Birds are a fascinating and integral part of the vibrant ecosystem that exists in Singapore’s Pulau Ubin island. Being home to diverse habitats like mangroves, forests, and wetlands, the island provides a thriving environment for rich birdlife.
With around 35% of Singapore’s bird species found here, Pulau Ubin attracts nature enthusiasts and bird watchers from near and far.
Some of the rarest and most spectacular bird species on the island include the Straw-headed Bulbul, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Oriental Pied Hornbill, and White-bellied Sea-Eagle.
This makes the island a paradise for bird lovers, who can enjoy the breathtaking sights and sounds of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
1. Oriental Pied Hornbill
The Oriental Pied Hornbill is a species of Indo-Malayan bird belonging to the Bucerotidae family.
It’s one of the smallest and most common Asian hornbills, with its largest distribution found in the genus Anthracoceros.
This medium sized bird has black feathers all over its body, except for white wings and a white tail that make it stand out from other birds.
Its bill is yellow on top and red underneath, while their feet are greyish black.
These colorful characteristics help them blend into various habitats such as tropical forests or woodlands.
The diet consists mainly of fruits but they also feed on insects and small vertebrates like lizards or nesting birds’ eggs when available during certain seasons throughout their range habitat areas.
Monogamous pairs of birds construct their nests together using dead branches to create a secure chamber where the female can lay her eggs.
They carefully tend to the eggs until they hatch, and then rejoin their partner at nightfall.
These nests are often located near sources of food, in the beautiful and picturesque surroundings of trees and landscapes. These locations provide stunning views and make for attractive tourist destinations.
The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, with spectacular vistas and awe-inspiring panoramas that are sure to captivate and charm visitors.
The overall atmosphere of these locations is heavenly and paradisiacal, making them a delight to behold.
The incredible beauty and grace of these places are simply remarkable, and visitors are sure to be impressed by their elegance and distinguished grandeur.
It is an experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who is lucky enough to visit.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Bucerotiformes |
| Family | Bucerotidae |
| Genus | Anthracoceros |
| Species | A. albirostris |
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2. Ruby-Cheeked Sunbird
The Ruby-cheeked sunbird bird belongs to the Nectariniidae family and is native to numerous Asian countries.
It can be found in diverse habitats ranging from lowland forest to montane forest, including mangrove forests.
This tiny bird, with its vibrant plumage, has a ruby-red patch on its cheek. It is known for its ability to hover whilst feeding on nectar from flowers, aided by its long, curved bill.
Their diet mainly comprises nectar and small insects, and both sexes are involved in building their dome-shaped nests, made of woven plant material.
The Ruby-cheeked sunbird is a well-known songbird and its high-pitched chirps are a common sound in its natural habitats.
These birds play an essential role in pollination and are essential for the survival of numerous plant species.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Nectariniidae |
| Genus | Chalcoparia Cabanis, 1850 |
| Species | C. singalensis |
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3. Lesser Green Leafbird
The Lesser green leafbird is a bird species belonging to the Chloropseidae family. This bird can be found in various countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, and Brunei.
Its natural habitat includes subtropical or tropical forests with moist lowland areas. Unfortunately, the Lesser green leafbird is now facing a significant threat due to the loss of its habitat.
This bird species’ striking green color makes it distinct from other birds. The Lesser green leafbird is a small bird and feeds on insects and fruits. Within its range, this bird is considered to be vulnerable due to the loss of forest habitat.
Therefore, conservation efforts should be implemented to protect this beautiful bird species from further decline.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Chloropseidae |
| Genus | Chloropsis |
| Species | C. cyanopogon |
4. Black-Winged Flycatcher-Shrike
The Black-winged flycatcher-shrike is a bird species in the Hemipus genus, typically grouped with the Vangidae family.
Found in lowland forests and occasionally swamps or mangroves, this bird lives in the Malay Peninsula and Greater Sunda Islands.
Its sleek black wings make it easy to spot, while its small size allows it to maneuver through the trees with agility.
Despite its distinctive appearance, it is considered one of the least concerned species of bird according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Vangidae |
| Genus | Hemipus |
| Species | H. hirundinaceus |
5. Large Woodshrike
The Large woodshrike (Tephrodornis virgatus) can be found in south-eastern Asia, including Sumatra, Java, and Borneo.
This bird usually inhabits temperate forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
It belongs to the family Vangidae, and the Malabar woodshrike is sometimes considered to be the same species.
This bird is distinguishable by its large size, and it has a unique appearance with a black and white striped head and a rusty orange belly.
The Large woodshrike is known for its distinctive, loud, and melodious whistling calls that often last for several minutes.
This bird is also known for its cooperative breeding behavior, where multiple birds collectively help to care for and raise young chicks.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Vangidae |
| Genus | Tephrodornis |
| Species | T. virgatus |
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6. Scarlet-Breasted Flowerpecker
The Scarlet-breasted flowerpecker is a brightly colored bird belonging to the Dicaeidae family. This species can be found in various Southeast Asian countries including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
The bird’s natural habitats are characterized as subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and swamps. Sadly, this bird is threatened by habitat loss which poses a significant threat to its survival.
The Scarlet-breasted flowerpecker is admired for its stunning red breast which stands out amongst its green surroundings.
Though it is a small bird, it is known to be quite active and agile which makes it quite a sight to behold.
As with many other bird species in the region, conservation efforts are necessary to safeguard the Scarlet-breasted flowerpecker’s existence.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Dicaeidae |
| Genus | Prionochilus |
| Species | P. thoracicus |
7. Black-And-White Bulbul
The Black-and-white bulbul bird belongs to the Pycnonotidae family of songbirds. It is commonly found in the forests of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo.
This bird prefers to live in the subtropical or tropical moist lowland and mountainous forests of these regions. The Black-and-white bulbul has a striking black and white plumage, hence the name.
Sadly, its habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanization is a major threat to this species.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Pycnonotidae |
| Genus | Microtarsus Eyton, 1839 |
| Species | M. melanoleucos |