In a few days, The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will celebrate the 15th anniversary of its return to China. Starting from today, we bring you a series of reports on the metropolis. This time we travel to Bird Street to talk with Hong Kong's avian specialists.

Tourists may walk right past this spot amidst the flap and flutter of crowded Kowloon, but the eagle-eyed will definitely take note.

This is Bird Street, and as its name suggests, it sells, well you can probably guess.

Here we met long-time shop owner Mr. Huang, who shared with us his own tale.

Bird vendor Mr. Huang said, "It used to be good business to feed the family by selling birds. But now it isn’t working anymore. I am still doing it because I am retired and my children all are grown up. So that allows me to keep the store here."

This bird cage is made by a specialist in Guangzhou, and costs 5,000 Hong Kong Dollars - that’s over 600 US dollars. Not many people are in the cage-making business so today Mr. Chen is a rare bird indeed. He is 70 years old and has been making bird cages for 50 years.

Bird cage maker Mr. Chen said, "People come to me when their cage is broken or needs repainting. It’s a pity I can't find someone to pass my skills on to. Young people in Hong Kong only study and don't practice these kinds of skills anymore. I can't even find an apprentice."

It's not just the cage-making business, though. The whole bird market is declining. Some attribute that to recent bird-flu breakouts in Hong Kong.

But that's not deterring vendors like Mr. Huang.

Mr. Huang said, "I don’t want to give up this business because I love my job. I may take two or three days off during the Chinese New Year. But I can't leave these birds alone. They need food and water."

It's just that spirit of persistance that keep this street going. And without it, we wouldn’t have the sweet sounds of birding to break up the hustle and bustle of city life.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)