A variety of exotic bird species from around 20 countries are kept in custom-built enclosures at Laventana Restaurant in Erbil, where visitors can view them while dining. Photo: 964media.
Erbil restaurant doubles as home to thousands of exotic birds
ERBIL — In the Kurdistan Region’s capital, Laventana Restaurant has become known not only for its food but also for housing thousands of exotic birds from around the world.
For more than a year, the restaurant has kept dozens of species from about 20 countries in specially built enclosures, where six staff members care for them daily.
“For more than a year I have collected many kinds of birds from 20 different countries, and six people continuously care for them every day. The birds’ daily expenses are about 500,000 Iraqi dinars [$357],” owner Sheikh Lawand told 964media. He said there are now about 2,000 birds in one corner of the restaurant, which visitors can view while dining.
“This is my hobby and I work here, so I settled in this place and take care of them myself every day,” he said, adding that children in particular enjoy the setting.
Lawand said a private veterinarian visits monthly to check the birds’ health and provide treatment when needed. He also pointed to one family of birds, the cockatiel, which began with just a few and has grown to 100.