Oriental Dollarbird

Oriental Dollarbird

Scientific Name: Eurystomus orientalis

Malay Name: Tiung-Batu Biasa

Chinese Name: 三宝鸟

Range: Breeds from southern Russia southwards through Japan, China, Southeast Asia, the Indonesian archipelago to the north and east of Australia and the Solomon Islands in the east.

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: cyanocollis, orientalis, laetior, gigas, irisi, oberholseri, pacificus, waigiouensis, crassirostris, solomonensis.

Local Subspecies: orientalis

Size: 27.5-31.5 cm

Identification: Distinct silhouette with a stout body and chunky head with red bill. Greyish to blackish plumage, glossed blue. In flight, long wings with white wing patches diagnostic. Often perches conspicuously uttering a ‘chak’ call.

Habitat: Frequents open areas

Behaviour/Ecology: Often perches on bare branches or man-made structures

Local Status: Common resident and common migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Any suitable open space including HDB estates, parks and edges of wooded areas.

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis
Estimated average number of individuals by week based on eBird data, Jul 2014 to Jun 2024
Peak week Feb 12-Feb 18
Early date 01 Jul 2024
Late date 30 Jun 2024
A significant number of dollarbirds in Singapore may be migrants from China or Russia. A resident population is also present year-round.

References:

BirdLife International. (2016). Eurystomus orientalis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682920A92968881.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

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