Bird singing contest

A bird singing contest is a competition of songbirds, usually caged examples of wild species. Such contests are held in at least 22 countries of the world, and at least 36 different species are used in this way. The practice is particularly widespread in Southeast Asia, where it increases trade in songbirds and may contribute to the decline of threatened species.

Americas
The bird singing contest is a popular sport in Guyana, while in Brazil singing contests featuring the chestnut-bellied seed finch (curió in Portuguese) are held.

Asia
In Southern China, it is a common sight to witness the elderly people bringing the cages of Chinese hwamei to the local parks to enjoy their singing. In Japan, there are nationwide societies to exchange information on improving singing of the warbling white-eye and other birds.

In Indonesia, hundreds of songbird competitions are held all over the country every year. In Thailand, bird singing contests are also held frequently. The practice of wild species caged in is particularly widespread in Southeast Asia, where it increases trade in songbirds and may contribute to the decline of threatened species.

Europe
In Belgium, vinkensport is a contest of how many bird calls are made per hour by chaffinches.