Beak season

Business at Lalukhet’s bird market soars as buyers and sellers strike deals on Sundays

Every Sunday, the Lalukhet bird market in Karachi offers exotic birds to the crowds that flock the place. As one enters the market, they are greeted by sounds from a pandemonium of parrots, a flock of pigeons and a raft of ducks with vendors chanting their demanding price at intervals.

Birds are crammed into cages so tightly that they are unable to even spread their wings. PHOTO: AYSHA SALEEM

The African grey parrot is the centre of attention at the market. PHOTO: AYSHA SALEEM

Twenty-two-year-old Ali, who purchased a parrot from the market almost a year ago, roams around in a blue shirt and white shorts with his pet perched obediently on his right shoulder. The parrot bites at his neck and Ali gently moves it to his other shoulder and walks ahead. “I have reared him and taught him how to speak,” he says, gently caressing the parrot while it chirps “mithu beta”. “Now I want to sell it for Rs8,000,” he adds.

Buying and reselling birds for a profit at the Lalukhet market is common practice. Ibrahim, a vendor at the market, claims, it’s the “most reasonable” market for purchasing birds which remains open till late in the evening. “If you called it Asia’s biggest market for birds, you won’t be wrong,” he says, adding that the market attracts buyers and sellers from all over the country. “From Rs200 to Rs2 million, birds of all prices are available here.”

A big grey parrot chained to the bike of his owner Toqeer is the centre of attention at the market. The African grey parrot is considered to be the most intelligent talking parrot in the world. “He won’t only repeat what you say, he also gives you a reply,” the owner says, sharing his hopes of attracting the right price for his smart pet.

The Lalukhet bird market in Karachi is not a place for those who believe caging birds is cruel. PHOTO: AYSHA SALEEM

The sale of birds is a permanent means of livelihood for some bird breeders. PHOTO: AYSHA SALEEM

However, not everyone profits from the sale. Asad, a pigeon breeder who had brought along his favourite Jacbobin pigeon, did not succeed in attracting a buyer. “They are the most beautiful pigeons you will find in Karachi,” he says. “Hopefully next Sunday I will sell the pair for Rs30,000.”Since the market attracts hundreds of bird enthusiasts who are willing to spend a fair amount of money for the right purchase, many vendors travel long distances to reach their target market. “I collect these ducks from a fish pond in Thatta and sell them here in Karachi every Sunday,” says Sohail. He has 13 local ducks on display in a small wired cage and demands roughly Rs2,000 for the birds.

Coloured chicks for sale at the bird market. PHOTO: AYSHA SALEEM

This market might not be for those bird-lovers who believe the animal should not be caged but for others a trip may prove to be worth the ride.

Oonib Azam is a Karachi-based reporter for The Express Tribune

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, December 20^th, 2015.