Cities and provinces across Vietnam are pursuing green and sustainable tourism approaches and enhancing efforts in environmental protection, while many areas have rushed to the bird aviary model, which is blamed for a decrease in wild bird populations.

The prime minister’s Directive 04 stipulates urgent measures to preserve wild and migratory birds in Vietnam. 

Meanwhile, the number of aviaries in Vietnam has risen sharply over the past several years, and related events, such as sunbird contests, have sparked concerns for the safety of wild birds.

According to several wildlife photographers, sunbirds used to be easy to spot in Da Lat City, a popular tourist site in the Central Highlands region, but have become much more difficult to find in the past several years.

In October, Wildtour and Research Service Company and BirdLife International conducted a survey at 36 bird stores in Ho Chi Minh City; Da Lat and Di Linh District in Lam Dong Province; Pleiku in Gia Lai Province; and Kon Tum Province.

The results of the survey showed that over 5,580 birds belonging to 82 species were up for sale, including 1,721 red-whiskered bulbuls and several endangered orange-breasted laughingthrush and Vietnamese cutia.  

The survey also found that 10 species of sunbirds were available at these stores, mainly in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam is home to a wide array of bird species, including various endemic birds such as grey-crowned crocias, collared laughingthrush, cutia, and green-tailed sunbird.

Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap Province, Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park in Lam Dong Province, Cat Tien National Park in Dong Nai Province, and the Kon Tum Plateau are homes to many bird species. 

As such, birdwatchers from across the country flock to these parks to photograph birds.

Apart from generating revenue, birdwatching tourism also promotes nature preservation.

Unfortunately, illegal bird hunting and trapping is causing bird populations to dwindle.

In early December, members of the Vietnam Wildlife Photography Club voiced their anger after a clip went viral on social media, showing hundreds of male sunbirds kept in a giant aviary.

The clip was posted on the Internet by a bird food facility, known for sponsoring sunbird contests across the country. 

Owners of similar aviaries revealed that the survival rate of captive sunbirds is relatively low.

Illegally hunting wild birds and confining them in aviaries have not only made bird populations plummet, but also disrupted the natural balance of local ecosystems.

The uncontrollable acts could lead to infection disease outbreaks.

Wild birds play a key role in the ecosystem, helping pollinate plants, control pests and maintain the natural cycle.

Rampant bird hunting can lead to multiple negative effects on the environment.

Specifically, a large volume of sunbirds, which significantly contribute to pollination, are being hunted, possibly plunging the natural ecosystem at risk.

Once the number of wild birds falls, the allure of many national parks and wildlife reserves will reduce.

If bird hunting is not controlled strictly, many bird species will be on the brink of extinction, and the natural food chain will be affected.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!