SINGAPORE – Mass sightings of Himalayan vultures – a species typically found in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas – have sparked a buzz among Singapore’s birding community in recent days.
Known for their long, broad wings and whitish streaks on their brownish mantle and scapulars, the vultures were spotted at Maju Forest on Jan 4 and 5.
The species is currently classified as “near threatened” by BirdLife International, a global partnership of non-governmental organisations dedicated to bird conservation.
Updates about the sightings quickly flooded social media platforms such as Facebook, with bird enthusiasts across the island sharing photographs, videos and real-time information.
The Himalayan vultures were spotted at Maju Forest on Jan 4 and 5.
Mr Kelvin Ng, 51, first heard about the vultures being seen in the trees of Maju Forest on the evening of Jan 4. He decided to head to Clementi Street 13, the nearest vantage point, the following morning.
When he arrived, he saw about 30 to 40 birdwatchers gathered on the 14th floor of Block 118 Clementi Street 13, snapping photographs of four vultures.
Mr Ng, a production supervisor, said: “Although it’s not my first time seeing them here, it is always an exciting experience to see these huge raptors. It is rare to see them in Singapore as they are vagrant birds. Singapore has no food source for them, so it is very rare for them to perch here to rest.”
