Satria Bird Market is the largest bird market in Bali. This tourist attraction for bird enthusiasts was initially developed by a figure from Puri Satria, Cokorda Ngurah Mayun Samirana.
The location of the bird market is strategic, adjacent to Puri Satria, the direct heir of Puri Denpasar, which was destroyed by the Dutch during the Puputan Badung war in 1906. The ruined and uninhabitable condition of the palace led the remaining descendants of the king to build a new palace called Puri Satria.
The area around this palace developed, including the bird market, when the Lila Buana Market was evicted in the 1980s. The field in front of the palace was used as a gathering place for traders, especially those selling pet birds.
The bird market area on Jalan Veteran in Denpasar was initially only 6x15 meters in size and managed by five groups of traders. Now, the area has expanded to cover the entire temple area of Puri Satria, occupying about half a hectare
Initially, the types of birds sold were limited to sparrows, zebra doves, and canaries. As it developed between 1991-2000, the variety of birds for sale increased, including swamp sparrows, turtle doves, robins, starlings, birds from outside Java and abroad, and even other animals such as chickens, rabbits, dogs, and ornamental fish. The prices range from tens of thousands to millions of rupiah.
According to Ni Made Yenny Purnama Sari in the Journal of Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha), Satria Bird Market first entered the city's tourism agenda when it was inaugurated by the Deputy Mayor of Denpasar, I Ketut Robin, in 2000. The bird market became more organized, with the existing 47 stalls equipped with permanent walls. Between 2000 and 2012, the facilities became more complete, including a money changer, public toilets, parking lots, and food stalls.
Satria Bird Market is not only a place for bird transactions. The rows of stalls also provide various needs and information related to pets, including cages, birdcages, aquariums, books, magazines, tabloids, and pet accessories. Most traders provide guarantees for the birds they sell. If a bird is unhealthy, it can be returned.
The traders here are required to maintain order, especially during ceremonies in the palace. They usually temporarily stop trading until the ceremony is completed.
Domestic and foreign tourists often visit because Satria Bird Market is only 500 meters north of Lapangan Puputan Badung. Some visitors come with the intention of buying beautiful birds, mostly singing birds, while others simply come to observe or pursue their hobby of photography.
The melodious chirping of these winged creatures delights anyone who approaches them. The friendly traders greet visitors and are willing to share knowledge about the world of bird keeping.
