The Bird Market was originally named Hong Lok Street. As more and more stalls appeared on the street devoted strictly to selling things related to bird-keeping, they became a distinguishing feature of the district. Therefore, many people forgot the original name and just called it the Bird Market.
Nevertheless, it soon will become part of history. The government is planning a commercial centre in 1995 or 1996, and Hong Lok street will be part of the redevelopment. All the stalls will have to move away.
One of the street's oldtimers goes by the name of Auntie Cheung. She has been doing business in the market for more than 30 years."The Bird Market was very quiet in the past, with just several stalls. However, it really has been changing a lot in the past few years. The market has become more crowded and noisy. Also, more foreigners are coming to pay a visit," she said.
"I remember that when I started the business 30 years ago, I sold only grasshoppers. It is a kind of bird food. Many stall owners here started their business by selling bird food products.Now, I do not sell grasshoppers anymore. I shifted to selling birds, bird cages and other kinds of bird food. Besides having more variety in the business, I earn more money to make a living," said Auntie Cheung.
The Bird Market is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The stalls are crowded together along both sides of the street. Only a narrow passage permits customers to pass through.
Once in the market, the visitor notices the smell of birds and the sight of feathers, like dust, blowing in the air.To some visitors, the impression is not exactly positive.When one couple were asked about their first impression of the Bird Market, they said, "Dirty!"
"Another impression which it gives us is a feeling of typical Hong Kong style. It makes us think of things which are Oriental. Like, we would like to come and buy empty bird cages and put them in our home for decorations. These bird cages are very delicate and their prices are reasonable. Whenever we have a chance to come to Mong Kok, we visit the Bird Market. We also come to buy food for our little bird about once a month," said the wife.
A businessman who has been selling bird cages for over 10 years explained a little about his business:"Usually, the bird cages are from China because the labour there is cheaper. They are then transported to Hong Kong, and we paint them so as to make them look nicer.Some of the bird cages may be plastic or steel, but traditional bird cages are usually made of bamboo."
He said,"Sometimes, people get bored with their own bird cages. They will then sell their own and buy a new one with a different style.A bird cage can be kept for a long time. Second-hand bird cages are favoured by bird lovers if they are of high quality."
Mr. Lo Pak Leung, who has been selling parrots for 15 years, said, "It is very true that more foreigners are coming here, both visitors and those who are living in Hong Kong. "Visitors usually do not buy birds," Mr. Lo said. "What they buy are the bird cages and other accessories. They like to take them back to their own countries as gifts and give them to their friends."
"Everybody can keep birds," Mr. Lo continued while feeding seeds to his parrots. "No matter if you are rich or poor, no matter if your house is big or small, everyone can keep a bird conveniently.It just takes you an 8-inch space, and that's enough."
"People always have the misconception that keeping birds is just for the elderly who have retired. Yet it is a hobby for people aged from 6 to 60.Children, as well as adults, keep their own birds. This helps the children to develop a sense of responsibility, because they have to take care of their own birds.It will teach them how to love and care," Mr. Lo said.
"In the beginning, the children may not be interested in keeping birds, as this hobby may seem boring and old-fashioned to them.But it will only take some time for them to get familiar with the birds and develop the hobby," he said.
An 11-year-old boy holding his own bird cage in his hand said, "You can get bored easily with videogames, but birds are so cute."This bird is called a marbler. When I hear them singing aloud, I am very happy," said the boy,"I've kept this bird for about one year, and I enjoy being with it. Also, it does not take much effort to take care of the bird.
"I only have to clean up the cage by putting in a fresh piece of newspaper everyday.Then I give food and water to the bird and help it to take a bath. And that's all. It's an easy job, but it gives me a lot of satisfaction," he said.
He also said that his classmates sometimes laugh at him when they realize that he keeps a bird."They said that only old people keep birds. In fact, I really enjoy going out to the park and joining the old folks to talk to them, and they teach me a lot about birds," he said.
Mr. Lo suggested that being a bird seller might not be a very profitable occupation: The income is not stable, but the job itself is flexible."You can never get rich by selling birds," he said. "Yet, most of the owners, like me, still sell birds because it is our hobby and our interest."
"This job is interesting, entertaining and pleasurable, too. Many funny things happen each day," he added,"For example, can you imagine that parrots, like human beings, know what jealousy means? If I play with one of the parrots, the others will bite me in order to show their jealousy.
"It's interesting to teach the parrots how to talk. Listen: This one knows how to say, `I love you,'" said Mr. Lo.
He looked at his parrot and smiled when the parrot said, "I love you."
The Bird Market is open every day all year except for a few days during the Chinese New Year. Regarding the government's redevelopment plans for Hong Lok Street, Mr. Lo said, "We have set up a committee to discuss with the government a better solution to transfer the stalls to another place.
"We have already discussed the issue with the government. Yet, we haven't reached any agreement yet."The government still has not told us the details about our moving. We have been informed neither of the exact time nor place that we will be moved," said Mr. Lo, who is chairman of the Bird Market Committee.
"The government suggested us to move into the urban market, but none of the stall owners can accept such an offer because there are hygiene problems."Birds need sunlight and good ventilation. Otherwise, germs will grow easily and the place will be completely full of an awful smell.
"We want to move to another street to continue our business -- for example, to the other end of Hong Lok Street, which lies between the Mong Kok and Argyle Streets, or to Cheung Wong Street."We need to have a place where fewer cars will pass through and which is more remote from the residences.
"All the stall owners are concerned a lot about the future changes. The Bird Market is a special feature in Hong Kong and we will try our best to keep it," Mr. Lo said.
Visitors to the market should take the Bank Centre exit from the Mong Kok MTR station and walk west along Argyle Street about two or three blocks. Hong Lok Street is a narrow alley on the south side of Argyle Street.