Yogyakarta Bird Market

The Ngasem Market near the Kreton complex in Yogyakarta is also better known as the bird market as it is the bird traders that occupy one third of the Market. The Bird Market has been operating since 1809. Buying of birds was considered to be a status symbol among the noblemen in Yogyakarta and this is how the Market gained its popularity. The Market sells birds of many species and the marketplace buzzes with their sweet chirping and glows with their bright colors.

The Birds: The bird sellers sit with their stock on the left side of the entrance. The Turtledove had been popular to the noblemen in the past and it is still one of the most special items in that market. There are also Bulbuls, Orioles, Parakeet, Prenjak and Emprits. You can also buy owls and eagles at the rate of 35000 rupiah and 350000rupiah respectively. You can also buy the necessary equipments that are required for keeping a bird as a pet such as cages and stands. The quality of a bird is often determined by hearing its chirp and the buyers witness the bird chirping competitions before making their choice.

Bird Shows: If you are not interesting in caging a bird, you can watch the various interesting bird shows that take place in the market. There are demonstrations of doves that return to their cages after flying away to a long distance. You can also get some valuable tips on bird keeping for free!

Other animals: Apart from birds, the Market sells other animals as well. These include snakes, reptiles and fishes of various kinds. There are snake sellers who claim that the snakes with them are caught right from their habitats. There are almost all kinds of snakes from the harmless water snakes to the venomous cobras and the dangerous pythons. Also, you can buy reptiles such as turtles and iguana. The fishes are sold at 1000 rupiah each. There are beautiful aquariums and other containers available in the market for keeping the fishes as well. There are also cats, dogs, chickens and rabbits sold in the market.