Bird enthusiasts seek market in federal capital

Currently, those wishing to purchase birds need to travel to Rawalpindi’s College Road

ISLAMABAD: ‘Birds of a feather flock together’ – so goes the overused proverb we all learn in school. The bird enthusiasts of Islamabad, however, wish they had a spot in the federal capital to flock at and fulfill the demands of their cherished hobby.

“There is no shop in Islamabad where anyone who wishes to buy a bird can do so,” complained bird enthusiast Shahid. “We have to travel all the way to College Road in Rawalpindi to purchase birds,” said Muzammil, another hobbyist keen on birds. “We feel there should be a proper market to cater to bird enthusiasts’ needs,” added bird owner Mudassir.

All three and others like them joined a chorus in demanding the Islamabad administration establish such a place so that they can pursue their hobby without traveling to capital’s twin.

Inflation too, it appears, has crushed the dreams of many less well-to-do bird enthusiasts. “A pair of Java sparrows or quails can set you back by Rs2,000,” said a purveyor of birds. “Australian parrots too cost Rs1,000,” he said.

“We have huge cages at our homes where we keep and breed birds,” he said, adding that grown-up birds were later sold to different shopkeepers with good profit margins varying from breed to breed.

“I almost sell around fifteen birds a day,” said bird-seller Sami. “People mostly like to buy pigeons as they can easily adjust in Pakistani climate,” he told The Express Tribune. “We don’t sell wild pigeons anymore since the government has banned their sale,” he added.

Director Livestock Dr Shahid Sajjad warned that birds are prone to climatic diseases. “They catch different diseases in extreme summers as well as winters,” he said. “One must be very watchful in order to prevent them from a disease risk.”

According to Dr Shahid, medicines for birds are easily available in the twin cities. He added that the Punjab government has also established a bird hospital at livestock headquarters in Shamsabad where qualified veterinarians offer professional health services for the animals.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2019.