The hobby of rearing songbirds in China dates back centuries to the early Qing Dynasty in the 1600s. Historically, it evokes images of the privileged class taking strolls with their caged birds out to teahouses.
This leisurely lifestyle, called 提笼架鸟 (tí lóng jià niǎo), literally means to carry a cage with a bird in it.
These days, the hobby is still alive, albeit not limited to the nobility. They’re big business in Asia, too. A champion zebra dove can sell upwards of $200,000. Competitions are held annually to find the best singers around.
Even today, in Beijing and Tianjin on weekends, you’ll find thousands of people gathered at parks, admiring each other’s songbirds amid the chirping of hundreds of their pets.
Champion songbirds need a fitting home
Outside of mainland China, there are experts cage makers in the region. Tucked away inside a block of residential flats in Ang Mo Kio, Singapore, is a small shop selling painstakingly handcrafted bird cages.
The owner of “Cage Making 159” is Teng Leng Foo, 73, one of the last few bird cage makers in the small island country.
Serious songbird enthusiasts from all around the world go to him when they need a cage to home their champions.
And Teng specializes in cages specifically for zebra doves, prized in Southeast Asia.
“One aspect of bird keeping is you must have a good knowledge of birds. Then, you must also have a good cage. There is an industry built around it. It’s an art form, too.” he says.
What’s in a good cage?
According to Teng, it’s all in the material and the skill of the maker. “To make birdcages, you need natural talent, high creativity, and artistic talent.” says Teng.
Teng meticulously plans out his cages before starting work, sometimes spending up to a month on a single one.
His cages sell for over $3,000.
“Someone bought an antique cabinet to display my cages. When he’s free, he takes them out and admires them,” beams Teng.
