sign in sign up
<<
Home , Alexandrine parakeet, Chinese blackbird, Eclectus, Eclectus parrot, Lesser green leafbird, Red avadavat

Wildlife Trade

Over 1,000 Red-whiskered Bulbuls were observed in one shop.

Songsters of Our damaging obsession with caged

Would you be surprised to ver four days in November and December 2015, birds were found in 28 of the 39 Singapore pet shops visited learn that at any given time, by TRAFFIC researchers. These shops, licensed to sell more than 14,000 birds are on birds, were visited once each. Researchers recorded all birds openly displayed for sale in each shop, except for sale in 28 pet shops scattered Odomestically-bred, non-wild species and individuals such as across our tiny island city? (Melopsittacus undulatus), Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) and Canaries (Crithagra spp. and Serinus spp.). TRAFFIC’s Serene Chng The results were detailed in the report, Songsters of Singapore: An details the overview of the species in Singapore pet shops. A total of 14,085 birds monitoring network’s recent from 109 species were recorded. The Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpe- brosus) made up a whopping 46% of birds recorded. rapid assessment of the open Fourteen thousand birds is no trifling number. To give a sense of sale of birds in Singapore, scale: over 16,000 birds were recorded by the same researchers in Jakarta’s (and arguably ’s) largest bird market Pramuka. The massive wild the clues it uncovered about caged bird trade in Indonesia is now flagged internationally as a conser- the nature of this industry, vation matter of concern. Meanwhile, approximately 8,000 birds have been recorded in 52 pet shops across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and the harm to ’s largest cities. conservation in the region. This study and earlier comprehensive bird shop studies indicate that numbers in Singapore have remained high for more than 20 years, Photos by James A. Eaton though the diversity of species appears to have decreased. A 2005-2006 study (Lee, 2006) recorded 13,968 individuals of 134 species from 38

Oct – Dec 2017 Nature Watch 11 pet shops, while an earlier study from listed in the CITES Appendices, where were detailed in Conservation Strategy 1992-1993 recorded at least 128,000 international trade is regulated and per- for Southeast Asian in Trade, birds of 247 non-CITES species over mits are required to import the birds. which addressed the wider conservation 252 shop visits – an average of 414 Unfortunately, we were unable to deter- challenge the massive regional caged individuals per shop, or 17,802 at 43 mine the legality of these birds as details bird trade poses to wild populations. shops, at any one time. (Nash, 1993). on what the pet stores were licensed Almost 70% of the birds (from seven Of interest, 80% of individu- to sell, CITES permits and quarantine species) from TRAFFIC’s 2015 study als recorded in the current study were regulation checks, were unavailable from feature on that list. not native to Singapore. This raises the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of The Straw-headed Bulbul question: where did they come from? Singapore (AVA). (Pycnonotus zeylanicus) is a case in Singapore, a global avicultural trading How much of this trade is a point. An earlier review of the trade of hub, has been importing and exporting potential conservation concern for this species in Singapore (Chng et al., birds to and from more than 30 coun- wild birds? The impact of Singapore’s 2016) referenced accounts of tries in the last decade. bird trade extends beyond the coun- reported by local birders. It also record- About a third of the non-native try. Twenty-eight priority bird spe- ed small numbers for sale in pet shops species recorded in this study come cies threatened by trade were identi- as well as online. Straw-headed Bulbuls from the Indian subcontinent and else- fied for the Greater Sunda region at traded in Singapore could be individuals where in Southeast , while another the 1st Asian Songbird Trade Crisis that were legally imported before 2000 third originate from Latin America. Just Summit held in September 2015. and therefore at least 16 years old. But under half of the species recorded are Recommendations from this summit it is more likely that the young birds

Montane White-eye (Zosterops poliogastrus), native to East Africa.

