Egrets aplenty at NUS

If you study or work in NUS campus, you would have noticed that egret sightings are common all over places especially in grasslands. As for me, I usually find them at the SRC field area foraging for food in the grasses.


According to Ivan, these are cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) where the brown streaks appear only when they are breeding.

Ivan added "I've read on the Bird Ecology Study Group that the cattle egrets in the western side of Singapore are likely to be free-flying birds from Jurong Bird Park, supplemented with migrants during this time of the year."

Thanks Ivan for the correction. I first thought it was an intermediate egret which has quite different body proportions as compared to the cattle egret.


The staircase at the back is the one leading to Lower Kent Ridge Road from the AYE across the SRC field. It's nice to see birds in the wild even at places that are not that wild.

More sightings of egrets at NUS here and here.

Changi cockatoos and hornbills

During a low tide walk last week at Changi, not only did we marvel at the rich biodiversity of the shore during super low tide, we also encountered several beautiful birds like the cockatoos and hornbills.


We spotted three Tanimbar Cockatoo (Cacatua goffini) foraging for food at the grassland. According to The Exotic Village Birds of Changi! by Subaraj Rajathurai:

"You may have heard some exotic screeching in Changi Viillage as you tucked into a meal after some hearty explorations in Ubin. Well, wonder no more, and soon you will have a better idea of what to look out for!

The cockatoo at Changi Village is the Tanimbar Cockatoo (Cacatua goffini). There are usually about 5 birds around the village Angsana trees along the main road and they actually nest in tree holes of a couple of those trees.

There are up to 20 Tanimbar Cockatoos in the Loyang/Changi area. Elsewhere in Singapore, there are a few populations of the Tanimbar Cockatoo including about 40 on Sentosa. The Tanimbar Cockatoo is native only to the Tanimbar Islands of Wallacea"


The Tanimbar Cockatoo in Singapore feeds on the fruits of various trees in particular the Sea Almond (Terminalia catappa) which these birds are picking from the ground. Although these cockatoos are not native here, Singapore has become the most accessible place to see this species in the wild. :-)


I love this photograph shot, with two cockatoos doing the same action with the sea almond fruits.


Soon, they flew to the trees as we approached a little too near them.


Don't you think they are darlings? :-)

At another part of Changi, we found even more spectacular birds, hornbills!


According to Ria's online guide to Chek Jawa, the Oriental pied-hornbills (Anthracoceros albirostris) are the only truly wild hornbills found on Singapore. "Unlike most other hornbills, Oriental pied-hornbills can be found outside primary rainforests and may visit inhabited areas to feed on fruit. But they still depend on large living trees for nesting sites." Adelle told me there are hornbills flying over from Ubin to Changi and I guess these hornbills I've seen are from Ubin.


The Oriental pied-hornbill is basically a black-and-white bird: mostly black with a white belly and thighs, and white accents around the eye, on the wing tips and tail.


Oriental pied-hornbills often forage in pairs or small groups, often rather quietly for such large birds.


The Oriental pied-hornbill plays an important role in the health of the forest as it disperses seeds that are too big for smaller birds to eat.


Hornbills eat mainly fruit, but they also take insects and small animals including reptiles, birds and mammals.

What a wonderful morning out at Changi to be with these birds!

Javan myna visits my house

I was on my computer desk working and heard chirpings. A quick look reveals a Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) perching near my window.

According to Wikipedia,

"The Javan Myna, also known as the white-vented myna and the buffalo myna, is a myna, a member of the Starling family. It is a successful species in much of South East Asia and has penetrated into India and neighbouring regions.

The Javan Myna is considered a pest, especially in urban areas which they prefer. They deposit droppings over buildings and even on unsuspecting human beings. Their roost also contaminate the ground below by the droppings. Apart from that, they are also a source of noise pollution and are capable of spreading zoonoses. In Singapore, the Javan Myna is one of the species of birds which can be killed by citizens without breaching of law.

They are also available at most Singapore bird shops at a very cheap cost, thus, many of them are bought and release into the wild and damaging the ecosystem of Singapore even further."






I'm not too sure what does the feather-raising action means which I always observe with these mynas. Haha. Any clue?

Asian Glossy Starling at Changi

A visit to the Changi boardwalk area last week revealed a wonderful sunrise during dawn. And the nibong (Oncosperma sp.) stems attract several Asian Glossy Starlings (Aplonis panayensis).

What a wonderful sight!


Starling on the top of the stem with the full moon as a backdrop.


Close up of the Asian Glossy Starling.


To learn about more these birds, please take a look at the Bird Ecology Study Group blog where this post talks about these starlings at the same location, with also a sighting of feeding chicks.

The doves of NUS

Siyang has been very efficient on reporting the birds spotted in NUS and through him, I'm able to better appreciate that within the school, there is so much wonder we can fascinate with.

Can't resist but also to share some photos of the peaceful or zebra doves found. The last time we went the hatchings were small. Shuyi and I went to check out the nest this morning and guess what they have grown up and are about to fly anytime soon, judging from how I see them flapping their wings.

Wanted to update and follow up on SY's post and after a quick cherck, wow he has actually done the update. Cool.

Nevertheless, here you go, my photos.


The one on the right should be either their mother or father.


A closer look at the parent.






Flapping and getting ready for the launch.

And here's the video taken of the birds :-)

Sunbird at my corridor

A boring day was brightened a bit by this common Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarina jugularis) that decidedly flew up 11 storeys high to a plant along my corridor. Since I managed to take a couple photos, thus, also looked up more about this bird from Ria's Sungei Buloh page.

From the webpage, it mentioned,

"The Olive-backed Sunbird is very bold and often builds nests close to and even in human habitation (balconies, porches, corridors). Not surprisingly then, it is among the most common Sunbirds in this region.

Sunbirds survive mainly on nectar, although they may snack on the occasional insect. Their nectar extraction equipment include: a long, slender, decurved bill with fine serration along the margins of both mandibles; and a tubular, deeply cleft tongue. Males are particularly territorial and may defend a good feeding site from other Sunbirds.

Although it is said that they cannot hover like true hummingbirds (which are found only in tropical Americas), Sunbirds can hover briefly. But they do prefer to cling to a nearby stem or vegetation as they sip nectar. They may "steal" the nectar by piercing through the base of the flower than going through the front of the flower (thus avoiding payment of pollinating services in exchange for the nectar reward).

They forage both at tree tops and among lower bushes. Like other Sunbirds, the Olive-backed male is more colourful than the female. In fact, females of most species of Sunbirds look very similar."



Status in Singapore: Very common resident throughout the island, including North and South offshore islands.

Though its a very common bird, I still like you :-)

Nested Beauty!

Thanks to Siyang for disclosing the locations for these beauties and for trusting me... here are some gems to share from NUS Science.


An oriental white eye


The female pink-necked green pigeon. I saw the male one today. The male one explain's its name with pink neck. They are REALLY beautiful.. have been longing to see them.Finally!


Youtube video which I uploaded with some movements of the pink neck green pigeon. If u notice well, there are eggs!! (Just uploaded as I've posted, so will be available in a while)