Songbirds for sale

The National Committee on Wildlife Conservation has succumbed to aggressive lobbying by local politicians and supporting groups to remove the red-whiskered bulbul, known as a songbird or nok krong hua jook, from the protected list of wild animals.

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The red-whiskered bulbul is not another exotic bird, as it has occupied a special place in the way of life of the deep southern provinces. Because these rare birds are vocal and make unique sounds, they are often entered into singing competitions, driving up their market value and demand.

The price of a crested bulbul ranges from tens of thousands to half a million baht for a bird with good features and a beautiful voice.

Proponents have argued that this perching bird could be reclassified as an "economic animal" to boost income for local communities involved in bird breeding.

Indeed, the army has lent support to the idea, believing that the commercialisation of bird breeding will reduce poverty in restive southern provinces. Local politicians and political parties have promised voters in these provinces that they will remove this bird from the protected list.