offered for sale were obtained though illegal means: poached and smuggled Mortality rates for smuggled birds are high. in from neighbouring countries, or poached from Singaporean wild popula- In October 2015, for instance, a Singapore tions. Singapore is the last stronghold for the Strawheaded Bulbul. For a species man was sentenced to nine weeks jail for recently recognised as endangered on the IUCN Red List, and already extinct in smuggling six Chinese Hwameis and three many parts of its range due to trapping, every individual taken from the wild for White-rumped Shamas into Singapore. All the pet trade is one too many. Furthermore, individuals of the birds, smuggled in PVC pipes, perished. (sub) species restricted to Borneo were recorded in this survey. These were a Singapore man was sentenced to 75% of shops selling birds breached Pet the Whitecrowned Shama (Kittacincla nine weeks jail under the Endangered Shop License Conditions by display- stricklandii; sometimes considered as Species (Import and Export) Act and ing sick or diseased birds, or failing to a subspecies of Kittacincla malabarica) the and Birds Act for smug- provide clean drinking water or basic and Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus gling six Chinese Hwameis (Garrulax housing (ACRES, 2016). saularis) of the adamsi race. Both are canorus) and three White-rumped Even as the report uncovers clues priority species heavily trapped in the Shamas (Copsychus malabaricus) into about the trade in live birds, questions region for the caged bird trade. Their Singapore. All the birds, smuggled in arise over what sustains the demand for presence in Singapore pet shops shows PVC pipes, perished. such a large number for sale. Just who that birds are sourced from neighbour- In many pet shops and markets is buying all these birds and how often ing countries. where wildlife is sold, animals are kept do they buy them? The Oriental Magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis) of the adamsi race is restricted to Sabah, Borneo. Its presence in Singapore pet Mortality rates for smuggled birds in poor conditions. An investigative Bird singing competitions are shops is evidence that the bird trade on the island affects populations from other countries in the region. are high. In October 2015, for instance, report in Singapore last year found that perhaps one of the biggest drivers

12 Nature Watch Oct – Dec 2017 Oct – Dec 2017 Nature Watch 13 Even as the report uncovers clues about the trade in live birds, questions arise over what sustains the demand for such a large number for sale. Just who is buying all these birds and how often do they buy them?

Turquoise-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva), native to South America.

Singapore bird shop.

behind the massive bird keeping culture in Southeast Asia. In Singapore, bird keeping started becoming popular after World War II. Songbird contests started in 1964. Regular contests held by local bird singing clubs, some accommodat- ing more than 1,000 cages, continue to be an important draw for bird keepers. The practice of merit release appears to have declined in recent years thanks to the combined efforts of local agencies and volunteers through Operation No Release, an initiative that began in the mid 2000s. Yet, small pas- serines that are commonly used in merit release, particularly Passeridae seed-eaters were documented in this study, suggest- ing that the practice continues. Still, the damage has been done. Invasive species from escaped or released birds also pose a conservation concern to native wild bird populations as they compete for resources such as nest sites and food. African finches have been recorded in increasing numbers across the past decade. Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) have been Grey (Psittacus erithacus) for sale in Singapore. established for many decades, and are A Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata) song contest arena in Ang Mo Kio.

14 Nature Watch Oct – Dec 2017 Oct – Dec 2017 Nature Watch 15 Total Species and Individuals Offered for Sale in Singapore's Pet Stores

