Owls are expert hunters: many with big eyes, sharp talons, excellent hearing, and feathers adapted for silent flight to launch a kill and strike its prey in the night. And these are the same features that make them so alluring, and many in the world, birders and non-birders alike, adore them.
Here are 10 owls that can be found in Singapore. Can you name them? Have you seen them all? Which is your favourite?
From top row to bottom, left to right:
1. Brown boobook, 2. Buffy fish owl, 3. Oriental scops owl, 4. Short-eared owl, 5. Brown wood owl, 6. Spotted wood owl, 7. Barn owl, 8. Sunda scops owl, 9. Barred eagle-owl, 10. Northern boobook
Pittas are a group of birds that are often described as jewels of the forest because of their bright and colourful plumage. Here, we have four species of pittas that have been recorded in Singapore. From left to right: Mangrove pitta, Fairy pitta, Blue-winged pitta, Hooded pitta
Pittas are a group of birds that are often described as jewels of the forest because of their bright and colourful plumage. Here, we have four species of pittas that have been recorded in Singapore. From left to right: Mangrove pitta, Fairy pitta, Blue-winged pitta, Hooded pitta
Pittas are a group of birds that are often described as jewels of the forest because of their bright and colourful plumage. Here, we have four species of pittas that have been recorded in Singapore. From left to right: Mangrove pitta, Fairy pitta, Blue-winged pitta, Hooded pitta
The 9 Kingfishers of tropical island Singapore! Bird watchers and photographers try their best to photograph and see all 9 of them. Have you seen them all yet?
The 9 Kingfishers of tropical island Singapore! Bird watchers and photographers try their best to photograph and see all 9 of them. Have you seen them all yet?
The 9 Kingfishers of tropical island Singapore! Bird watchers and photographers try their best to photograph and see all 9 of them. Have you seen them all yet?
Fairly common but small, often rather shy, and inconspicuous. Beautiful blue-and-orange plumage, in combination with habitat and habits, is basically unmistakable. Found along rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds—almost any fresh or brackish habitat with small fish. Often perches quietly in trees over water; most often seen in very fast low flight as a turquoise flash over the water, usually flying away. Easily detected once its high, shrill whistled call is learned, even if the bird itself is hidden.
A mid-sized kingfisher with a variable plumage pattern; nearly 50 subspecies described worldwide. All of them have a greenish-blue crown, a white spot above the lores, a black mask extending down as a narrow band across the hindneck, and a white collar. Upperparts are greenish-blue, rump brighter blue, with blue wings and tail and white underparts. Female and juvenile slightly duller. Subspecies mainly differ in plumage, with upperparts varying from blue to green to olive-toned, white loral spot sometimes extending as a supercilium, and underparts sometimes buffier. Gives carious vocalizations, but most common call is a “kek-kek-kek-kek.” Frequents mangroves and tidal creeks, though sometimes inhabits other coastal habitats, including cocon
A diminutive dark blue kingfisher with no rufous on the ear-patch. It has an orange spot in front of the eye, white ear tufts on the sides of the neck, and an ultramarine-blue head and neck with darker blue bands giving it a scaly appearance. Upperparts glossy dark blue with paler blue central band down the back to the rump. White chin and throat with deep orange underparts. Males have black bill with brownish-red base, while females have almost entirely red bill. Juvenile also has dark blue upperparts, but has rufous cheeks and ear-coverts similar to Common Kingfisher. Inhabits well-shaded waterways in forested area
Large-headed, predominantly brown kingfisher with electric-blue back and wings, heavy orange bill, and snow-white patch from the throat through the breast. Common both near and away from water; frequently seen perched on fence posts and telephone lines near wetlands, lakes, agricultural fields, and clearings. Gives jarring, raptor-like descending trills and cackles, often in flight.
An unmistakable mid-sized kingfisher with a jet black head, white collar, and blood-red bill. It has purple-blue upperparts and pale orange-rufous underparts. Throat is white, blue tail has black underside, and in flight, white flashes on the underwings are conspicuous. Juvenile is duller blue with a small rufous-buff spot in front of the eye, a buffy collar, and dusky scaling on the breast.
Boldly marked black-and-white kingfisher with short, bushy crest and glossy all-dark bill. Superficially similar to Crested Kingfisher, but smaller, with much more distinctly patterned head and breast and less erect crest. Frequently seen perched in pairs or small groups. Often hovers over water when seeking prey. Inhabits a wide range of waterside habitats, from lakes to estuaries to mangroves.
The stork-billed kingfisher, is a tree kingfisher which is widely but sparsely distributed in the tropical Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India to Indonesia.
The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest (& also the cutest) of the 13 otter species. Currently in Singapore, it can only be found in Pulau Ubin & Tekong
Found in the cold waters of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean, sea otters have the densest fur among all animals which helps to keep them warm.
This beautiful bird’s most distinguishing feature is its yellow & white bill. Their population in Singapore have increased over the years & can now be found in the urban centre of Singapore.
Despite its name, the buffy fish owl can also be found in forests and its diet consists of other food including insects, crabs, frogs, small birds and even small mammals as well.
Mammals of Singapore, featuring the Sunda Pangolin, Greater Mouse Deer, Malayan Colugo, Smooth-coated Otter, Leopard Cat, and the Raffles' Banded Langur
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