Weekly Friday Auction at Haraj Bird Market
The Haraj Bird Market in southern Jeddah comes alive every Friday afternoon with a vibrant public auction that attracts amateurs, hobbyists, and dedicated bird enthusiasts. The event offers a bustling marketplace for buying, selling, and admiring a diverse array of bird species, from colorful ornamental birds to domestic favorites like budgies, lovebirds, canaries, cockatiels, rose-ringed parakeets, and various parrots, as well as poultry and pigeons.
The Auctioneer "Uncle Matar" Takes Center Stage
In one corner of the market, a crowd quickly gathers around an energetic and experienced auctioneer known as “Uncle Matar.” Sellers carefully place birds of different species in cages next to him, after which buyers examine the birds’ appearance, health, and pedigree before placing their bids. Once the auction begins, Uncle Matar displays the birds one by one on the table in front of him and accepts bids starting from as low as SR100 ($26). The bidding continues until the bird’s owner agrees to the highest bid. If the owner accepts, the buyer pays and leaves with the purchase, and the auctioneer receives a 10 percent commission from the sale. If no bid is received, the owner must remove the cage from the display.
African Grey Parrots Fail to Sell at Desired Price
Mahmoud Halwani brought his two African Grey parrots, widely considered the best talking parrots, but removed them from the auction after failing to sell each for SR2,500. Speaking to Arab News while leaving the auction, he said: “The highest bid was SR2,000 and the auctioneer tried to convince me to sell for SR2,000 but I refused. My parrot is worth more than what they offered me.” He added that there are many types of parrots, including African, Brazilian, and Belgian, and their prices range between SR3,000 and SR16,000, often more depending on the bird’s shape, size, and age. “The bird’s ability to speak and the fact that some birds memorize many prayers and songs may be a major factor in raising the value of the bird,” he explained.
Regular Attendees and Direct Deals
As the afternoon progresses, dozens of birds find new owners, and the excitement continues until the final cages are sold. The Friday auction offers a fascinating glimpse into a community united by a shared passion for birds. Youssef Mohammed, a bird enthusiast and collector who was witnessed bidding, told Arab News that he visits the market weekly to stay informed about new bird species, whether parrots, lovebirds, or other types. He noted that prices vary from season to season and are affected by supply and demand. “I come to the auction every Friday because I love birds. Sometimes, I come to see what is new and other times I come to buy new birds. This time, I am here to buy a gray or black color, and red tail African parrot. I know it is an expensive parrot with its prices ranging from SR1,300 to SR4,500 depending on its age and capability to talk.” Direct deals are also made between buyers and sellers without the need for an auctioneer.
Colorful Parakeets and Lovebirds in High Demand
One of the sellers at the market was Hameed Al-Wadaani, who, along with his daughter, were selling popular colorful green parakeets for about SR800, and lovebirds for between SR350 and SR500. “They are popular with many visitors and are in high demand. They are distinguished by their captivating colors. Most owners display them prominently in their homes or entrances,” he said. Some birds are purchased by experienced breeders, while others are bought by first-time hobbyists eager to begin a new passion.
