Singapore Birding Trip Report - (28th July 2017 & 26th August 2017) - Species List and Locations

Day 1 – Singapore Botanic Gardens – 28^th July 2017

Olive-backed Sunbird – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Tanglin Gate) First seen at small creek near Tanglin Gate. 4+ seen including several males. Abundant in Queensland, Australia where numerous were seen.

White-breasted Waterhen – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Tanglin Gate creek). First seen wading along the edge of the small creek at Tanglin Gate. 5 individuals seen in total.

Javan Myna – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Tanglin Gate) Seen feeding on the paths. Extremely common in Singapore.

Crimson Sunbird – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Marsh Garden) Male and female seen feeding on flowers at the Marsh Garden. Only birds of the trip.

Common Tailorbird – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Marsh Garden) A small handful seen in the shrubs and trees, first seen in the trees opposite the Marsh Garden.

House Swift – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) 1 seen flying low over Swan Lake. White rump clear. Only bird of the trip.

Germain's Swiftlet – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) Extremely abundant. First seen flying over Swan Lake in small groups.

Grey-headed Fish Eagle – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake). Seen sat in trees above Swan Lake and later seen in flight. Only bird of the trip.

Grey-rumped Treeswift – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) Seen flying high over Swan Lake. Only bird of the trip.

Pink-necked Green Pigeon – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) Males seen sat in trees around Swan Lake. Females also seen at Pasir Ris Park.

Olive-winged Bulbul – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) Feeding on the ground under small bridge at Swan Lake. Only bird of the trip.

Oriental Magpie-Robin – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) Sat in trees on south side of Swan Lake. 4 seen in total. Also seen again at Pasir Ris Park.

Yellow-vented Bulbul – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) First seen in the trees near Swan Lake. A good number seen in total and quite abundant.

Blue-throated Bee-eater – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Swan Lake) First seen in the trees on the south side of Swan Lake, then again  near the Evolution/Healing Garden. 3 seen in total.

White-bellied Sea Eagle – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Ginger Garden) 1 seen flying overhead. Several more seen in Queensland, Australia.

Asian Glossy Starling – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Orchid Plaza) A good number seen in small flocks. Also seen again at Pasir Ris Park.

Spotted Dove – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Palm Valley) A pair seen feeding on the grass at Palm Valley. A good handful seen, also abundant in Queensland, Australia.

Pacific Swallow – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Palm Valley) Pair first seen flying low over the grass at Palm Valley. Several seen throughout including over Symphony Lake.

Red Junglefowl – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Rainforest Area). First seen in the Rainforest Area underneath the shrubs. A good handful seen throughout, including several on the open grassy areas.

Black-naped Oriole – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Rainforest Area) First seen in the trees on the west side of the Rainforest Area. A small number seen throughout. Males.

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Symphony Lake). First seen by the lake flying from tree to tree. A small number seen throughout. Males.

Common Iora – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Corner House) Male first seen in high trees at Corner House. Abundant at Pasir Ris Park.

Common Hill Myna – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Corner House) 2 seen in total. First seen in the trees at Corner House.

Oriental White-eye – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Evolution Garden) One seen in the trees. Only bird of the trip.

Brown-throated Sunbird – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Evolution Garden) One seen perched low down in the trees at Evolution Garden. More seen at Pasir Ris Park in good numbers.

Common Flameback – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Evolution/Healing Garden) Two seen feeding on the trees in the Evolution Garden/Healing Garden. Only birds of the trip.

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Rainforest Area) 3 males seen very well on the east side of the Rainforest Area. The only birds of the trip.

Ruddy-breasted Crake – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Rainforest Area) One seen in the Rainforest Area on the east side. Elusive and walking through trees. Dull brown and red colour with white and black dull stripes on back end only. Only bird of the trip.

Laced Woodpecker – 28^th July - Singapore Botanic Gardens (Rainforest Area) Seen feeding on the ground near the Rainforest boardwalk. Another 3 birds seen well feeding at Pasir Ris Park.

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

Day 2 – Pasir Ris Park – 27^th August 2017

Ashy Tailorbird - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Car Park C) A handful seen throughout. First seen near Car Park C and the Native Lawn.

House Crow - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Tribal Council) A small handful seen. First seen in the trees near the Tribal Council.

Asian Koel - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Viewing Plaza) One seen. Perched in the trees near the viewing plaza. Only bird of the trip.

Collared Kingfisher - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Sungei Api Api River) Three seen. First seen from bridge crossing the Sungei Api Api, then Two seen in the trees near the viewing plaza.

Pied Triller - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Sungei Api Api) One seen in the trees near the path along the Sungei Api Api. The only bird of the trip. Male.

