Birdsong Contests

In another example of how humans will turn any conceivable activity into a competition, behold the competitive world of birdsong. Birds sing naturally, some species more than others, but in south Asia, bird enthusiasts will train their pets to sing more melodiously and with greater range than the next bird. For many, it's a lifelong hobby. It sure beats cockfighting.

A dozen cages were suspended high up, while below men with clipboards assessed the singing. In central Jakarta contests can attract hundreds of entrants, passionate bird trainers arriving along with their white-rumped shamas, green bulbuls or hill blue flycatchers. On one level it’s a (largely male) social occasion, on another there’s a lot of prize money at stake. A ten minute video from Phuket in Thailand shows the competitors desperately encouraging their birds from the sidelines, bending the rules by gesturing, whistling or blowing kisses. A bird with potential may be worth as much as a Toyota Fortuner. In fact a belief that it’s unlucky to put a price on a bird means they are more likely to be bartered for goods such as cars. The judges, some of whom are women, are assessing melody, rhythm and volume. One contest in Phuket demands that birds sing eight specific pitches within a defined time period.

Read about the birdsong contests and see a video at The Wire. -via Boing Boing

(Image credit: Flickr user Adam Cohn)


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