Jurong Bird Park

Jurong Bird Park is a tourist attraction in Boon Lay, Singapore. The bird park, managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, covers an area of 0.2 square kilometers (49 acres) at the western foot of Jurong Hill, the highest point in the Jurong region.

History

The idea of a permanent bird exhibit was first conceived by the late Dr Goh Keng Swee, then Minister for Finance, in 1968. During a World Bank Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Dr Goh visited its zoological garden and was impressed with its free-flight aviary. He set out to ensure that Singaporeans would have a place where they could escape from urban life and relax with nature.

On 3 January 1971, Jurong Bird Park, built at a cost of S$3.5 million, was opened to the public.

Jurong Bird Park is now a world-famous bird zoo where there are specimens of magnificent bird life from around the world, including a large flock of flamingos. It is currently the world's largest bird park in terms of the number of birds and second largest both in the number of bird species and land area (after Germany's Weltvogelpark Walsrode). There are 5,000 birds of 400 species in Jurong Bird Park, of which 29 are of threatened species.

In 2006, Jurong Bird Park completed an S$10 million makeover. With the upgrading, the park boasts a new entrance plaza, a park-owned and managed Bongo Burgers restaurant, an ice cream parlor, a gift shop and a bird hospital.

Exhibits

African Waterfall Aviary

The African Waterfall Aviary is the second largest walk-in aviary in the world, covering 2 hectares (4.9 acres) and including more than 600 free-flying birds of more than 50 species. The aviary is named after the 30-metre (98 ft) tall Jurong Falls, one of the world's tallest man-made waterfalls. Species include the golden-breasted starling, turacos and the hoopoe.

Dinosaur Descendants

In one corner of the zoo there is a section full of flightless birds: ostriches, emus, rheas and cassowaries are the residents of this exhibit.

Southeast Asian Birds Aviary

Visitors can see the largest collection of Southeast Asian birds, which has over 200 species. There are large, central walk-in aviaries and peripheral aviaries housing the more delicate and territorial birds. A thunderstorm is simulated at noon each day, followed by a cool, light drizzle. Territorial species are kept in large cages, while species that can coexist with each other (fruit doves and pigeons being two examples) are left to roam freely in the aviary.

Lory Loft

About nine storeys high and covering 3,000 square meters (32,000 sq ft), the Lory Loft is the world's largest walk-in flight aviary for lories and lorikeets, with over 1,000 free-flying lories. The ambience is similar to that of a rainforest valley in tropical Northern Australia. Visitors can offer the lories a special nectar mix.

Penguin Coast

Houses five species of penguins within 1,600 square meters (17,000 sq ft). Featuring a 21-metre (69 ft) tall Portuguese galleon façade and designed to resemble a ship, the interior of Penguin Coast is constructed with timber beams and wooden flooring. Penguin Coast is home to the Humboldt, rockhopper, macaroni and king penguins, which live in an indoor, climate-controlled den with access to an outdoor enclosure showcasing African penguins, one of the few species that are adapted to the tropics. Joining them are cape shelducks and gulls.

World of Darkness

Asia's first nocturnal bird house features a system of reverse lighting, converting day to night and vice versa. On display are 60 birds from 17 species, like the night herons, fish owls, boobook owls and snowy owls. It is akin to a quiet nocturnal walk along a starlit jungle path, watching birds in their nocturnal surroundings and hearing them beckon each other.

Pelican Cove

Visitors catch a glimpse of all seven species of pelicans, including the endangered Dalmatian pelican. There is a board-walk where visitors can stroll and observe the birds. Visitors can also see the pelicans at the world's first underwater viewing gallery for pelicans, where the birds scoop up fish at feeding time.

Shows

High Flyers Show

This bird show has the world's largest number of performing birds in a single act. Besides highlighting the antics of talented birds like the mimicking cockatoos, this show is also a window onto the natural behaviour of birds like pelicans, flamingos and hornbills.

Kings of the Skies Show

Visitors watch birds of prey such as eagles, hawks and falcons, who will fly in loops and soar above the treetops. Visitors also learn about falconry as these birds are put through their paces in a simulated hunt.

Things to do

Lunch with the Parrots

Visitors enjoy a parrot show over lunch in front of the flamingo lake.

Birds Eye Tour

One of the most indulgent ways to enjoy our Park is through our guided VIP buggy tours. Let our knowledgeable personal guides take you to see the best our Park has to offer and a whole lot more. Great for cozy groups of up to 7

Bird Discovery Centre

Lead your little ones to the Bird Discovery Centre and they’ll come out an avian expert. Here they get to see, touch and discover for themselves everything they’ve always wanted to know, or perhaps never even thought to ask, about birds.

See a replica of the 2.6-metre skeleton of what used to be the second largest bird in the world.  And don’t miss the tiniest, right next to it! How do feathers help a bird fly, and how are they exactly practical for birds?

Green Eggs and More; Stroll through 12 sections of the living classroom and discover an entire flock of amazing avian facts. See our egg-cellent egg collection from more than 250 bird species. You probably know that they come in different sizes. But have you ever seen a green or a blue egg? Here you can.

Birdz of Play

Toddlers and kids can wade into the shallow pool for hours of fun with the water sprays and slides or flap over to the dry area to play with see-saws and swings.

Older kids from 5 to 12 can expect a much wilder time as they try to outdo each other in a squirt ‘fight’ or wait under the giant tipping bucket for the ultimate soak experience!* Kids simply love it. At the dry play area, kids can soar like a bird with the Flying Fox, or put their strength to the test with the Disc Challenge.

Snack Shop & Relax

Mums, dads and everyone else who need a little time-out can chill out at the multi-purpose pavilion. Dig in to an ice-cold treat of Birdz of Play Café ice cream, or take home some gifts from the Birdz & Wormz shop. We’ve even got gear that the kids may need for their playtime at the wet and dry play areas.

Transport

Jurong Bird Park can be accessed on SBS Transit Service 194 from Boon Lay Bus Interchange, which has connections to the Mass Rapid Transit at Boon Lay MRT station.

Opening Hours

8.30 am to 6 pm

Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurong_Bird_Park