Fanciers unite for new era of positivity in aviculture

 

Lovebird fanciers unite to launch a new era of positivity in Pakistan’s aviculture

Asher Butt

In a powerful display of unity, optimism and shared purpose, around 200 elite fanciers, breeders and traders of one of the world’s most adored feathered species—the lovebird—gathered under one roof to reaffirm their commitment to Pakistan’s aviculture sector and to mark the beginning of a new, positive chapter for the hobby and profession.

The landmark get-together was jointly organized by Lovebirds Lovers of Pakistan (LLP) and Pale Fellow Lovers (PLF), in collaboration with NS Aviary, owned and managed by renowned aviculturist Naveed Sheikh. Despite challenging weather conditions, the strong turnout reflected the deep passion and collective resolve of Pakistan’s lovebird community.

A collective pledge for positivity

During the gathering, participants unanimously pledged to begin the new year with renewed enthusiasm, vowing to stand united against negativity, misinformation and discouragement that have recently affected the aviculture field. The message was clear: progress can only be achieved through togetherness, mutual respect and constructive engagement.

Naveed Sheikh: Building trust and sharing success

Addressing the audience, Naveed Sheikh—widely known as the “Birdman of Pakistan”—highlighted the diversity within the aviculture community. He identified three main categories of breeders: traders, hobbyists, and those who keep birds as a secondary source of income.

“Regardless of why you breed birds, every aviculturist must promote positivity,” he emphasized. “Share success stories on social media and stop giving space to negativity. As senior fanciers, it is our responsibility to rebuild trust among common people and new hobbyists and bring them back to the field.”

He reminded attendees that their presence, despite unfavorable weather, was proof of their shared love for a small yet powerful creature—the lovebird—and urged everyone to respect fellow aviculturists.

Unity as strength

Veteran fancier Rana Jibran illustrated the importance of unity by comparing the community to a bundle of sticks—unbreakable when bound together. He noted that opportunists and fair-weather participants had already left the field, making it even more important for committed breeders to stand firm.

“Without lovebirds, aviculture cannot survive,” he stated. “Lovebirds are the pillar of this field, and together we can strengthen it.”

Aviculture: A dignified profession

Renowned figure Haris Raees, affectionately known as Baba-e-Lovebirds, described aviculture as one of the most respectable professions. He pointed out that it offers the unique advantage of earning a livelihood from one’s own home, combining passion with financial sustainability.

Lovebirds: The engine of aviculture

Sheikh Haneef, founder of one of Pakistan’s lovebird societies, termed lovebirds the “engine of aviculture.” Sharing his personal journey, he revealed how losses in his property business during and after COVID-19 were offset by his involvement in lovebirds breeding.

He warned that negativity, jealousy and nepotism have been major contributors to the decline of aviculture and called upon the community to replace these traits with unity and cooperation.

Looking ahead: Innovation and trends

Raheem Dhillon of Dhillon Aviary referred to all fanciers as the true stars of aviculture and expressed his desire to spend his retirement surrounded by birds. He urged the community to move forward, adopt modern trends and introduce novelty in lovebird breeding to stay relevant and competitive.

Pakistan’s global rise in lovebird breeding

Highlighting Pakistan’s growing international stature, Hanzala Shareef of Birds Shed Hanzala stated that local breeders have come a long way after a difficult journey, even surpassing breeders from China, Thailand and Indonesia. He noted that international breeders now admire and seek Pakistani mutations.

He stressed the importance of DNA laboratories in this progress and advised breeders to set aside ego, stop undermining each other and fully utilize social media to promote aviculture.

Science, social media and learning

Dr. Furqan, representing a DNA laboratory, emphasized the role of scientific support and regular gatherings in strengthening breeding standards. He described social media as the most effective tool for promotion in the modern era.

Similarly, Dr. Shamsa Hashami, widely known as the Bird Lady of Pakistan, underlined the educational value of such events. She highlighted how these platforms help breeders learn better care techniques and understand evolving trends, while also stressing the necessity of an active and responsible social media presence.

Quality and global recognition

Top exporter Mirza Atif Baig shared insights into Pakistan’s remarkable progress in developing lovebird mutations that are now recognized locally, regionally and internationally. He urged breeders to focus on quality over quantity to further enhance Pakistan’s reputation in the global market.

A nationwide call for unity

A fancier from Faisalabad echoed the central theme of the event, calling for the message of unity and positivity to spread across the country. He encouraged participants to organize similar gatherings within their own circles to promote lovebirds and aviculture at the grassroots level.

Recognizing new talent and team effort

The event concluded with the distribution of certificates of participation among new and upcoming fanciers, recognizing their enthusiasm and commitment to the field.

Organizers acknowledged that such a successful gathering was only possible through teamwork and collective support. Special appreciation was extended to Rana Jibran, Nasir Younus, Aun Raza Butt, Almas Sheikh, Ali Attar, Mohammad Hafeez, Sheikh Ahmad, Nasir Iqbal, Mazhar Ali Faridi, Shahyar Naeem, Fahad Zia and Saif Ur Rehman, whose efforts ensured the event’s success.

The initiative was further supported by Birds Genetic Centre, HS Labs, Agapornis Club of Pakistan, and Lovebirds Society of Pakistan, highlighting strong collaboration across the aviculture sector.

A new beginning

More than just a gathering, the event symbolized a renewed commitment to positivity, professionalism and progress. United by their shared love for lovebirds, Pakistan’s aviculturists sent a clear message: the future of aviculture lies in unity, innovation and mutual respect—and this journey has only just begun.