Peshawar's bird market loses its chirp

The cheerful chirping of birds is gradually falling silent in Peshawar's historic bird market as soaring inflation takes a heavy toll on the once-profitable trade.

The centuries-old bird market at Kohati Gate has long been a popular destination for bird lovers from across Peshawar. Almost every variety of pet bird can traditionally be found in the market, including lovebirds, cockatiels, Java finches, doves, strawberry finches, quails, bulbuls, Chinese birds and colourful sparrows.

The market also attracts cat lovers looking for different breeds, while green parrots, famous for their ability to mimic human speech, remain among the most sought-after birds. Traders said such parrots are available at prices ranging from Rs12,000 to as high as Rs50,000, depending on their species and characteristics.

However, rising inflation has severely affected the purchasing power of customers, causing a sharp decline in sales. Shopkeepers say they have stopped bringing rare and expensive birds because demand has fallen significantly. Some traders are now considering shifting to alternative businesses as their earnings are no longer sufficient to cover daily expenses.

Sixty-year-old Ejaz, who has been associated with the bird trade in Kohati Bazaar for the past four decades, said inflation had badly affected the business.

"Customers visit less frequently because bird prices have increased considerably," he said. "Due to low demand, we have stopped bringing expensive birds to the market."

Another trader, Amjad, said the price of budgerigars, commonly known as colourful sparrows, had risen sharply. "A pair that previously cost around Rs800 is now selling for Rs1,200, while some varieties are being sold for as much as Rs2,000," he said.

He added that the prices of lovebirds and cockatiels had also increased significantly, with some now costing more than Rs3,000.

Traders said the increase in bird prices had been accompanied by a rise in the cost of bird feed and other maintenance expenses, making it increasingly difficult to sustain the business.

Shakeel, another shopkeeper in the market, said that although bird enthusiasts still visited the bazaar, many left without making purchases because of the high prices.

"Sometimes the income from the shop is less than our daily expenses," he said. "We are now seriously thinking about changing our business."

For generations, the Kohati Gate bird market has remained a colourful and lively part of Peshawar's traditional commercial landscape. But as inflation continues to squeeze both traders and customers, the chirping that once echoed through the market is becoming increasingly subdued.