Bali Bird Park and Komodo Dragons

Calling All Bird And Reptile Lovers



Parrots In Love



Take Time To Wander Around The Bali Bird Park

Having a wonderful assortment of rare birds from all over the world, and positioned next door to the reptile park with Komodo Dragons, I loved the outdoor encounters.  The location is about 30 minutes by car from Ubud, is open from 9 -5pm and costs $26 US for adults and $13 US for children.  When you enter the park, the workers immediately spray your arms and legs with something which I am guessing is a disinfectant.  But I'm not entirely sure whether if it is for the birds' protection or for the visitors' protection.  Because it is very hot and humid in the park, it is best to get their early (trust me) and at a time when the birds are most active, when you can observe their feedings.  Try to get there by 9am if possible before the tour buses arrive at 11am.

The best part is that there is an area where you can both observe and get close to the birds, without being separated by a cage. The birds seem to be casually wandering and flying from place to place, but are frequently flying over your head.  That being said, it would be a good idea to be wearing your hat and watching out for the many droppings that are falling down like time bombs.  I found it to be amazingly that the birds did not fly off and escape the park. Then I became curious as to whether the bird park might actually be clipping their wings to prevent their escape. However, when I asked them, the park did not admit to any clipping and with their usual Bali smile said, "They stay here because they like it here".  Well, perhaps they are right, in that the birds hang around because they always know where to get a free meal.

The Bali Bird Park has the largest and finest collection of Indonesian birds in the world, plus fantastic birds from Africa & South America. Encompassing two hectares of botanical landscape, the park provides sanctuary to almost 1000 birds of 250 different species.

It accommodates an amazing display of flora with more then 2000 tropical plants including 50 varieties of palms alone and attracting numerous butterflies. Incorporating a breeding, research and veterinary facility within the complex, the park has a high success rate in the captive reproduction of exotic birds such as the Bird of Paradise and Horn Bill.




  Hornbills Are Plentiful Here

 while most parks do not have them.

             An impressive characteristic of hornbills is the heavy,

             powerful bill, which they use for capturing prey, breaking open

             fruit/nuts (hornbills are omnivorous), building the nest, and fighting.

When sitting at the restaurant you may feast your eyes on a group of  poised flamingos or peacocks.  Both small and large birds may come into the restaurant area and wander underneath your table, but don't worry.  They won't bother you. (no not much:)  Most people think that the park drinks and food are pricey, so be prepared and if that is a concern, bring a few drinks or even pack a lunch.




View From The Restaurant
Photo source: Bali Bird Park Website



Poised Flamingoes



Richly Colored Orchids



White Peacock Showing His Plumage.




The Rare Cassowary,
which is a flightless solitary bird related to the ostrich
(from Africa) and emu (from Australia). They have feathers but these feathers lack barbules,
the part of feathers that act like a zipper to keep the pieces together. As a result, the cassowary
feathers are soft and fluffy rather than holding their shape the way a flighted bird's feathers do.

Flowers Are Abundant




Pretty Blue Peacock

Check out the interesting eagle and macaw show, the water falls and the mini forest. Children and adults love the 3 D movies, which includes a show about the Birds of Prey. 

The photo opportunities are awesome.  The staff workers will place large or small birds onto your hand, arm or shoulder. (or even your head), depending on how brave you are. Then they volunteer
to take your photo, either with your camera or with their own professional camera, with a later no obligation opportunity to buy one of the photos.




One Bird Is Never Enough For A Photo

Actually, many of the signs and educational shows are more about providing photo opportunities than providing educational information. If you really want to know about the different types of birds, it would be a good idea to look up birds of Indonesia before you go.

Bali Bird Park and Reptile Park Operating Hours
The park and restaurant is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily

Entrance Ticket
Adult 26 US
Child 13 US

Learn Why Parrots Make Demanding Pets

Bali Bird Park Website

Suggested Reading
Birds of Bali by Victor Mason, Periplus Editions 1993, ISBN 978-0945971047, hardback, 80 pages. An excellent and inexpensive book for the traveler, light enough to carry in daypack. No other book covers Balinese birds in such detail.

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Indonesia, Tuttle 2012, ISBN 978-080-484-2006, 544 pages. A pocket-sized identification guide to 236 common bird species of Java, Sumatra and Bali. Includes short descriptive accounts and color photos with brief comments on calls, habits and habitat. Map.

Don't Miss The Bali Reptile Park
and Komodo Dragons

The price includes admission to the Reptile Park which is next door and good for at least 30 minutes. To be honest, the reptile park is a little anti-climatic after going to the Bali Bird Park.  However, the Reptile Park houses a collection of  snakes, turtles, monitor lizards (Komodo Dragons) and iguanas, where you can experience them up close and and pick them up to hold them if you want to. (but would you really want to?)  There are crocodiles and one or two Komodo Dragons in a protected pond area that you can enjoy viewing.  Watch for their feeding times, as it can be interesting to watch the park attendants feed live chickens to the Komodo Dragons. (however you might want to warn your children)




Komodo Dragon poses for his picture
(or is he ready for an attack?)

Before or After Your Bali Trip:  Visit Komodo Island

Two of the few places outside of a park or zoo to see  Komodo Dragons in the wild are on the Komodo & Rinca islands, near Flores Island in Indonesia.  It is a 1.5 hour flight from Bali (or
a 3 day ferry boat ride) and then a short boat ride to the islands.   The Komodo Island is considered
a national park, one of the "New 7 Wonders of  Nature", which inhabits and protects approximately 3000 Komodo Dragons, the largest lizards in the world.  These direct descendants of the dinosaur
can grow to be 9 ft. (3 meters) and weigh over 150 pounds. 

The amazing, unpredictable dragon is a carnivore and lives mostly on deer and wild pigs that inhabit the island. They are good swimmers, and quite agile and swift on dry land.

You can't view these creatures on the Komodo Island unless on a guided tour, accompanied by rangers that only use a pronged stick for protection. They say that the Komodo Dragon have a good sense of smell and  can smell blood from many miles away.  So visitors are not allowed to bring any food onto the island.....and believe it or not, women during their menstrual cycle are discouraged to take the tour.  (note: it does not appear that safety is a high priority on these islands, although they say accidents rarely occur)



A Komodo dragon lounges near the Komodo National Park welcome center on Rinca Island.

Photo: Rachel Nuwer

The Most Infamous Komodo Dragon Attack Of The Past Ten Years

Komodo Dragon Facts and Info

If I decide to go on this trip, would you be interested
in joining me?