Bangladesh is home to a diverse variety of bird species, some of which are quite rare and valuable. When it comes to the most expensive birds in Bangladesh, a few species stand out as particularly prized by collectors and enthusiasts.
The Red Junglefowl
One of the most expensive birds found in Bangladesh is the Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus). This large bird is the wild ancestor of the domestic chicken, though it retains its vivid plumage and long tail feathers. Male Red Junglefowl have brilliant red bodies, black tails, and decorative facial ornaments. Their calls are loud, ringing crowing sounds.
Red Junglefowl inhabit forests and woodlands across Bangladesh, foraging on the ground for seeds, insects, and fallen fruits. However, due to habitat loss and hunting for food or traditional medicine, their numbers in the wild are decreasing. This rarity significantly increases their value to collectors or breeders. Prices for Red Junglefowl in Bangladesh can range from $200 to $500 per bird.
The Sarus Crane
Another highly prized bird is the Sarus Crane (Grus antigone), the tallest flying bird in the world. These large, elegant cranes stand over 5 feet tall, with predominantly grey plumage offset by a red head and upper neck. Their long, pointed beaks help them probe the marshes and fields where they forage.
Sarus Cranes are revered in Bangladeshi culture as a symbol of marital fidelity, as they form lifelong pair bonds. They are also considered sacred in Hinduism. However, loss of wetland habitats has caused Sarus Crane numbers to decline. This scarcity, along with their cultural significance, makes Sarus Cranes extremely valuable. Prices range from $400 to $1,000 or more for a single Sarus Crane.
The Great Hornbill
The aptly named Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) is another of Bangladesh’s most prized avian residents. These large, striking birds have oversized yellow and black beaks adorned with a decorative casque on top. Their plumage is black and white, with a bright yellow throat pouch.
Great Hornbills inhabit forested areas where they feed on fruit, small animals, and eggs. They are important dispersers of tree seeds. Deforestation and the pet trade have caused a decrease in their populations. Given their imposing size, prehistoric appearance, and relative rarity, Great Hornbills command extremely high prices in Bangladesh. Individual birds can sell for $1,000 to $2,000.
The Giant Ibis
The Giant Ibis (Thaumatibis gigantea) is the most endangered and expensive bird in Bangladesh. This huge, mostly black ibis has a bald, crimson head and long, curved beak. Growing over 3 feet tall, it is the largest ibis species in the world.
Giant Ibises inhabit wetlands, where they feed on frogs, small vertebrates, and invertebrates. Habitat loss has severely depleted their numbers – it is estimated that only a few hundred survive globally. This extreme scarcity has made them a highly coveted species for collectors and breeders. The price for a single Giant Ibis can reach $5,000 to $10,000 in Bangladesh.
Factors Influencing Bird Prices
Several key factors determine the high prices of sought-after bird species in Bangladesh:
- Rarity – Birds that are endangered or have small population sizes command higher prices.
- Cultural significance – Birds with symbolic meaning or religious reverence are more prized.
- Size – Larger birds tend to have higher values, especially large bird species with limited numbers.
- Physical attributes – Birds with distinctive plumage, colors, or ornate features increase value.
- Difficulty of capture or breeding – Birds that are challenging to acquire or breed drive prices higher.
- International demand – Some species are coveted by collectors worldwide.
Legal Protection
It is important to note that many rare and expensive birds in Bangladesh are protected under national and international laws. The Giant Ibis, for example, is classified as Critically Endangered and included on Appendix I of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). This makes international trade illegal without permits.
Hunting or capturing many protected bird species is also prohibited within Bangladesh. Enforcement of wildlife protection laws remains a challenge, however. Habitat loss and pressure from poaching continue to threaten vulnerable bird populations that would otherwise command very high prices from collectors.
Aviculture
One alternative to illegal wild bird trade is aviculture – captive breeding of birds by specialized breeders. Many rare species that reach extremely high prices when illegally caught can be bred in controlled aviary settings. This provides collectors a way to legally acquire rare breeds and takes pressure off wild populations.
Aviculture for profit and conservation is still developing in Bangladesh. But captive breeding programs exist regionally for birds like the Sarus Crane and Great Hornbill. Supporting and expanding aviculture initiatives could supply collectors with exotic species that would otherwise be poached from increasingly fragile wild habitats.
Conclusion
The most expensive and coveted birds in Bangladesh remain species made rare by habitat loss and overhunting. Striking birds like the Red Junglefowl, Sarus Crane, Great Hornbill, and Giant Ibis can bring huge sums from collectors. But along with enforcing wildlife trade bans, supporting captive breeding and habitat protection are key to saving these magnificent bird species from extinction.