Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
30 species in Singapore.
Accipitridae is a large, diverse family of diurnal birds of prey with strongly hooked bills, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. They range from tiny, sparrow-sized hunters to birds with wingspans over two metres, taking prey from insects to medium-sized mammals. Females are typically larger than males. Most species are dull sandy, brown, or grey above and paler below, keeping them inconspicuous from underneath.
This family is one of Singapore's largest. Start by considering the overall proportions and time of year. Tachyspiza hawks are the toughest to separate: check overall shape, the number of 'fingers' visible on the wingtips, tail length, mesial throat stripe. Harriers (Circus) are also very difficult – it is not possible to summarize their identification features in a single sentence here! There are many other difficult species groups, so standing at one of Singapore's main raptor watch points – Henderson Waves or Mount Faber Park – on a weekend in mid-October to mid-November presents a good introduction to identifying our migrant raptors, weather permitting. We have several useful identification guides looking at these species – linked on this page.
Since Singapore is so small, every species could be seen overhead in almost any part of Singapore, particularly the migrant species which pass through the island during the autumn months. Brahminy Kite, White-bellied Sea Eagle, and Grey-headed Fish Eagle primarily hunt near coasts, mangroves, and inland waterbodies. Black-winged Kite, the Circus harriers, Greater Spotted Eagle, Common Kestrel, and Black Kite are associated with large open grasslands where they hunt. While all the migrant species have certain habitat preferences, they can all be seen migrating through the main watch points. These are usually the best sites to observe the scarcer species which rarely winter in Singapore.
Most species hunt from an exposed or concealed perch, or by soaring on thermals before stooping onto prey; sea eagles and kites snatch fish from the surface without submerging. Migrants often travel in loose streams or tight flocks.