Malaysian Pied Fantail - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Sungei Api Api) Two seen in the trees near the path at Sungei Api Api.

Oriental Pied Hornbill - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Sungei Api Api) One seen well in the trees opposite Sungei Api Api. Calling. The only bird of the trip.

Rufous Woodpecker - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Native Lawn) One seen in the trees near the Native Lawn. Only bird of the trip.

Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker - 26 Aug 2017 - Pasir Ris Park (Native Lawn) One seen feeding in the trees near the Native Lawn – nest nearby. Only bird of the trip.

Oriental Pied Hornbill

Additional Species:

Brahminy Kite
Little Bronze Cuckoo
Striated Heron
Common Myna
Grey Heron
Tree Sparrow
Feral Pigeon


45 Trip Total
38 Trip Lifers

Reptile List

Malayan Water Monitor - Singapore Botanic Gardens
Red-eared Terrapin - Singapore Botanic Gardens

Malayan Water Monitor

Butterfly List

Plain Plushblue - Singapore Botanic Gardens

Plain Plushblue

Singapore Birding Trip Report - Day 2 (Saturday 26th August 2017) - Pasir Ris Park

Our four week trip concluded with a second stopover in Singapore, this time with a slightly less accommodating time scale as our flight in from Cairns didn’t arrive at Changi airport until half 3pm local time, with our flight back to Manchester 11 hours later at just after 2am in the morning. This never the less provided a few hours for birding before dusk, and as soon as having changed in the airport (once again getting fully deeted up) we got a taxi out to the nearby biding spot of Pasir Ris Park. Identified on e-bird for its variety of species different to those we had seen previously at Singapore Botanic Gardens, our main target here was the impressive Oriental Pied Hornbill, as well as any other species we could find in our couple of hours at the park before dusk fell.

Pasir Ris Park

Getting dropped off at Car Park C, we were immediately met by new birds as several Ashy Tailorbirds foraged in the thick fleshy leaves by the entrance to the park, their bright orange faces distinguishing them from the Common Tailorbirds we had seen in the botanic gardens a month earlier. 

Ashy Tailorbird

Common Ioras and Plain-throated Sunbirds were much more numerous here than at the botanic gardens as well, while a small family party of Laced Woodpeckers feeding by the side of the boardwalk gave us a second opportunity for photography.

Plain-throated Sunbird

Laced Woodpecker

Walking further in to the park but surprisingly seeing very few birds, a female Pink-necked Green Pigeon perched high up in a tree saw us scratching our heads for an ID temporarily, before our next new bird materialised in the form of a House Crow calling loudly in a stand of trees near the Tribal Council. 

Female Pink-necked Green Pigeon

House Crow

Asian Koel was next to hit our lists, our only bird of the trip after being far too early for any Pacific Koels in Australia, while an Oriental Magpie Robin briefly gave us the run-around in the branches of a nearby bush. 

Asian Koel

Oriental Magpie Robin

Heading over to the Sungei Api Api river and the bridge crossing over it to search for Kingfishers resulted in partial success in the form of a Collared Kingfisher (now split from the Torresian Kingfisher we had seen in Cairns) but there was sadly no sign of our hoped for White-throated or Stork-billed Kingfishers along the muddy banks, just a solitary Striated Heron stalking fish amongst the twisting tree roots. 

Striated Heron

With the afternoon pressing on we followed a track down the side of the river, a handful of both new and repeat birds presenting themselves in quick succession. The bright flash of yellow of a handsome male Black-naped Oriole grabbed our attention, swiftly followed by a Little Bronze Cuckoo perching obligingly at eye-level for a split second before darting off, the fiery scarlet diagnostic eye ring clearly visible when checking my camera back to determine what species we’d just seen.

Black-naped Oriole

Little Bronze Cuckoo

Germain's Swiflets were also a common sight overhead

In a stroke of luck, on further investigation an unusual noise on the opposite side of the river turned out to be our much sought after Oriental Pied Hornbill, calling loudly and giving great views perched at the top of the trees. A species high up on both of our wish lists, it was a relief to connect, particularly as many of our other hoped for birds in Pasir Ris had failed to put in an appearance. 

Oriental Pied Hornbill

Once native to Singapore, Oriental Pied Hornbills sadly became extinct as a breeding species in the country many years ago, but have since made a remarkable comeback thanks to a concerted breeding and conservation programme. 

Heading further down the river, two Malaysian Pied Fantails flitted around the lower branches hanging in to the water, while the distinctive black and white of a male Pied Triller caught my eye above. 

Malaysian Pied Fantail hiding behind a leaf!

