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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,...
Asian Koel – Aggression or Duetting?
“Two or more Asian Koels (Eudynamys scolopacea) in apparent confrontation is a scene commonly seen or heard in locations where there are House Crows (Corvus splendens) and Asian Koels. These usually happen in the early mornings or evenings. Their antics has been recorded by YC LINK, Lena Chow LINK and Kwong Wai Chong LINK.
“In the area around my condominium, the behaviour is also frequently heard but more difficult to observe because the actions take place high... Read More
Little Heron – social behaviour
“Little Herons (Butorides striata) have become increasingly common in the urban neighbourhood. I estimate 3-4 adults in a 1.5 km radius. We see them almost daily on the electric wires, commonly at dawn and dusk.
“My wife had just gone out to the market when she returned immediately to say two Little Heron were ‘having a go’ on a wire nearby. I quickly joined her with my camera. Light was still limited but views were adequate. They were 3-4 meters... Read More
Common Greenshanks’ aggressive behaviour
William Ip is sharing his images of waders that he photographed in Nam San Wai, Hong Kong, somewhere near the Wetland Park sometime last year. Field ornithologist Wang Luan Keng thought the above pair of birds to be Spotted Redshanks (Tringa erythropus) and suggested that David Li of Singapore’s Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve should be consulted as he is among the best in shorebird identification. Well, David confirmed Luan’s ID.
David also identified the Common... 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
Coppersmith Barbets allobilling?
Through the courtesy of Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS we were made aware of Simon van der Meulen‘s image of a pair of Coppersmith Barbets (Megalaima haemacephala) with bills interlocked, one firmly perched on a branch and the other hanging freely. The image was photographed on 21st December 2012 in a public park in Bangkok, Thailand.
According to Simon, “We first thought that one [of the barbets] was just feeding the other, but once looking through the binoculars,... Read More
Less House Crows… more Asian Koels…
The Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea) is a brood parasite that sneaks into the nests of House Crow (Corvus splendens) to lay her eggs (above). The bird is a resident species but during the northern winter months, the local population is supplemented by migratory species. It has a sharp, shrill call LINK that some locals find irritating – especially when made during the early hours of the morning.
The number of koels in Singapore has been increasing slowly through the... Read More
Feeding frenzy and rice left for stray dogs
The following images show how different species of birds interact…
The image above was taken at Singapore’s Pasir Ris Farmway 3, showing, from left, a Baya Weaver (P. philippinus), an African Golden-backed Weaver (Ploceus jacksoni) and a Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), all feeding on a packet of rice.
The images above and below were taken further down Pasir Ris Coast Industrial Park 6. The Baya Weavers and Eurasian Tree Sparrows (Passer montanus) were... Read More
AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR OF STRIATED HERON: Fight, Flight or Fright?
“On the 24th July 2012, I was observing the fishing antics of Striated Herons (Butorides striatus) along the concrete banks of Rochor Canal, where they were seeking out fish prey at the water’s edge with unwavering concentration (above).
“At one particular inlet to the canal, there appeared to be a relatively higher concentration of fish, where the water was shallow and clear – definitely a choice fishing spot from any heron’s perspective. It was at this... Read More
Male Olive-backed Sunbird attacking female
Angela Wong Foong Lin sent in her encounter with a male Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarinia jugularis) on 13th April 2012.
“I witnessed a male Olive-backed Sunbird attacking a female in the terrace outside my office today,” wrote Angela (left).
“He chased her around the terrace ceiling for a long time, dashing into the wall and glass windows a few times (I could hear the thud when they hit the surfaces). Then he chased her to the ground, pinned her down and... Read More
Aggressive behaviour of Purple Swamphen
On 1st April 2011, Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS was birdwatching at his favourite ex-mining pool just outside the Malaysian city of Ipoh in the state of Perak. This pool is adjacent to limestone hills and secondary growth.
There was a Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio viridis) about 8-10 meters from him in the overgrown pond. Suddenly another swamphen, about 20 meters away launched itself, flew in and chased the one he was watching away (above). This second swamphen did not... Read More
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