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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,...
Migratory birds, Bidadari and the threat to MacRitchie forest…
“Migratory birds do not choose Bidadari over the Central Catchment and other patches of trees. Migratory birds simply turn up everywhere. There are thousands upon thousands of migratory birds that move through Singapore during the migratory months, mainly during the autumn passage (latter months of the year). Most passerines move during the night and will put down at the nearest green patch at dawn or when the weather becomes unfavourable (eg. heavy rain). They also become... Read More
Daurian Redstart Casting Pellets
“Shortly after a flock of Asian Openbills (Anastomus oscitans) made their first appearance in the northern part of Singapore LINK, another species made its first appearance in the South. It was a Daurian Redstart (Phoenicurus auroreus); a young female (judging by the prominence of its gape) that made its presence felt in Feb/Mar 2013 at the Gardens By The Bay (above & below). It was there for at least 4 weeks for birders, photographers and other... Read More
BAR-TAILED GODWIT FEEDING AND PREENING
“In January 2013, I was captivated by the feeding activity of Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica, Maori name: Kuaka) as they foraged along the shallow waters and exposed substrate of the Estuary of Avon/Heathcote in South Island, New Zealand, tramping around with muddy bills and muddy feet (above).
“Very often, the entire length of their pinkish bills would be fully inserted into the soft sediment as they repeatedly probed for their food (above).
“A... 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
Asian Openbills at Batang Tiga, Malacca, Malaysia
Lena Chow journeyed north to Kampong Batang Tiga in the Malaysian state of Malacca on 19th January 2013 to take in the sight of the migrating Asian Openbills (Anastomus oscitans). Masses of them made spectacular aerial display as they arrived to forage in the paddy fields (above, below). Their favourite food item may be the many apple snails found between the stumps of the rice plants. Their pincer-shaped bill-tip enables them to cut open the operculum of the snail, shake... Read More
Asian Openbill migrating south
Johnny Wee encountered the Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans) in Seletar West Link in January 2013 (above) – a first record for Singapore. This stork is resident to India, Sri Lanka to Thailand and Indochina.
Earlier on 9th January, David Li, Conservation Officer with Singapore’s Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, reported being informed by nature guide Tan Eng Chong that up to 1,000 Asian Openbills were sighted flying over the small fishing village of Kuala Gula in Perak,... Read More
Black-winged Stilt at Seletar, Singapore
“Here’s an uncommon winter visitor hanging out at a monsoon pond in a disused area at Seletar. The Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) has a long bill for probing into mud, but in this case, it seems quite happy snacking on water bugs at the water’s surface.
“It also bobs its head like a kingfisher from time to time, I wonder why.”
Lena Chow
Singapore
9th December... Read More
Masked Finfoot – immature male, foraging and roosting
“The Masked Finfoot (Heliopais personata) is a rare migrant and is globally vulnerable with some estimates putting it at fewer than 1,000 mature individuals (J. C. Eames in litt. 2007, see: HERE).
“I am grateful to Connie Khoo, a bird watching colleague, who alerted me when she spotted one. We were fortunate to see an immature male (from speckled white in face mask at throat) and were able to watch foraging for the better part of a morning and evening. The... Read More
Black Kite Reunion
William Ip sent in these images of the Black Kites (Milvus migrans) that he photographed at Victoria Peak, Hong Kong.
“There are about 1600 Black Kites resident in Hong Kong. Every winter, additional 2-3 thousands Black Kites migrate from the North to Hong Kong to join the resident birds,” wrote William. They scatter all over Hong Kong during day time, but group together in the evening around three places – the Stonecutter Island in Kowloon, Yeung Chau at... Read More
Migratory Terns: Flocking and Communal Bathing
“For more than a month, a flock of terns, consisting mostly of migratory White-Winged (Chlidonias leucopterus) and Whiskered (C. hybridus) terns, have been staying in and around Serangoon Reservoir. Both species are winter visitors and passage migrants; spending time here to replenish their energy before proceeding with their migratory journey further. Also present were some Little Terns (Sterna albifrons), but they seemed separate from the main flock.
“In late... Read More
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