Discover Exotic Birds at Charles University’s Botanical Garden in Slupi!
The tranquil botanical garden located in the heart of Prague becomes vibrant and full of noise, showcasing a lively and noisy paradise of exotic birds, though not just parrots. This can be seen through this year’s exhibition which focuses on exotic and European pigeons. The breeding of pigeon exotics remains undervalued in the Czech Republic compared to other types of exotic birds. The exotic pigeons stand out greatly in their appearance compared to the usual homing pigeons that we see frequently in urban areas. Those interested in keeping pigeons, doves, and other species will have a fantastic chance to meet the breeders in person at the exhibition.
Exotic pigeons include fan-tailed pigeon, Jamaican pigeon, pigeon olive, and Chinese dove. These pigeon varieties are known for their diverse coloration, unique shapes and sizes, and particular breeding needs. Pigeons are intelligent creatures capable of learning and remembering words. The largest species of pigeon, found in the rainforests of New Guinea, is the fan-crowned pigeon. You can recognize the Jamaican pigeon by its smaller size and unique head crest, while the Chinese dove sports a “pearl necklace” around its neck. Some of the most colorful pigeons include the blue-crowned, Nicobar, green-winged, New Caledonian, green emperor, atoll, mourning, bronze-winged, tambourine, and homing pigeon.
Really noisy exhibits
The vibrant birds at the Na Slupi Botanical Garden make their presence known with loud calls that can be heard from a distance. The loudest among them are the ara parrots, whose calls will be the most common sound you’ll hear during the period of 16 August to 1 September 2024. Macaws are recognized as the largest parrots worldwide. In previous years, the organizers have built a spacious aviary that allows the birds to fly freely! The parrots that love to show off the most are the white cockatoos – they swing on ropes, chew branches, playfully tussle with one another, shout, run around on the ground, and even engage with a floorball, while also enjoying human attention.
Exhibition of exotic birds will be held in the greenhouses of the Botanical Garden at the Faculty of Science of Charles University in Na Slupi until 31 August 2025. It is open every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, on the last day it closes early at 4:00 pm. Visitors can enjoy refreshments and participate in various competitive games, quizzes, and bird-related workshops intended for children. Adults will need to pay 180 crowns at the entrance, or if you buy tickets online, it will be 150 CZK. Along with the exhibition, there is also a permanent display by the Laguna company, which provides care for unwanted and handicapped pet parrots, particularly the larger macaws, cockatoos, amazons, and jacanas.