Pied Triller - also hiding behind a leaf!

Getting Alex on the bird before it disappeared, it soon transpired that he’d initially set eyes on a Sunda Woodpecker, which by the time he had thought to mention it had long since gone. Cue *SundaWoodpeckerGate* and a frantic search of the vicinity in an attempt to re-find it before the last of the light disappeared. 

Luckily, after a tense quarter of an hour of nothing, talking to a local birder revealed that a pair of Sunda Woodpeckers were nesting in some trees further down in the park near the Native Lawn. Hurrying over to where he had pointed (he also showed us the trees where the Spotted Owls usually roost – sadly they weren’t present on our visit) two more Collared Kingfishers allowed for the briefest of record shots before powering off back towards the river, while a movement above our heads on one of the trunks proved to be… not a Sunda but rather (surprisingly) the much larger and scarcer Rufous Woodpecker, oblivious to us as we stood below as it bored in to the bark.

Collared Kingfisher

Rufous Woodpecker

Thankfully (to both mine and Alex’s relief!) I didn’t leave Singapore empty handed on the Sunda Woodpecker front, as just as the light was fading a single bird materialised out of nowhere on the branches in front of us, scurrying up the bark and posing before vanishing off towards the river. 

Sunda Woodpecker

The perfect end to our birding journey in what had been an exceptional four weeks of travel. With the light now making it impossible to see properly and with bats starting to emerge around the street lights, we headed over to a snack kiosk to order a taxi, quenching our thirst while we waited with what turned out to be an absolutely vile grape juice concoction. 

Asian Glossy Starlings on the rooftops near the snack kiosk

It would have been rude (and a travesty almost) to visit Singapore without making a trip to the world famous Gardens by the Bay, and as night fell we stopped off to admire these amazing iconic trees in all their glory, lit up spectacularly against the backdrop of the city and timing our visit just right to coincide with the nightly musical performance. Absolutely breath-taking and an amazing finish to what had been an incredible four weeks. 

With a few hours left to kill before our flight back to Manchester we headed back to the airport happy, tucking in to a dish of tasty Singapore noodles in what turned out to be the only airport restaurant still open at 11pm before waiting until the early hours to board.

Despite just having a few short hours in the country, Singapore had proved to be a revelation, hosting fantastically clean open spaces and parks, great facilities and most importantly, incredible birds. From the impressive Racket-tailed Drongos of the rainforest boardwalks and the stately Oriental Pied Hornbills of the open parks to the dainty jewel like Crimson Sunbirds hovering in the flowers, Singapore had proved to be a fascinating first taste of Asia in what was a very time-limited airport stopover – the ideal introduction in to a whole new continent of birding full of fascinating culture, wildlife and experiences. 

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

Oriental Pied Hornbill

Crimson Sunbird

For birders looking to get a brief taste of Singapore on an extended airport layover, taxis at the arrivals exit and an in-airport storage facility for excess baggage make exploring this fascinating country as easy as possible.  Several of the country's laidback birding sites are within a quick 20 minute drive of Changi Airport and hold a large number of the commoner species. For those with a bit more time on their hands and previous experience of Singapore birds, guides are readily available for a few hours birding in some of the more remote locations. 

Singapore Birding Trip Report - Day 1 (Friday 28th July 2017) - Singapore Botanic Gardens

With our flight to Australia including an 18 hour layover in Singapore, we felt this was the perfect opportunity to dip our toes in to Asian birding and get a taste of some of the avian delights that Singapore has to offer. With just a short space of time before our connecting flights on both the outbound and return journey, we opted for locations that were relatively near to Changi Airport but still had a wide enough range of species and habitats to keep us occupied for the full time that we were there. This was our first time birding in Asia, so we found Singapore a perfect and gentle introduction to the myriad of colourful and unknown species that inhabit this vast continent.

The famous trees at Singapore's Gardens by the Bay

Singapore Botanic Gardens

With our Singapore Airlines flight arriving at 9am local time, after a gruelling 13 hour journey and no sleep we headed straight out of the refreshingly air conditioned arrivals lounge of Changi Airport and in to the hot, humid outside world of Asia, deeted up to the max in an effort to combat any unwelcome mosquito bites.