Common Name Scientific name IUCN CITES Number of Common Name Scientific name IUCN CITES Number of Status Appendix Individuals Status Appendix Individuals even considered as pests in Singapore, in Trade in Trade while in their native Java, trapping has Oriental White-eye ● Zosterops palpebrosus LC NC 6,473 Bluethroat Luscinia svecica LC NC 3 led to a severe decline in their numbers. Red-whiskered Bulbul ● Pycnonotus jocosus LC NC 2,811 Crested Lark Galerida cristata LC NC 3 Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus Zebra Dove Geopelia striata LC NC 1,227 Gold-fronted Chloropsis aurifrons LC NC 3 Red Avadavat amandava LC NC 1,030 Lady Amherst's Pheasant Chrysolophus amherstiae LC NC 3 jocosus) calls are heard not just from Scaly-breasted Munia punctulata LC NC 699 Lilac-crowned Amazon Amazona finschi EN II 3 cages hanging from HDB flats, but White-headed Munia Lonchura maja LC NC 494 Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata LC NC 3 also from a resident population derived Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata LC NC 220 Siberian Rubythroat Calliope calliope LC NC 3 from escapees in nearby parks and White-rumped Shama ● Kittacincla malabarica LC NC 155 Spot-throated Babbler Pellorneum albiventre LC NC 3 gardens. This author even observed an Monk Myiopsitta monachus LC II 96 Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus LC NC 2 active Sooty-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus Rose-ringed Parakeet krameri LC III 89 Blue Rock Monticola solitarius LC NC 2 aurigaster) nest at Sengkang several Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis tigrina LC NC 72 Bronze-winged Parrot Pionus chalcopterus LC NC 2 Magpie Mannikin Lonchura fringilloides LC NC 60 Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius LC II 2 years ago; the birds are indeed on the Montane White-eye Zosterops poliogastrus LC NC 44 Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus LC NC 2 Singapore Checklist as introduced Black-headed Munia Lonchura atricapilla LC NC 40 Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis NT NC 2 resident breeders. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus LC NC 40 Lesser Green Leafbird Chloropsis cyanopogon LC NC 2 The bird trade documented in Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura LC NC 39 Marigold Lorikeet Trichoglossus capistratus capistratus LC II 2 Singapore is part of a wider conserva- Java Sparrow Lonchura oryzivora VU II 34 Red-bellied Macaw Orthopsittaca manilatus LC II 2 tion challenge facing the region. In the Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier LC NC 26 Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri NT II 2 last three years, TRAFFIC has recorded Oriental Magpie Robin ● Copsychus saularis LC NC 24 Red-fan Parrot Deroptyus accipitrinus LC II 2 almost 76,000 birds for sale in seven Black-headed Parrot Pionites melanocephalus LC II 21 Red-shouldered Macaw Diopsittaca nobilis LC II 2 Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus LC II 21 Reeves's Pheasant Syrmaticus reevesii VU NC 2 one-off inventory studies documenting Chinese Hwamei Garrulax canorus LC II 21 Southern Mealy Amazon Amazona farinosa NT II 2 trade in 13 cities in Indonesia, , Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus LC NC 21 White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus diardi LC NC 2 Singapore and Vietnam. Singapore, a Green-cheeked Parakeet Pyrrhura molinae LC II 19 Yellow-crested Cockatoo Cacatua sulphurea CR II 2 country trading in a significant volume Blue-rumped Parrot cyanurus NT II 17 Psittacula eupatria NT II 1 of birds sourced from Southeast Asia Sun Parakeet Aratinga solstitialis EN NC 16 Asian Pied Starling ● Gracupica contra jalla LC NC 1 and beyond, plays a key role in this Yellow-shouldered Amazon Amazona barbadensis VU I 16 Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria LC NC 1 trade as a consumer country. Yellow-throated Greenbul Chlorocichla flavicollis LC NC 16 Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis LC NC 1 Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus VU II 15 Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus LC NC 1 Blue-and-yellow Macaw Ara ararauna LC II 11 Blue-eyed Cockatoo Cacatua ophthalmica VU II 1 References Parrot Eclectus roratus roratus LC II 10 Blue-masked Leafbird Chloropsis venusta NT NC 1 Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot Loriculus galgulus LC II 7 Blue-naped Parrot lucionensis NT II 1 Concerns Research and Education ● Chloropsis sonnerati LC NC 7 Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus LC NC 1 Society (ACRES) (2016). An investigation into pet shop conditions for birds in Singapore. ACRES, Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula LC NC 7 Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja