Take a walk around your housing estate, or simply take a look outside the window. Chances are, you will see birds soaring in the sky, flying from tree to tree, pecking at the ground or simply perched on branches, light posts and fences. These birds that you see are part of the 364 species of birds that call Singapore their home. Today, Mr. Grey Heron, Mrs. House Swift and Madam Humboldt Penguin will tell us more about their lives in Singapore.

Hello kids! I am Mr. Grey Heron. I am the largest bird in the whole of Singapore. I am tall for a bird. I stand at about one meter tall. Look! When I spread my wings out to their fullest, they measure about 175 to 195 centimeters! My wingspan is greater than your height, and may also be greater than your parents’ heights! But, not to worry, all of you are still growing. Maybe someday, you will be able to grow to a height equivalent to the length of my wingspan.

I am a fully grown adult male and I am largely covered with grey feathers at the top and off-white feathers on my lower body. I have a white head and a broad black supercilium which makes me look very smart and handsome indeed! My kids who are not yet fully grown have a dull grey head instead of a white one. I have a powerful bill that is pinkish-yellow in colour.

Should you wish to visit me, I live in the Sungei Buloh Nature Park. I can also be found on trees close to lakes, the seashore or other wetlands. Please remember to bring some fish or frogs for me when you visit as I love to eat them! Speaking of food, I am feeling a little hungry now. I shall let Mrs. House Swift talk to you about her life in Singapore.

Hi kids! I am Mrs. House Swift. Do you know why I am named House Swift? This is because I am the fastest bird in Singapore ! I can fly at speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour. Unlike Mr. Grey Heron, I have a really small body. I am only 15 centimeters in height. However, my small body and long wings make me one of the best and fastest fliers in the world.

It is a good thing that I am a good flier because I love to eat flying insects, especially flying ants and termites. Look at my eyes; they are covered with eyelash-like feathers. This is to protect my eyes in case of mid-air collisions with flying insects. Besides, there is a transparent membrane in my eyes to keep them clear when I blink. They look like the windshield wipers that you see on cars. Isn’t that cool?

I am not as colourful as some birds. I am mostly black in colour with a prominent white rump and throat. I am frequently compared with the swallows but I fly at higher altitudes than they do when searching for food.

It should not be too hard to find me in Singapore. Perhaps we might already have met. I have adapted well to humans like you, and you can find me living in high-rise buildings such as your HDB flats. I can also be found in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve or even in certain areas in Orchard Road. Do stop and say “Hello” to me the next time you see me at Orchard Road.

Alright kids, that leaves me, Madam Humboldt Penguin to tell you more about my life in Singapore. I am quite a rare bird as I am an endangered species. My friends and family who are in the wild are dying. This is largely because of a lack of food as fishing activities leave little fish for them where they live. Thankfully, I am living in Singapore, in the Jurong Bird Park, where I am given good food. However, I was not origina lly from Singapore. I lived in countries such as Peru and Chile. You should come and visit me at the Bird Park. You cannot miss me. I am the smart-looking bird with a black head and a white border running from behind my eyes to join at my throat. You should also bring along your camera and take many pictures of me as I look very cute and cuddly!