Tweet Tweet: KL Bird Park

About a decade ago, I went through a ‘Tweety’ obsessed phase. I had key chains with Tweety bird showing off his cuteness – in a Christmas hat… with a football… in funky sunglasses… and many more. I had Tweety bird erasers, mugs, pen stands and soft toys. Remnants of this obsessive phase still exist at my folks’ place. ‘I twaut I thaw a puddy tat’ was like music to my ears! For someone who is so fascinated by the feathered beings, it would a crime to visit Kuala Lumpur and not go the KL Bird Park. Hence, the bird park was our first destination in the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

Getting there

The bird park is at about 15-20 minutes walking distance from the Kuala Lumpur metro station. We spent a hour looking for the place near Kuala Lumpur Sentral, not knowing that Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Lumpur Sentral stations are different. If you do not like walking in the warm and humid weather of KL, we would recommend that you hop into a cab which can take you to the gates of the bird park. Taxi fares in KL are fairly reasonable, provided you can convince a cab driver to use the meter.

Lunch time! This was the first bird that we saw at the KL Bird Park

Watching the bulbuls swoosh by…

Facts and information

• The bird park is spread over an area of approximately 21 acres and is the largest free flight walk-in aviary in the world.
• Recommend budgeting at least three hours to explore the park, including a few minutes at the coffee chop where a dancing peacock may choose to entertain you!
• The park is open from 900 hours to 1800 hours.
• There are bird shows held twice a day – 1230 hours and 1530 hours.
• Ticket costs RM 48 for adults and RM 38 for children less than 12 years of age.
• There are four zones in the park, as illustrated in the map below. Use the directions on the map to ensure that you cover as much as you can (map courtesy – KL Bird Park).

KL Bird Park – Map

Trivia

Here are some fun facts about our feathered friends:

Parrot: Parrots are the only birds that can pick up their food with their feet and bring it to their mouths in order to eat.

Feeding the lorries (a kind of parrot)!

Peacock: A peacock typically has a harem of 3-5 peahens.

Lucky us – we got to watch a peacock dance!

Owl: An owl’s eyes are supported by bony eye sockets and they cannot turn their eyes. Instead, owls rotate their heads up to 270 degrees.

The Wise Owl

Flamingo: Flamingos are monogamous birds that lay only a single egg each year. If that egg is lost or damaged, they do not typically lay a replacement.

Blushing pink

Great Hornbill: Females have white eyes while males have red eyes.

A handsome male hornbill

Painted Stork: When threatened, painted stork chicks regurgitate food and feign death by crumpling to the nest floor.

Painted Stork: ‘I am watching you!’

A day in the bird park and we are now contemplating investing in a good zoom lens to click some in flight action on a birding trip!

Two cents from my end… Some tips…

• KL is hot and humid and you will walk for at least two hours in the bird park. Wear comfortable shoes and carry a bottle of water with you.
• For me, the highlight of our trip to the bird park was the lorry feeding – highly recommend it. It costs only RM2 to feed the lorries; the experience is priceless!
• Ankur entered the park hoping that he gets to see a peacock dance – and he did, twice! It isn’t a common site. What a majestic creature – it was the highlight of the KL trip for Ankur!
• If you do fancy getting a picture with the big birds like the parakeets and hornbills, head to the photobooth. It costs RM10 per person, with two birds if you have your own camera.

Everyone is saying ‘CHEESE’

Many thanks to the KL Bird Park for facilitating our visit. Contact co-ordinates for the park are as follows:

Website: http://klbirdpark.com

Email: info@klbirdpark.com

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

920 Jalan Cenderawasih

Taman Tasik Perdana 50480

Kuala Lumpur MALAYSIA

Tel : 03 – 2272 1010

Fax : 03 – 2273 5428