Drinking Coffee with Parrots: The Rise of Bird Cafes in Xiamen

Xiamen Evening News (Reporter Liu Jiaying) – In recent years, the “pet economy” has been on the rise, giving birth to a new business model: “pet + coffee.” This innovative concept has led to the emergence of various pet-themed coffee shops in Xiamen, including bird cafes.

A New Trend in Bird Cafes

Cookie Bird Café in Yuhou Nanli is one such example. With over 100 parrots from more than ten species, this coffee shop has become a popular destination for bird enthusiasts. The owner introduced that the parrots include peony, budgie, cockatoo, and sunbird that can be domesticated, as well as some that can only be viewed, such as the moon ring, gray parrot, umbrella parrot, and keck.

Why Pet Cafes are Attracting Young People

Yue Yingping, a first-year graduate student in Xiamen, has been raising birds with her father since she was a child. For her, parrots are not just pets, but also a source of joy and spiritual support. “I like birds very much. I used to bring the sun parrots I raised at home with me to play with, and I would take the parrots out for walks and slides at night.”

Diversifying the Pet Cafe Experience

Some pet cafes require customers to make a purchase before interacting with the pets, while others operate by selling tickets. Huang Xinpeng’s cafe, for example, offers various cute pet “companionship” packages, including a full-day and full-court play experience for one person, with no time limit.

The Challenges Facing Pet Cafes

As the “pet economy” industry chain continues to improve, the emergence of pet cafes has attracted more people to enter and set up shop. However, this has led to increased competition and homogeneity. Some consumers are also worried about being scratched by small animals and the strong smell of excrement, which affects their experience.

Increasing Stickiness after the Novelty Wears Off

According to the “White Paper on China’s Pet Industry in 2023-2024 (Consumption Report),” the scale of China’s urban pet consumption market will reach 279.3 billion yuan in 2023 and is expected to jump to 361.3 billion yuan by 2026. To stay competitive, pet cafes need to focus on providing a unique and personalized experience for customers, while also ensuring the health and well-being of the animals.

Conclusion

The rise of bird cafes in Xiamen is a testament to the growing popularity of the “pet economy.” While there are challenges facing pet cafes, there is still room for development and innovation. By focusing on customer experience and animal welfare, pet cafes can ensure a healthy and sustainable business model.