SINGAPORE – A bus stop in Dairy Farm Road, which is located near Singapore’s green “heart”, recently claimed several avian victims as multiple birds were seen flying into its clear panels.
Collisions like this could happen as birds may not be able to perceive the clear panels as barriers, experts say.
Mr Jimmy Tan, a freelance editor, posted a video on Facebook on Nov 10 showing an unmoving pink-necked green pigeon lying on the ground at bus stop 43899.
The 52-year-old had cycled past the area at around 8am when he made the observation. He said he inspected the bird and found that its body looked intact and free of external injuries.
While he was reporting the sighting to the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum – which has a hotline for dead bird reportings that can aid in research – a few more birds crashed into the panels, Mr Tan said.
“Just as I was typing my report and wondering if the bird might have crashed into the clear wall at the back of the bus stop, I heard loud thuds and saw three Asian glossy starlings falling onto the ground after crashing into it,” he said.
Two of the starlings recovered quickly and flew away, while the third feathered creature appeared dazed. It opened and shut its eyes periodically for about five minutes before it could stand upright on its feet, he added.
Three starlings were also seen dazed after crashing into the glass panel at bus stop 43899 in Dairy Farm Road on Nov 10.
PHOTO: JIMMY TAN
When a volunteer from the museum went to retrieve the carcass of the male pigeon, she found another dead female green pigeon in the area.
Dairy Farm Road borders the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, and is located near the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.
The museum’s assistant senior curator of birds Tan Yen Yi, who helms the hotline, said that it appeared that the female pigeon had died before the male pigeon.
“That brings the crash count to five birds within 24 hours,” she said.
