson, AFP, February 15, 2011]

The song bird industry includes tens of millions of dollars spent on the sale and trading of birds, millions spent on the collection, breeding and sale of live food (ants eggs, worms, crickets) and millions spent on the manufacture and selling of bird cages. Among other related sectors are bird markets, song contests and bird-breeding enterprises. [Source: Paul Jepson, Made Sri Prana, Sujatnika and Fahrul Amama, TRAFFIC Bulletin Vol. 22 No. 1 (2008)]

birds at Jatinegara Market in East Jakarta

Competitive bird singing remains central to the industry participants include professional trainers, brokers, and wealthy enthusiasts who invest heavily in birds with strong vocal performance. Some top competition birds can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, reflecting their reputation, lineage, and proven results. Judging typically focuses on song quality, variation, stamina, and style.

Earlier estimates suggested that nearly one million songbirds were kept in captivity in Indonesia, with around 75,000 people actively participating in competitions. More recent assessments indicate these numbers may be higher today, though precise figures are difficult to confirm due to the informal nature of much of the trade. The popularity of the hobby has also been amplified by social media, where owners showcase birds and arrange sales or contests. In many communities, keeping songbirds is both a pastime and a status symbol.

Birds Used in Bird Singing Contests

Especially sought after is the murai batu, known in English as a white-rumped shama, which can mimic the melodies of other songbirds. It is a species favored by many collectors, and one that is fast disappearing from Indonesia’s forests. [Source: Richard C. Paddock, New York Times, April 18, 2020]

Five of the nine species regularly found in competition are among the ten commonest species kept, namely 1) Canary Serinus canarius, 2) Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach, 3) Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina, 4) White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus, and 5) Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis. [Source: Paul Jepson, Made Sri Prana, Sujatnika and Fahrul Amama, TRAFFIC Bulletin Vol. 22 No. 1 (2008)]

According to a 2005 study Paul Jepson and Richard J. Ladle: The bird-keeping hobby revolves around a sophisticated appreciation of bird song, form and coloration. Birds with a pedigree of winning song contests or with a novel vocal or physical characteristic are particularly sought after. Commercial breeding can produce birds with pedigree or vocabularies and endearing behaviours. Marketing such birds as a superior ‘product’ to a wild-caught bird would generate business as well as conservation benefits. [Source: Paul Jepson, Richard J. Ladle, Oryx, October 4, 2005]

Certain birds have achieved celebrity-like status within this culture. One widely cited example is Zemorana, a champion orange-headed thrush known for its powerful and distinctive performance style, described by observers as “shaking like an earthquake.” The bird was reportedly sold for around $30,000. In 1998, hill mynas able to sing Ricky Martin’s World Cup theme song appeared on the market and fetched three or four times the normal price.

Birds Kept as Pets in Indonesia

According to Jepson and Ladle: the five bird groups and species of particular interest for conservation planning at the time, are (1) spotted dove Streptopelia chinensis and zebra dove Geopelia striata , which are popular pets and are commercially bred; (2) laughing-thrushes Garrulax spp., of which several species are imported from China, Indochina and South-east Asia; (3) parrots, which mostly originate in eastern Indonesia and of which several species are kept; (4) hill myna Gracula religiosa , which was proposed for inclusion on CITES appendix II.; and (5) straw-headed bulbul Pycnonotus eylanicus , which is close to extinction in the wild (BirdLife International, 2001). [Source: Paul Jepson, Richard J. Ladle, Oryx, October 4, 2005]

The incidence of keeping of hill myna and straw-headed bulbul was low. Domestic and commercially-bred species account for 65.8 percent of the total. Respondents named 38 species or species groups as being kept in addition to the five predefined response categories. Species in the two categories of least conservation concern were owned by 78.4 percent of households keeping birds, whereas 60.2 percent kept a species in the three categories of conservation concern (i.e. wild-caught). Native song-birds were by far the most popular category kept (86.8 percent), , of households keeping a bird) and the proportion classed as commercially-bred slightly exceeds that classed as wild-caught (44.5 percent vs 42.3 percent).

The survey findings confirm the cultural significance of bird-keeping in Indonesia. In traditional Javanese culture a bird in a cage symbolizes the importance of a hobby in a balanced life and the symbolic species is generally considered a dove, either the zebra dove or the spotted dove. We found that these two species, which constitute our commercially-bred native species category, are kept by 56 percent of households keeping a bird.