Changi Airport

Enjoying a cool air conditioned taxi ride over to our location for the day, a silhouetted woodpecker tapping vertically on a trunk remained unidentified as we sped by, our taxi driver giving a running commentary on Singapore sights and monuments as we went. For our first day in Singapore we had opted to explore Singapore Botanic Gardens, just a 20 minute drive from the airport to the centre of this small but fascinating country and a location packed full of the commoner species Singapore has to offer.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Jumping out of the taxi we experienced the familiar rush of excitement that birding in a new country for the first time generates, everything new and creating that “kid in a candy store” feeling. Starting off at the Tanglin Gates entrance, an Olive-backed Sunbird buzzing around the trees was our first new bird of the trip, one of a handful of males we saw feeding in the gardens. Making up for its lack of size by packing a punch with its bright and bold colouration, these tiny jewels proved to be extremely abundant during our trip to Australia, and despite not managing any decent photographs in Singapore, we more than made up for it in Queensland. 

Female sunbirds were more tricky to ID - presumable Plain-throated Sunbird and Olive-backed Sunbird

A solitary White-breasted Waterhen gingerly wading through the small creek to the side of the gate was next to hit our lists, while our first Javan Mynas chattered noisily on the grass next to us. Native to Java and Bali but introduced in Singapore (where they are now extremely common across the whole country) we watched on as they jostled for the scraps left behind by the morning’s picnickers.

Javan Myna

Realising just how hot and humid Singapore was proving to be and regretting our lack of juices and water, we headed off towards the Marsh Garden area, a pair of Common Tailorbirds foraging low down in the shrubs our next new species, swiftly followed by the ruby red flair of a pair of Crimson Sunbirds feeding in the flower beds next to the footpath. Stopping to admire what turned out to be one of my favourite species in Singapore, these dainty nectar feeders were reminiscent of hummingbirds and we were able to get outstanding views as they fed at eye level.

Crimson Sunbird

Common Tailorbird

Arriving at Swan Lake we were finally able to get a good look at the flocks of Germain’s Swiftlets flying overhead, before the bright white rump of a single House Swift caught my eye as it powered forwards over the water. Clinching a few photos, the squared off tail and short, blunter wings ruled out Pacific Swift, and in what was a stroke of luck and good timing this proved to be our only bird of the trip.

House Swift!

Swan Lake - Singapore Botanic Gardens

Exploring Swan Lake further in the hopes of encountering any Kingfishers perched around the edges (sadly these eluded us) a Grey-headed Fish Eagle was a great spot perched in the tops of one of the trees, swaying in the breeze before eventually taking flight. 

Grey-headed Fish Eagle

Not expecting to see one during our brief visit, our luck continued as a large grey swift sp. powering overhead caught our eye. Sharp reflexes and a bit of luck enabled us to get some record shots which enabled us to nail the ID as a Grey-rumped Treeswift – again our only bird of the trip.

Grey-rumped Treeswift

Swan Lake and the surrounding trees continued to prove fruitful for us in terms of new bird species, as a group of 3 male Pink-necked Green Pigeons feeding in the tops of the trees were next on our lists, swiftly followed by a solitary drab Olive-winged Bulbul foraging on the ground – again like many species during our stopover one of the only ones we connected with on the trip. 

Pink-necked Green Pigeon

Olive-winged Bulbul

Following the path through the trees and over to the south side of the lake, the new birds kept coming thick and fast. A bright and showy Oriental Magpie Robin performed at eye level on a branch in front of us, while the first of many Yellow-vented Bulbuls perched obligingly amongst the leaves. 

Oriental Magpie Robin

Yellow-vented Bulbul

A pair of Blue-throated Bee-eaters flycatching from the branches were also a welcome addition, and we caught up with at least two more of these charismatic birds later on in the afternoon near the Healing Gardens.

Blue-throated Bee-eater

Walking up towards the delightful Ginger Garden, Alex’s sharp eyes soon spotted what was one of my most wanted birds of the trip – White-bellied Sea Eagle. Soaring high overhead framed by clear blue skies, it was great to have the pressure off so early with this charismatic species and we watched on as it powered away over the trees in the distance.

White-bellied Sea Eagle

Ginger Garden!

Heading over towards the bustling Orchid Plaza and surrounding parkland our next target announced its presence in as rude a fashion as possible, splattering my clean-on cream trousers and binocular eyecups with masses of wet brown bird muck! Several disinfectant wipes and a large brown stain on my leg later, I was able to appreciate the chattering flocks of Asian Glossy Starlings overhead a little better, one of several small groups congregating in the gardens. A pair of Spotted Doves feeding on the grass in Palm Valley were our first of many for the trip (again abundant in Australia, though introduced there) and it was nice to appreciate them in their native range. 

Spotted Dove

Pacific Swallows danced over the grass and over the water at the nearby Symphony Lake, occasionally perching on exposed posts protruding from the surface, while a number of terrapins in the shallows sunbathed in the morning sun.