LC NC 1 Singapore. Red-and-green Macaw Ara chloropterus LC II 7 Dusky Parrot Pionus fuscus LC II 1 Chinese Hwamei, native to East Asia. White-crowned Shama ● Kittacincla stricklandii stricklandii LC NC 7 Festive Amazon Amazona festiva bodini NT II 1 Chng, S.C.L., Lee, J.G.H. and Shepherd, C.R. (2016). The , legal protec- Yellow-crowned Amazon Amazona ochrocephala LC II 7 Finsch's Parakeet Psittacara finschi LC II 1 tion and assessment of the trade in Straw-headed Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis LC NC 6 Javan White-eye Zosterops flavus NT NC 1 What can be done to What can you, a Bulbuls in Singapore. TRAFFIC Bulletin Coconut Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus LC II 6 Lord Derby's Parakeet Psittacula derbiana NT II 1 haematodus improve the situation? concerned lover of birds 28(2):48-52. Major Mitchell's Cockatoo Cacatua leadbeateri LC II 1 Javan Munia Lonchura leucogastroides LC NC 6 We recommend that Agri-Food & in the wild, do? Eaton, J.A., Leupen, B.T.C. and Krishnasamy, Mongolian Lark Melanocorypha mongolica LC NC 1 Orange-headed Thrush ● Geokichla citrina LC NC 6 Veterinary Authority of Singapore Be our eyes and ears! If you see K. (2017). Songsters of Singapore: An overview of Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii LC NC 1 the bird species in Singapore pet shops Chestnut-fronted Macaw Ara severus LC II 5 (AVA) conducts frequent checks at anyone trapping birds or selling native . TRAFFIC, Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus LC I 1 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, . Galah Eolophus roseicapilla LC II 5 all pet shops to ensure all the correct protected species in pet shops or Red-crested Turaco Tauraco erythrolophus LC II 1 Long-tailed Paradise-whydah Vidua paradisaea LC NC 5 permits are in order not just in terms online, please make a report through: Lee, S.H.J. (2006). Wildlife trade in Singapore: Rosy Starling Pastor roseus LC NC 1 Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea LC II 5 of bird welfare in the shop but also A review on the pet bird trade (honours thesis). Salmon-crested Cockatoo Cacatua moluccensis VU I 1 • AVA, 63257625 National University of Singapore, Singapore. White-bellied Parrot Pionites xanthomerius LC II 5 in terms of sources of the birds and Siberian Blue Robin Larvivora cyane LC NC 1 Common Hill Myna ● Gracula religiosa LC NC 4 CITES regulations. AVA could also • ACRES’ 24-hour Animal Crime Nash, S.V. (1993). Sold for a song: The trade in Siberian Thrush Geokichla sibirica LC NC 1 require pet shops selling birds to Southeast Asian non-CITES birds. TRAFFIC Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos LC NC 4 Investigation Unit hotline, 97837782 Straw-headed Bulbul ● Pycnonotus zeylanicus VU NC 1 display informational posters about International, Cambridge, UK. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita LC II 4 • Smartphone app Wildlife Sumatran Leafbird Chloropsis media LC NC 1 CITES regulation. Turquoise-fronted Amazon Amazona aestiva LC II 4 Witness, by TRAFFIC and Taronga Thick-billed Heleia Heleia crassirostris LC NC 1 We also call on shop owners to Yellow-naped Amazon Amazona auropalliata VU I 4 Conservation Society ; White-capped Parrot Pionus seniloides LC II 1 provide information on each bird’s Serene Chng works with TRAFFIC in Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata castanotis LC NC 4 download for free for iPhone and White-crowned Parrot Pionus senilis LC II 1 protection or CITES status and sources Southeast Asia as its Programme Officer Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata LC NC 3 Android (www.wildlifewitness.net). Yellow-faced Amazon Alipiopsitta xanthops NT II 1 of these birds, so that consumers can focusing on the wildlife pet trade in Black-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax chinensis LC NC 3 Zappey's Flycatcher Cyanoptila cumatilis LC NC 1 make informed, conscious decisions birds and reptiles. She formerly worked about buying sustainably-sourced pets. KEY at National Parks Board’s National ● Priority species identified in the Conservation Strategy for Southeast Asian Songbirds in Trade Biodiversity Centre on urban biodiversity, IUCN: LC – Least Concern CD – Conservation Dependent NT – Near Threatened VU – Vulnerable EN – Endangered CR – Critically Endangered The full report, Songsters of Singapore: An overview of the bird species and has volunteered with NSS on field CITES: NC – Not listed in any CITES Appendix in Singapore pet shops, is available at: surveys and guided walks. I – Listed in Appendix I, no international commercial trade permitted www.traffic.org/storage/Songsters-of-Singapore.pdf II and III – Listed in Appendix II and III, export permits needed for international trade

16 Nature Watch Oct – Dec 2017 Oct – Dec 2017 Nature Watch 17