Captive Breeding of Songbirds in Indonesia

Captive breeding has become an increasingly important part of Indonesia’s songbird industry, both as an economic activity and as a potential response to pressure on wild bird populations. At a 2018 bird-singing contest, President Joko Widodo described bird breeding and related businesses as a boost to “the people’s economy.” He noted that the trade in birds, cages, feed, and medicine generates roughly $120 million annually. The visibility of breeding at major competitions reflects its growing role alongside traditional bird-keeping. Public promotion by officials has also encouraged investment in the sector. [Source: Richard C. Paddock, New York Times, April 18, 2020; Paul Jepson, Richard J. Ladle, Oryx, October 4, 2005; Paul Jepson, Made Sri Prana, Sujatnika and Fahrul Amama, TRAFFIC Bulletin Vol. 22 No. 1 (2008)]

Evidence suggests that captive breeding is already widespread in Indonesia. Surveys have found that many birds kept by hobbyists are domestically bred rather than taken directly from the wild. Bird farms, particularly in East Java, have expanded significantly and were even major buyers of advertising space in hobbyist magazines in the late 1990s. In addition, informal exchange networks are common, with birds often acquired as gifts or traded among enthusiasts. This indicates that small-scale, decentralized breeding plays a major role alongside commercial operations.

Several species are now bred in large numbers, especially those that are easier to reproduce in captivity. Common examples include canaries, the Zebra Dove, and lovebirds (Agapornis). As demand for songbirds has grown since the 1990s and wild populations have declined, breeders have expanded into more valuable and challenging species. These include the Straw-headed Bulbul, White-rumped Shama, Chestnut-capped Thrush, and Bali Starling. Some of these birds are threatened in the wild, making captive breeding particularly significant. However, wild capture still occurs, especially to obtain breeding stock.

The relationship between captive breeding and wild populations remains complex. Many breeders prefer to exchange birds within established networks, but some still purchase wild-caught individuals to introduce new genetic stock. In certain cases, birds used for breeding may have been captured decades earlier and passed through multiple owners. At the same time, factors such as habitat loss and illegal logging have made wild birds more accessible to trappers, increasing supply. This means captive breeding does not always fully replace wild capture, even as it expands.

Different business models operate within Indonesia’s bird-breeding sector. These range from independent breeders and small partnerships to larger commercial farms and village cooperatives. Hobbyists also breed common species at home and sell them locally. Innovation is often driven by skilled individuals experimenting with breeding and care techniques, which are shared through workshops and associations such as Pelestari Burung Indonesia. These flexible and scalable models have allowed the industry to grow rapidly, though balancing economic benefits with conservation goals remains an ongoing challenge.

Illicit Bird Trade in Indonesia

Only a handful of the birds used in the bird singing contests are bred in captivity. The rest are caught in the wild as chicks. Although the captive breeding of songbirds has sprung up as a backyard industry catching wild birds, usually illegal, is cheaper than breeding them. Richard C. Paddock wrote in New York Times: There is booming illicit business, backed by corrupt elements of the police and the military. Many unscrupulous dealers, using counterfeit leg bands and forged documents, pass off wild birds as ones they have bred themselves, Mr. Marison said. “For the songbird, the smuggling is massive and open,” he said. “Actually, songbird smuggling is considered to be a normal thing. The laundering process is happening right in front of our eyes.” [Source: Richard C. Paddock, New York Times, April 18, 2020]

As Sumatra’s songbird population has declined, Mr. Marison said, poachers have begun hunting in the forests of Malaysia and southern Thailand, particularly for the murai batu. Indonesian law enforcement officials acknowledge that some members of the police and military are involved in the illicit trade and help smugglers transport birds.

One trader, Cin Aidiwanto, 52, said he employed 20 hunters to catch birds for him in Sumatra’s largest national park, Kerinci Seblat. He finances their expeditions, he said, with food, cash and cigarettes. “I send my hunters to the forest and they return in 10 days,” he said. “Then I get all the birds they capture.” A poacher named Afrizal used a battered cellphone to lure birds with recorded birdsong.

