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Mangrove Whistler Spotted at Tampines Eco Green

on 7th August 2015

“The Mangrove Whistler (Pachycephala cinerea) is a rare resident that has not been seen on mainland Singapore for a very long time. The only known location where this bird can be found regularly is the off shore island of Pulau Hantu.

“Surprised to encounter this bird at Tampines Eco Green, which seemed to be the Mangrove Whistler. Sharing these images here for verification as well as to make known about its presence on mainland Singapore. Hopeful that I am not wrong with its id.

“First spotted this bird while it was flying across a path from one wooded patch to another. It landed on a perch that had many small branches surrounding it. It did not stayed still for long as it moved from branch to branch. Photography was challenging as it was mostly under shade and blocked. I am lucky to get some decent record shots of this rare bird. It stayed within view for less than a minute before disappearing deep into the wooded area. Unable to follow it into the swampy area.”

Kwong Wai Chong
Singapore
28th July 2015

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

2 Responses

  1. Hi Wai Chong,

    Certainly appears to be a Mangrove Whistler. It is probably a stray from Malaysia where the species is still found in various coastal mangrove areas. Like the Mangrove Pitta and Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, this mangrove species must come across from time to time, as a post-breeding dispersant or a displacement due to development. It is probably overlooked due to its dull colours. Yeo Suay Hwee photographed one in Upper Seletar some years ago.

    It is true that this species may now be extinct as a resident on the main island of Singapore, and possibly Pulau Ubin, where it also used to be a regular resident. It is still fairly common on Pulau Tekong, where it has adapted to woodlands throughout the island. In the southern islands, a pair survives on Pulau Hanu and it is also found on Pulau Sudong and Pulau Semakau, with a single record from Lazarus.

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