“Between March to May 2013, regular monitoring of a small flock of Chinese Pond-herons (Ardeola bacchus) in Singapore enabled me to witness their gradual plumage transition from non-breeding to breeding. When they are at rest or on the lookout, they may be perched high up on the branches of trees (above, non-breeding plumage).
“Most of the time, they would be on the ground amongst the grass, very much engrossed in the need to feed (above, non-breeding... Read More
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The Birds of Singapore – an online book
In May 1943, GC Madoc published “An Introduction to Malayan Birds.” He wrote his manuscript in Singapore’s Changi Prison where he was interned when the country fell into the...
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Videocam: A powerful tool for studying birds
1. Collecting birds: In the 19th century the equipment needed to study birds was the gun. Another skill necessary was a good stuffing technique in order to preserve the specimens....
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Documenting bird calls and songs
Many local birdwatchers are able to recognise the birds behind the songs. However, interest in most cases ends there except for a few who make basic recordings. Erik Mobrand...
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Should attempts be made to tame wild birds?
The first part of the series by aviculturist Lee Chiu San deals with whether birds can be tamed and whether they will remain tamed. The second part looks at whether it is...
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Postings your observations and images
Why should you post your observations and images? Southeast Asian birds are poorly studied in terms of behaviour and ecology. By posting your observations (and this include...
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Nature Society: The struggle for Singapore’s nature areas
The above paper has just been published. Nature in Singapore is a peer-reviewed, online journal that publishes articles on the flora and fauna (e.g., biology, botany, zoology,...
CHINESE POND-HERON – PLUMAGE TRANSITION
“Between March to May 2013, regular monitoring of a small flock of Chinese Pond-herons (Ardeola bacchus) in Singapore enabled me to witness their gradual plumage transition from non-breeding to breeding. When they are at rest or on the lookout, they may be perched high up on the branches of trees (above, non-breeding plumage).
“Most of the time, they would be on the ground amongst the grass, very much engrossed in the need to feed (above, non-breeding... Read More
WHITE-FACED HERONS FEEDING
“In January 2013, I had opportunities to witness the feeding behaviour of White-faced Herons (Ardea novaehollandiae, Maori name: Matuku) while exploring South Island, New Zealand. On 9th January, a heron was foraging among a dense mat of aquatic vegetation along a tidal inlet at Picton (above). It would make occasional but accurate strikes at small crustaceans (shrimp and crabs) that would be appropriate for an appetizer.
“On 10th January, a hungry heron was... Read More
Little Egret – breeding plumage transformation
“Lots of Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta garzetta) in the city and possible to get close, using the car as a hide, when they are at an open sewage/septic tank/pond to fish [above image shows a small section of the group]. There were 35 at this site. And I used the opportunity to get some observations on breeding plumage transformation. I took serial images of birds and used these to determine three issues: change in facial skin colour, chest and back plumes, and nape... Read More
Eastern Cattle Egret Eating A Frog
“A common winter visitor and passage migrant in Singapore, the Cattle Egret [now known as Eastern Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus)] is often found in open fields where they forage for food.
“I found a pair of Eastern Cattle Egrets foraging by a canal in late February 2013. One was still completely white in its winter dress, while the other had shades of orange-buff on its head, neck and back (above). As I was observing them, the bird that was assuming breeding... Read More
Chinese Egret Foraging Amongst Waves
“The Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes), a globally threatened species, was encountered recently. It is an uncommon winter visitor in Singapore.
“I was at Changi Beach Park when a white egret was spotted in the distance. It was being chased by a crow just metres above the sea (above). After shaking off the crow, it landed on the serene beach and proceeded to forage at a leisurely pace. Walking nearer, I had a feeling that it could be a Chinese Egret in... Read More
Birds feeding on rats in the rice fields of Ulu Dedap, Perak, Malaysia
Ulu Dedap in the Malaysian state of Perak is an extensive rice farming area about 90 minutes drive from where Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS lives.
“I have often seen birds use human activities to aid in their foraging. On three occasions this morning [24th January 2013] I saw larger groups of raptors, herons, egrets (once in excess of 200) forage around tractors that were clearing fields that had been harvested (above). The birds were after the many rats that were killed [or... Read More
Yellow Bittern – leucistic?
“Visited the UTAR Campus, Kampar, Perak with my wife to enjoy some cycling in this lovely ‘green’ Campus which is built around rehabilitated ex-mining pools (now wetlands). Lots of herons, egrets, bitterns, etc.
“We arrived early and my wife, a great bird spotter, saw this unusual looking bittern. The sun was just coming over a ridge at 8.30 am, but views were good and this bittern definitely looked very pale. I am certain it is an adult male Yellow... Read More
Intermediate Egret with odd looking wings
“This intermediate egret (Mesophoyx intermedia) was observed during the early part of this month. It was at the same area around the pond for 3 consecutive weeks. I noticed that the wings look a bit odd and thought that it might have been injured. It was capable of flying across the pond but I thought it may have a problem flying long distances. It was no longer there the last time I went, either recovered or probably was not injured all along.”
Lim Sheau... Read More
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON – DIVERSITY OF FISH PREY
“After numerous nights of monitoring the Black-crowned Night Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) along the canal near my home, a summary of its fish prey reveals that it consumes at least seven species, all of which are adapted to estuarine/tidal conditions. Apart from the catfish and rabbitfish previously reported, other fish species include:
Green Mollies (Poecilia sphenops) (above),
Crescent Perch (Terapon jarbua) (above),
Mullet (family Mugilidae) (above),
Green... Read More
Cattle Egret’s association with a horse
The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis coromundus) is so-called because of its close association with cattle. As the cattle move, they stir up the insects allowing the egret to pounce on them. In the absence of cattle, the egret stay close to water buffaloes LINK.
Now, Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS has documented the Cattle Egret’s association with a horse at a semi-urban location in a limestone hill area at Tambun, in Perak, Malaysia. This image was taken on 11th August 2012.... Read More
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