The olive-backed sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis) is one of Singapore’s resident birds. In 2002, it was one of five birds shortlisted by the Nature Society (Singapore) in an unofficial campaign to select Singapore’s national bird. The olive-backed sunbird is featured ...
The black-naped tern (Sterna sumatrana) is a slender white bird found in rocky islets near the Singapore coast. It was one of the bird species identified and named by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1822. Its species name, sumatrana, describes where Raffles collected the ...
The white-rumped shama (Copsychus malabaricus) is a slender, predominantly black bird that has become one of the most popular caged birds in Singapore because of its beautiful song. The white-rumped shama was featured on the S$50 Bird Series currency notes released ...
The white-collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) is one of eight documented species of kingfishers in Singapore. It is commonly spotted in mangrove and coastal areas, gardens and parks. This kingfisher species was featured on the Bird Series S$10 currency ...
The Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) is a medium-sized raptor or bird of prey. Nicknamed the “Singapore Bald Eagle”, it is one of the commonest raptors in Singapore, and is frequently seen in flight over urban areas and suitable sites such as Jurong Lake. Large ...
Punggol Zoo was Singapore’s first full-size public zoo and bird park, and the first to be known as the Singapore Zoo. It was established in 1928 by William Lawrence Soma Basapa (b. 1893–d. 1943) on Punggol Road to accommodate his growing private collection of animals ...
The white-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) is reputed to be Singapore’s largest common raptor or bird of prey, with a body length of 60 to 70 cm and a wing span of about 2 m. It is usually seen soaring above reservoirs and forested areas, or near sea ...
The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR) is Singapore’s first wetland nature reserve. It was officially opened on 6 December 1993 as the Sungei Buloh Nature Park, and gazetted as a nature reserve on 1 January 2002. Located at 301 Neo Tiew Crescent, the SBWR presently ...
The black-naped oriole (Oriolus chinensis) is a bird from the oriole family. It has yellow-and-black plumage and is found in many parts of Asia. It is one of the most common bird species in Singapore.
Parrot astrologers are fortune tellers who use green parakeets to aid them with their craft. Acting as a medium, the parrot will pick a “lucky card”, presumably based on the customer’s name and birth date. The astrologer then reads the customer’s future from this ...
BooksActually, founded in 2005, is one of Singapore’s most well-known independent bookstores. Currently located at Yong Siak Street in Tiong Bahru, the bookstore specialises in lesser-known literary fiction as well as local works. It has a publishing arm, Math ...
The blue-throated bee-eater (Merops viridis) is a bird with blue, green and brown plumage. It is one of two bee-eater species found in Singapore.
The bird’s-nest fern (Asplenium nidus) is a large, leafy fern commonly found on wayside trees in Singapore, particularly the rain tree. The fern, which grows at the base of large branches, has a unique ability to trap water and develop its own store of humus.
Pulau Busing is an offshore island south of Singapore, near Pulau Bukom. It had a land area of 2.5 ha before reclamation. Heavily industrialised, the island is home to oil and chemical storage facilities, at least one marine offshore terminal, and a fuel oil refinery. ...