Its striking physical features and powerful chirping make the crested cormorant one of the most-sought species among bird lovers, often selling for thousands of ringgit each.

Varieties such as the eaglehead crested cormorant, white crested cormorant, grey crested cormorant, Indian crested cormorant, and the red-eyed albino crested cormorant – each with unique colours and vocal tones – further enhance the species’ value in the market.

Nik Muhammad Arif Afiq Roskayuszoki ventured into the merbah jambul business last year after recognising its potential for returns.

“At first, it was just a hobby during my free time: I had about five merbah jambul and often uploaded their pictures and videos on social media.

“But when I began receiving offers from prospective buyers, I realised this species had high market value, and that enthusiasts were willing to spend thousands just to own one,” the 28-year-old told Bernama in Tanah Merah, Kelantan recently.

Nik Arif thus kicked off his venture with an initial supply of 300 birds, determined to make merbah jambul breeding and selling his main source of income.

He now sources the birds almost every week from suppliers in Thailand, with an average shipment of 300 at a time, and is able to sell between 10 and 50 birds daily to customers across the country, either through walk-in purchases or livestock courier delivery.

“Prices start from RM50 per bird and can reach up to RM5,000 depending on the type, crest style, gender, colour, agility, and loudness of the chirp,” Nik Arif explained.

“Most walk-in customers want to see the birds in person to assess their agility, style, and unique vocal tone before making a purchase.”

He said caring for the merbah jambul is not difficult if one understands the basics, such as choosing a suitable cage, ensuring sufficient sunlight exposure, bathing the bird twice daily, and providing a proper diet.

“I usually give them a banana once a day along with vitamin-infused water, plus supplementary food such as mealworms, grasshoppers and crickets.

“A clean and well-maintained environment is important to keep the bird healthy and to enhance its chirping quality and agility, which are key factors buyers look for,” he highlighted.

According to Nik Arif, each merbah jambul has its own unique chirp depending on its variant and the environment. Some can even mimic the calls of other merbah species, adding to their charm.

He acknowledged that he is pleasantly surprised by how well his business is doing. In addition to breeding and selling merbah jambul, he sells laying hens and farm equipment such as egg incubators and birdcages.

“With the right knowledge and commitment, this has the potential to become a stable and rewarding career,” he said.

Follow Nik Arif’s bird-based business on TikTok.