Singapore has many amazing parks, but one of the most unusual — and delightful — has to be Bird Paradise. If you want to see birds up close without hiking into mountains or marshes, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better spot. Here’s everything you need to get to know and plan a visit to Bird Paradise Singapore.

Originally housed in Jurong in the southwestern part of the island, these birds now nest right up against the Zoo, Night Safari, and River Safari in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve (Singapore can proudly say that even its animals are well-organized). But Jurong has not been forgotten; Bird Paradise pays homage to the old Bird Park at the entrance.

Avian Zones: From the Outback to the Ocean at Bird Paradise Singapore

Bird Paradise groups its 400 avian species into “zones,” including the Wings of Asia, Penguin Cove, the Heart of Africa, the Australian Outback, Mysterious Papua …

… and Amazonian Jewels.

The park boasts eight giant aviaries, each with boardwalks for visitors and nets so high in the air that you often forget they’re there.

Bird Spotting at Bird Paradise

Because there’s so much space for the birds to fly around, you’re most likely to spot them at the many feeders…

… though some birds, like these Nicobar pigeons, get up close and personal on the walkway railings.

When I first visited, the rainbow lorikeets jumped on me without warning (their main interest seemed to be trying to eat my earrings, phone, and dress).

On my most recent visit, however, the lorikeets were much better behaved — I think the staff have been trying to dissuade these kinds of bird-human interactions.

This tawny frogmouth sat so close to the path that I could almost touch it …

… but many of the birds camouflage themselves on the ground and up in the trees. So you’ll need to have patience to search out some species. Of course, you’ll find plenty of easy-to-spot exceptions, such as the brightly-colored (and often loud) parrots, like this female eclectus.

You also can’t miss large birds like pelicans and cassowaries.

The expansive and vibrant flocks in the Crimson Wetlands stand out immediately. Here, you’ll easily spot scarlet macaws, American flamingos …

… roseate spoonbills, and scarlet ibises:

Tracking down the more elusive birds can post both a challenge and a delight. I’ve made several return trips just for the chance to see what I can discover each time.

If you’re mostly here for bird photos, I’ve included a large gallery at the end of the post. Feel free to scroll ahead.

Avian Education

The park has kindly separated many of the zones with well-air conditioned educational halls. Here, you can learn about all sorts of stuff, including eggs, coloration, and migration patterns.

In addition to lots of wall signage, various displays teach you about everything from skeletons to nests to feathers.

I loved the creative indoor seating, which includes cups for kids shaped like eggs and weaver bird nests and benches shaped like beaks.

Everything here is bird-themed: sculptures, playgrounds, and even the paintings in the elevator.

Why Bird Paradise Singapore is Worth Every Penny

All of this is fantastic, but it comes at a price: Bird Paradise is expensive. You’ll find ticket prices here, and they won’t make you happy. But I’m a satisfied repeat visitor because, quite simply, there are so many birds. Every visit is magical, with species you can only dream of seeing in the wild suddenly right in front of you.

I’m also a fan of the educational components of Bird Paradise, which the park has cleverly woven into many different parts of the grounds. You can come away having learned a lot, and you may not even realize it.

Finally, this place is just beautiful. Every walkway teems with life, from birds to greenery to the occasional random mammal. You leave feeling like you’ve been part of something special.

Ethical Questions at Bird Paradise

For all of my enthusiasms, I always come away with a few reservations. First, while most of the birds have much more space than they did in their previous home in Jurong, I always cringe a bit when I see the hornbills in the Winged Sanctuary zone in such small cages. But my biggest concern is that Bird Paradise continues to offer two bird shows, and I don’t believe that animals should be used for entertainment. This park could easily stand on its own without staged performances.

Visit Tips for Bird Paradise Singapore

• Bring: A hat or umbrella, sunblock, and water — some areas are very exposed — and binoculars if you’re especially keen on bird spotting.
• Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking.
• How Long to Spend: I would recommend at least three hours if you want to explore the park comfortably; more if you plan to shop or stop for food.
• Food: You’ll find several venues just before the park entrance, and I recommend making time for the Birds of Paradise gelato stand. There are also a few food options within the park itself.
• Bird Feeding: Keep your eye out for posted feeding session times.
• For Kids: There are two play areas: the rope-based Treetop Play and the Egg Splash water park. The park says that both have all-day hours, but I have yet to see Egg Splash in operation.
• Drop-Off: If you get dropped off, the signage at the taxi entrance isn’t great. Walk in through the glass doors, go up by the waterfall (Bird Paradise loves a manmade waterfall), and follow signs once you get to the top.

Want to See More Birds?

Continuing Your Tour of Singapore’s Wildlife Attractions?

You might also enjoy:

• My review of the Singapore Oceanarium
• The Animals of Asia at the Singapore Zoo
• My earlier posts on the Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s River Safari and Night Safari
• A visit to the Kebun Baru Bird Singing Club