Pacific Swallow

Sunbathing Terrapin

Deciding to check out the rainforest boardwalk area resulted in our first Black-naped Oriole of the trip – a striking male in bold black and yellow plumage, while a pair of Red Junglefowl attempted to stay inconspicuous amongst the thick rainforest shrubbery. The wild form of our domesticated chickens, Red Junglefowls have pure grey legs instead of yellow and are at risk of dying out in many areas on the edge of their habitat due to hybridisation with domestic chickens.

Black-naped Oriole

Red Junglefowl

With the heat once again becoming a bit too unbearable we stopped off in the shelter overlooking Symphony Lake, a huge Malayan Water Monitor keeping us entertained as it sat basking in one of the shallow streams while a daring White-breasted Waterhen picked at morsels on the path ahead. 

Malayan Water Monitor

White-breasted Waterhen legging it!

Enjoying a refreshing sip of juice, the fast darting motion of two Scarlet-backed Flowerpeckers caught our eyes, flitting frantically from branch to branch as we struggled to keep up with the camera. Calling rapidly we soon became familiar with their high pitched chattering squeaks and we were able to locate several more during the day by following our ears. With a bold red racing stripe running down the length of their backs, these soon became a firm Singapore favourite.

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker

Unable to avoid the humid heat any longer, we trudged over to a stand of trees at the nearby Corner House, an elusive yellow blur at the top of the canopy eventually revealing itself to be a male Common Iora. Interestingly, this was the only bird we could find at Singapore Botanic Gardens, but our visit to Pasir Ris 4 weeks later on the return journey saw them being relatively abundant in the park grounds.

Common Iora

Plain Plushblue - one of a few butterflies we saw in the Botanic Gardens

Walking back up the hill and enjoying a showy flock of Red Junglefowl on one of the lawns while trying to pin down an elusive Tailorbird, we hit out next target in the form of a single Common Hill Myna perched high at the top of one of the neighbouring trees, an attractive glossy plumaged bird with its showy yellow moustache visible even at a distance. Far less common than the ubiquitous Javan Mynas congregating around every food stop, it was nice to connect with a native Myna species at last.

Red Junglefowl

Common Hill Myna

With the afternoon pressing on, after a quick rest at an outside café we continued, no sleep and the humid heat now really starting to take its toll. Exploring the Evolution and Healing Gardens, what was surprisingly our only Oriental White-eye of the trip revealed itself in a patch of small shrubs ahead, while a Brown-throated Sunbird perched at eye level eventually turned around and enabled us to see its cocoa stained throat. Like the Iora, this was another species of which we only saw one of in the Botanic Gardens, yet were abundant in Pasir Ris.

Brown-throated (also known as Plain-throated) Sunbird

A pair of Common Flamebacks feeding on the trunks in the garden were a welcome surprise, turning out to be our only birds of the trip and a species I had particularly been looking forward to seeing, while another pair of Blue-throated Bee-eaters entertained us as they enjoyed a late lunch.

Common Flameback

Blue-throated Bee-eaters

With Greater Racket-tailed Drongo still absent from our lists despite an earlier visit to the Rainforest Boardwalk, we headed back to the jungle thicket in an effort to locate this impressive species. With two long glossy plumes adorning the tail, this was one of the key species I wanted to see in Singapore, so it was a relief to track down 3 males on the eastern side of the boardwalk, flitting back and too on the overhanging branches and showing off their magnificent plumes.

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

A slight movement in the undergrowth that caught Alex’s eye proved to be a skulking Ruddy-breasted Crake creeping through the leaf litter, me thankfully catching sight of it as it worked its way around a log pile before melting back in to the understorey. Completely unexpected and a great species to notch up in just a few hours visit to Singapore, we were lucky to get enough visuals as it crept along in order to clinch the ID.

The jungle thicket!

With time now progressing and jetlag, hunger and thirst taking over, a single Laced Woodpecker feeding amongst the leaf litter was our final new species in what had been a hectic few hours. 

Laced Woodpecker

Notching up 29 new species in total during our stopover and exploring Asia for the first time, Singapore had been a (hot and sweaty) blast, the Botanic Gardens proving to be the perfect introduction to Asian birding. 

The foliage at the Botanic Gardens

Javan Myna - everywhere there were picnic scraps!

Enjoying one last look at the voracious Javan Mynas scurrying over the picnic benches, we made our way back up through the gardens (inevitably via the gift shop) ready for our taxi back to the airport, where our Changi Airport hotel room was waiting for us complete with a much needed shower and bed. After a 6 hour power nap and snack before our connecting flight out to Cairns, it was now full steam ahead where our month long adventure in Australia would begin!

Changi Airport