Birds Bridge [c.1883- ] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Birds Bridge [c.1883- ]

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Submitted by David on Thu, 2015-09-24 20:37
Current condition: 
In use
Date Place completed: 
c.1883-12-31 (Year, Month, Day are approximate)

Any ideas why it is called Birds Bridge?

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Photos that show this place

1880
1978
1981
See more photos of this place

Comments

Submitted by Herostratus on Sun, 2016-08-21 22:26.

Tenders asked for November 1882

Source

Submitted by David on Mon, 2016-08-22 13:55.

Thanks for that. I'll guess it was built in 1883, allowing a few months for the contract to be awarded then the work done the following year.

Reagrds, David

Submitted by flapjack2026 on Sat, 2019-01-12 14:00.

I live right above this bridge and recently learnt from Taxi drivers that this is called the "Birds bridge" (in Cantonese). What is the history behind this bridge? There is also a building across the road dated 1941 I think, does this building bare any significance besides being a beautiful antique? 

Submitted by moddsey on Sat, 2019-01-12 15:10.

Some information here in Para 3.4

Submitted by SiliconDioxide on Tue, 2019-12-31 01:40.

I only found 2 possible stories while wildly searching online:

  1. It was names so because in the 30s it was a popular marketplace for birds trading
  2. Or, the area didn't see huge development because of the vicinity of the seaman's hospital / lock hospital (special hospital for treating STD), so lots of big old trees remains, and huge flocks of birds would return to their nests on these trees, hence named.

Submitted by ChenQiao on Sat, 2022-02-19 19:40.

The 1978 photo shows the windows (behind the minibus) of the toilets, which were later blocked in the 2010 photo.

It was said this toilet was for males and many people were hit (~ 30 deaths) when crossing the street to use it. 

More details in The Stephen Au Show 

1978 - Western District
1978 - Bird Bridge, by Cliff Atkins
2010 'Bird's Bridge'
2010 'Bird's Bridge', by moddsey