by Nurul Fitri Ramadhani
JAKARTA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- As dawn breaks across Indonesian cities, motorcycles carrying covered bird cages begin arriving at open fields, parking lots and community venues. Men wearing bird club jackets gather around registration tables, exchanging notes on feeding routines, training methods and recent competition results.
Known locally as kicau mania, Indonesia's bird-singing community has evolved from a neighborhood pastime into a nationwide cultural and economic phenomenon, bringing together breeders, trainers and hobbyists across generations.
At bird-singing contests, hundreds of cages are suspended from large metal frames. Once the covers are removed, judges assess rhythm, endurance, clarity and variation in birdsong, while owners watch closely from below.
What was once largely an informal hobby has gradually developed into a more organized social activity supported by sponsors, local administrations and online communities. Competition videos regularly attract large audiences on social media, while local events continue to draw participants from different regions.
A recent bird-singing contest in Gunungsitoli, North Sumatra, attracted enthusiasts from across the Nias Islands and nearby cities. Organizers described the event as lively and highly competitive.
"The event was conducted smoothly and became a platform to strengthen friendship among bird-song enthusiasts," Gunungsitoli Mayor Sowa'a Laoli told Xinhua.
Across Indonesia, bird owners often describe their birds as athletes requiring careful preparation. Feeding schedules, vitamins, cage placement and training routines are adjusted daily to improve performance ahead of competitions.
For many participants, bird-singing contests are about more than prize money.
"It is no longer just a hobby. We meet friends, exchange knowledge and build a community here," Arif Nugroho, a bird owner attending a recent competition in Central Java, told Xinhua.
Social media has accelerated the spread of the trend. Competition highlights, bird-care tutorials and training content shared on platforms have helped attract younger participants.
Beyond the competitions, kicau mania supports a wider ecosystem of breeders, feed suppliers, cage makers and event organizers. According to Indonesia's Ministry of Trade, the country's songbird-related industry generates an estimated 1.7 trillion to 2 trillion rupiahs (about 104 million to 122 million U.S. dollars) in economic activity.
The growing popularity of the hobby has also prompted local governments and community groups to include bird-singing contests in regional festivals and public events to promote tourism and support local businesses.
Community gatherings often extend beyond the competition grounds. Food stalls, bird-care vendors and accessory sellers line event venues, turning contests into informal weekend marketplaces. Some enthusiasts spend months preparing birds for competition, with top-performing birds valued at tens of millions of rupiah.
For many Indonesians, however, the appeal of bird-singing culture extends beyond economics. Birdsong has long been part of daily life, especially in residential neighborhoods where caged birds are commonly heard in the mornings.
That familiarity continues to draw younger generations into the community, blending traditional birdkeeping practices with modern digital culture.
"Kicau mania is about togetherness," said Dedi Santoso, a bird community organizer in Yogyakartam, one of the cultural centers of Jawa island. "People come from different backgrounds, but when they gather around the birds, they feel connected." ■
