Sharing knowledge to save songbirds
Friday 22 August 2025
Over the summer, Jersey Zoo’s Bird Department has been joined by Jaya Parulian Simanjuntak, Head Bird Keeper at Orangutan Haven in Indonesia, as part of a continued collaboration between Jersey Zoo and the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project (SOCP).
Southeast Asian songbirds continue to be one of the most threatened groups of animals in the world. Hundreds of thousands of birds are caught in Sumatra each year, most of which are exported to Java’s bird markets. Populations are dwindling and many species are now extinct, with demand from the illegal songbird trade continuing to rise.
Demand for songbirds is driven by singing competitions, a desire for high status pets, and religious releases. Singing competitions are lucrative, with birds judged and awarded monetary prizes for the best song. Contestants seeking wild birds either buy them from trappers or catch their own. Through Durrell’s partnership with SOCP, conservation work with these birds in Sumatra and husbandry at Jersey Zoo play a vital role when it comes to saving songbird species from extinction.
Senior Bird Keeper at Jersey Zoo, Sam, has been training Jaya during his visit and spoke to him about his experience at Jersey Zoo. The below has been translated from Bahasa Indonesian:
"I do my current job because I enjoy it and am challenged to learn more about songbirds that are nearly extinct, especially in North Sumatra. At my current workplace, we are focusing on breeding songbirds, which we will eventually release back into the wild.
I was given the opportunity and trust by my superiors to be introduced to Durrell, and from there I received an offer and the chance to visit Jersey Zoo. Jersey Zoo is renowned for successfully breeding many birds and also other animals.
Here, I feel very fortunate and grateful to have visited Jersey to observe and learn directly about bird behaviour, feeding habits, and the steps required to successfully breed them. This knowledge will be highly beneficial for my work upon returning from Jersey Zoo."
"I feel it is essential to collaborate with Durrell because it provides a comfortable and peaceful environment for animals. All staff are also very friendly and knowledgeable. Considering that Durrell is one of the best places in the world for successfully breeding birds, the coaching I have received will be highly beneficial for us in the future.
My visit to Jersey Zoo was my first trip abroad, specifically to the European continent. This was a valuable experience for me, and this visit was very meaningful for my work, as I work as a bird keeper specialising in nearly extinct birds. It has helped me learn ways to be very consistent in breeding songbirds. I have learned a lot about bird feeding, bird medications, supplements, vitamins, when birds lay eggs, checking eggs, when chicks hatch, and when eggs are moved to an incubator. All of these aspects will be crucial and are likely to be implemented in our future work."