Greater Racquet-tailed Drongo

The most conspicuous and well-known drongo is all the biggest in the region and the most spectacular. Glossy black bird with red eye, large size and somewhat rounded crown.

S'pore Botanic Gardens

Tailed forked not square, the two outer feathers having elongated bare shafts (up to 25 com) and large rounded and twisted racquets. Many birds have one or both racquets broken off, but traces of elongated broken shafts are usually visible, and large size, profile and forked tail without any upturning at tips are then distinctive.

Bt Timah Nature Reserves

Calls frequently, giving a variety of harsh and bubbling, bell-like notes, including good imitations of many other birds. Found in lowland forest, plantations, secondary growth. I have seen this bird in several places in Singapore, notably in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Southern Ridges.

Source:

Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore (2007)
Birds of Malaysia and Singapore (2010)

Black-Naped Oriole

A very common resident and familiar to many Singaporeans as it occurs whereever there are sufficient tall trees in which to perch and feed. It is a most attractive bird of brilliant yellow plumage with a wide black stripe through the eye and round the back of the neck, with a distinctive red bill.
It frequents tree tops and never comes to the ground preferring to feed on fruits, berries, and insects on the foliage. Its fast and direct flight can easily be recognised at a distance due to the unusual manner of freezing its flapping motion at intervals.

A very vocal bird particularly first thing in the morning and has a variety of flufy notes issued in a rapid ascending and descending manner. Call is a melodious four-note whistle, "what the devil!" with much individual variation.

Source:
A Guide to Common Birds of Singapore (2002); Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore (2007)

Olive-Backed Sunbird

The olive-backed sunbird, which is the smallest of sunbirds, is a common resident seen wherever there are suitable flowering shrubs and may occur regularly in parks and gardens very close to buildings. Tiny but very active, often in pairs, with territorial males pursuing each other from treetop to treetop.

The male (above) has an irridescent purple throat contrasting sharply with the bright yellow breast and the latter feature is also present on the female (below). The olive back is a confusing distinction as many other females have this but note that the white tips of the tail feathers which help to separate it from the similar and equally common Brown-throated Sunbird.

The sunbird takes nectar from a wide range of flower species and shapes, including mangrove trees as well as garden flowers, plus many invertebrates, especially spiders. Continuous calls as it feeds with precise clicking noises. Builds a bulbous nest of moss and lichen as shown in the photograph above.

source:
A Guide to Common Birds of Singapore (2002)
Birds of Malaysia and Singapore (2010)

Scaly-Breasted Munia

One of the commoner munias in gardens and towns, this bird can often be seen on overgrown roadside verges. At close quarters, it is a very attractive bird which has white spots on the breast in the shape of scales and a large seed-eating bill typical of its family.

photo: Dairy Farm Nature Park, S'pore

Commonly found in the short or long grass of parks, gardens, golf courses and rural areas, always occuring in small flocks which may comprise other munias. It is a common resident and will nest in low bushes making a structure of domed grass.

Eats many types of grass seed, as well as ripening rice. Often hunted by birds of prey and are constantly on the move in rapid fluctuating flight before gliding into cover to other feeding locations.

Source:

A Guide to the Common Birds of Singapore (2002)
Birds of Malaysia and Singapore (2010)
Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore (1995)

Collared Kingfisher

The Collared Kingfisher is unquestionably Singapore's most commonly sighted kingfisher. Of 24 cm in length, it is an unmistakable bird with bluish-green head, upper parts and wings, and a white collar adjoining white underparts. The white collar is a prominent division between the crown and back and is edged with a thin black line only visible at close quarters.

Photo: The presence of the Collared Kingfisher is unmistakable for its boisterous calls can be heard from afar. These photos were taken in NUS Kent Ridge campus.

Probably the most vocal of all kingfishers, with harsh, loud territorial calls typcially consisting of repeater clusters of 2-4 shrieks. Frequently issues a noisy shriek resembling a saw grinding against metal which sounds like "kree chah kree chah". It is an attractive bird with a loud voice that is best described as harsh loud maniacal laughter, it also has a gentler chup-kree call when at rest.

Also a common resident to be found in parks and gardens and near the seashore or close to reservoirs. Nests in tree holes or earth banks which it may select from a number of prospective sites and defends aggressively from any possible competitors. The sexes generally look alike although females overall appear more with green tones than blue as compared to the males.

They are fond of lizards, frogs, small snakes and fish. Perched on a suitable branch, the kingfishers regularly collect mantids, geckos and tadpoles from the ground as food.

source:

A guide to common birds of Singapore (2002)
Birds of Malaysia and Singapore (2010)

Scarlet-Backed Flowerpecker

God spoke: "Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life! Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!" God created the huge whales, all the swarm of life in the waters, And every kind and species of flying birds. God saw that it was good. - Genesis 1:20-21

A tiny bird of the tree tops, the flowerpecker measures just 9 cm long and may weigh as little as four grams. A twenty-cent coin is heavier than this little wonder.

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It is constantly on the move feeding on flower nectar, buds and small insects and is fairly common where these occur. However, due to its very small size, it may be easily missed. It presence may be discerned by the repetitive ticking call "tut tut tut" issued in flight as it moves from tree to tree.

this tiny flowerpecker visited the bamboo plant in our planter box (Hillview, S'pore)

The male is black with a wide red band running from the crown to the rump giving the appearance of a painted stripe. The bill and feet are black while the eyes are dark brown. Its underparts are whitish with grey to the sides of the breast and flanks.

Separated from the sunbirds by their rather squat appearance due to their very short tail and their short bills.

Sources:
A Guide to Common Birds of Singapore (2002)
BIRDS seen at the ISTANA (2005)

Oriental Magpie-Robin

It has been a while since I last blogged. Have been spending my time taking photos of birds in Singapore. Thus, I am restarting my blog by featuring the many variety of birds that I have photographed.

Let me begin with the Magpie Robin - "the robin is a delightful bird to observe as it is active and tends to be found in open areas near human habitation. It is also a well-known song bird possessing a repertoire of calls ranging from a loud melodius song to a mournful rising whistle and even an alarm note best described as a harsh che-ee. When it sings, it is conspicuous, as it loves to exercise its musical talent from exposed perches." (BIRDs seen at the ISTANA, 2005)

photo: male Magpie Robin (Botanic Gardens)

Its habitats range from the mangroves to gardens and parks. It drops to the ground for insects, worms and small vertebrates. I took these two photos at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Both are male - distinguished by a glossy black head, breast and upper parts with a blue tinge. The rest of the underparts are white while the tail is black with white outer feathers. There is a also a prominent bold white wingbar. (Females are more subdued grey and cream with a white wingbar)

A common bird in the past, the population of Oriental Magpie plummeted due to its ease of capture and its attractive singing voice. Popular as pets, its melodius calls are music to the ears. Attempts have been made in recent years to reintroduce birds in certain areas and this appears to be successful.