JURONG BIRD PARK, SINGAPORE

Jurong Bird Park  is a tourist attraction in Singapore managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore. It is a landscaped park, built on the western slope of Jurong Hill. It is located within the Boon Lay Planning Area of the Jurong district and has an area of 202,000 square metres (50 acres). Jurong Bird Park is now a world-famous bird zoo where there are specimens of magnificent bird life from around the world, including a flock of one thousand and one flamingos. It is currently the world's largest bird park in terms of number of birds, and second largest both in number of bird species and land area (after Germany's Weltvogel park Walsrode). There are 5,000 birds of 380 species in Jurong Bird Park. Of these, 29 are of threatened species.

Exhibits At Jurong Bird Park

      High Flyers Show: Formerly called the "Birds n Buddies Show",this birdshow showcases 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 for visitors to the natural behaviour of birds like pelicans, flamingos and hornbills.

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

      Wetlands:The new exhibit will give visitors a more balanced eco-system display and hopefully will be able to provide a better understanding of how nature, the birds and men co-exist in this one world we call our home. Species here include shoebill, saddle-billed stork, and a few species of African fish.

      African Waterfall Aviary: The African Waterfall Aviary is the world's largest walk-in aviary with more than 1,500 free-flying birds from over 50 species. Visitors may hop aboard the Panorail, the world's only monorail that runs through an aviary. Jurong Falls, which is located within the African Waterfall Aviary, is the world's tallest man-made waterfall in an aviary at 30 metres high. Species include Golden-breasted Starling, Turacos, and the hoopoe.

      Flightless Birds: 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 view the largest collection of Southeast Asian birds, which has over 200 species. There are large, central walk-in aviary and peripheral aviaries that house the more delicate or territorial birds. A daily simulated mid-day thunderstorm is 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 fly free in the aviary.

      Lory Loft covers 3,000 square metres (32,000 sq ft), is about 9 storeys high, and 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 and the birds will flock to them.

      Penguin Coast houses six species of penguins within 1,600 square metres (17,000 sq ft). Featuring a 21-metre (69 ft) tall Portuguese galleon facade 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, Little and King Penguins which live in an indoor, climate-controlled den as well as an outdoor penguin enclosure showcasing Jackass penguins, one of the few species that are adapted to the tropics. Joining them are the Cape Shelducks and gulls.

This Jurong Bird Park which is located in Singapore is most attracted destination for 'family' tourists (who bring along children).
Retrieved from :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurong_Bird_Park