Birds Threatened by the Illicit Songbird Trade

The rapid growth of Indonesia’s bird-singing hobby has raised serious concerns among conservation groups. High demand for caged birds has led to large-scale capture of wild species, putting pressure on native bird populations. Both common and rare birds are taken from forests and sold in markets or competitions. Over time, this has contributed to noticeable declines in some species in the wild. Conservationists warn that continued demand could push certain birds closer to extinction. [Source: Paul Jepson, Richard J. Ladle, Oryx, October 4, 2005]

Research has identified the pet trade as a major threat to birds across Asia. A study by BirdLife International found that capture for trade is the primary threat for at least 34 bird species in the region. Indonesia is considered a key hotspot for this problem due to its biodiversity and strong bird-keeping culture. The impact is not limited to endangered species; even once-common birds are becoming harder to find in some areas. This suggests that the scale of trapping is unsustainable.

Among the species that are considered at risk due to their popularity in competitions are White-rumped Shama, Straw-headed Bulbul and the Javan Green Magpie. The latter two are both classified as critically endangered and heavily targeted in Indonesia and Malaysia. Other threatened species include the Rufous-fronted Laughingthrush, which faces high trapping pressure, and the Orange-headed Thrush, another frequent competition bird. The Greater Green Leafbird has also become increasingly rare in the wild due to capture for contests [EurekAlert!].

Additional species are commonly traded or used in competitions, even if they receive less public attention. These include the Oriental Magpie-robin, Chestnut-capped Thrush, and Gray-cheeked Bulbul. In South America, the Saffron Finch is widely trapped for use in singing and fighting contests, especially in Brazil. The scale of this trade shows that the issue is not limited to one region but is part of a broader global pattern. Scientific and conservation studies have documented the growing pressure on these species [ResearchGate].

Combating the Illicit Bird Trade in Indonesia

Efforts to reduce the illicit bird trade in Indonesia focus on regulation, captive breeding, and changes in consumer behavior. International frameworks such as CITES set rules for protecting threatened species and restricting trade. However, enforcement is inconsistent due to limited staffing, funding, and oversight. Illegal capture and sales continue in many regions despite existing laws. [Source: Richard C. Paddock, New York Times, April 18, 2020; Paul Jepson, Richard J. Ladle, Oryx, October 4, 2005; Paul Jepson, Made Sri Prana, Sujatnika and Fahrul Amama, TRAFFIC Bulletin Vol. 22 No. 1 (2008)]

Conservation groups including BirdLife International identify bird-keeping as a large-scale activity that requires direct intervention. One approach is to promote captive breeding as a substitute for wild capture. This depends on producing birds that are affordable, accessible, and competitive in contests. Education campaigns are also used to encourage buyers to choose captive-bred birds over wild-caught ones. Surveys indicate that substitution is already occurring for some species but is incomplete. Additional proposals include certification systems for captive-bred birds. These programs aim to verify origin, improve breeding standards, and replace wild-caught birds in trade. Market-based approaches target consumer choice rather than relying solely on legal enforcement.

Controlled bird-singing contests have been introduced to support this shift. These events limit participation to captive-bred birds and often offer higher prize money and lower entry fees than open competitions. Organizers state that the objective is to reduce pressure on wild populations. At the same time, informal breeding networks and commercial farms continue to expand, increasing supply of domestically bred birds.

Law enforcement actions include market inspections, seizures, and releases of confiscated birds. Large trading centers such as Pramuka Bird Market remain active hubs for both legal and illegal sales. Officials report that organized trafficking networks operate across provinces, sometimes involving corruption among enforcement personnel. These factors limit the effectiveness of enforcement measures.

Policy measures have faced resistance from bird-keeping groups. In 2018, protection status for the White-rumped Shama was introduced and then withdrawn after protests. Regulations requiring proof of legal origin for competition birds are rarely enforced. Protected species continue to appear in markets and contests.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources:“Encyclopedia of World Cultures Volume 5: East/Southeast Asia:” edited by Paul Hockings, 1993; “Culture and Customs of Indonesia” by Jill Forshee, Greenwood Press, 2006; National Geographic, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Encyclopedia.com, Library of Congress, Indonesia Tourism website (indonesia.travel), Indonesia government websites, Live Science, The Conversation, The New Yorker, Time, BBC, CNN, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Google AI, Wikipedia, The Guardian and various websites, books and other publications.

Last updated April 2026