Aim: To appreciate and learn about the diversity of birds that can be found in your backyard and to recognise that a significant amount of biodiversity can be found in urban landscapes.
Procedure: 1. Set aside about half an hour for this activity, either early in the morning (7.30–9.30 am) or late in the afternoon (4.00–6.00 pm), when birds are more active. 2. Find a spot around the house with a view of some greenery. Alternatively, you may prefer to venture outside and conduct this activity in a nearby park or garden. 3. When you are ready to start the activity, stay at the same spot quietly for 10–15 minutes and keep a look out for any birds. A pair of binoculars may come in handy to spot birds that are further away. 4. Use the space below to take notes during your birding session. Write down all of the different species that you see and keep a tally of how many of each kind that you spot. To help you identify the species, pictures of some of the more common birds are included in this activity sheet. If you spot any birds that are not shown, record its key features (approximate size, colours, overall shape, unique behaviour) and attempt to identify it on the Internet using these descriptive characteristics to guide your search. Once your investigations are complete, record your findings on the poster. 5. On the poster, summarise your findings by writing down the most common species that you encountered and how many different species you observed. Both the number of different species found in a habitat, as well as the number of individuals of each species, can help to tell the story of an area’s biodiversity. As a family, discuss your findings and reflect on the role of urban greenery in supporting biodiversity.
Notes: Bird Species Number Observed Remarks
COMMUNITY IN NATURE My Family’s Nature Pledge Activity Sheet 01 Common Urban Birds of Singapore Sizes are approximate and measured from beak to tail.
House Crow Zebra Dove/ Corvus splendens Peaceful Dove Size: 43 cm Geopelia striata Photo credit: Ron Yeo Size: 20 cm
Photo credit: Cai Yixiong
Male Male
Pink-necked Asian Koel Green Pigeon Eudynamys scolopaceus Treron vernans Size: 42 cm Size: 25 cm Photo credit: Sheau Torng Lim Photo credit: Sheau Torng Lim
Female Female
Male Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Size: 30 cm Photo credit: Sheau Torng Lim Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum Size: 8–9 cm Photo credit: Sheau Torng Lim
Rock Pigeon Columba livia Female Size: 30 cm
COMMUNITY IN NATURE My Family’s Nature Pledge Activity Sheet 02 Common Urban Birds of Singapore Sizes are approximate and measured from beak to tail.
Sunda Pygmy Black-naped Oriole Woodpecker Oriolus chinensis Picoides moluccensis Size: 25 cm Size: 12 cm Photo credit: Cai Yixiong Photo credit: Cai Yixiong
Male Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier Size: 20 cm Photo credit: Sheau Torng Lim Common Flameback Dinopium javanense Size: 28–30 cm Photo credit: Sheau Torng Lim
Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis Female Size: 20 cm Photo credit: Cai Yixiong
Male Javan Myna Acridotheres javanicus Size: 25 cm Photo credit: Cai Yixiong Olive-backed Sunbird Nectarinia jugularis Size: 10 cm Photo credit: Cai Yixiong
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis Size: 25 cm Female Photo credit: Cheryl Chia
COMMUNITY IN NATURE My Family’s Nature Pledge Activity Sheet 03 Common Urban Birds of Singapore Sizes are approximate and measured from beak to tail.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Collared Kingfisher Passer montanus Todiramphus chloris Size: 12.5–14 cm Size: 25 cm Photo credit: Sheau Torng Lim Photo credit: Cai Yixiong
White-throated Kingfisher Oriental White-eye Halcyon smyrnensis Zosterops palpebrosa Size: 28 cm Size: 11 cm Photo credit: Cai Yixiong Photo credit: Sheau Torng Lim
COMMUNITY IN NATURE My Family’s Nature Pledge Activity Sheet 04