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Peregrine Falcon in Singapore’s heartland

on 4th February 2009

Kwek Swee Meng sent an image of a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) perching at a window ledge of a Housing Development Board’s apartment in Singapore.

This falcon has an almost worldwide distribution, breeding in west Siberia to Kamchatka and migrating south to the Malay Peninsula, down to Singapore and Sumatra.

Our bird specialist, R Subaraj noted that “this is an adult Peregrine Falcon of the migratory race japonensis, which is the most regularly seen subspecies in Singapore. It usually occurs between October-April and can be encountered anywhere in Singapore, including the city where they have been observed hunting Rock Pigeons.

“A second subspecies, ernesti, accounts for a few records each year. It is a resident in Peninsula Malaysia but is considered a visitor to Singapore. They are usually encountered during the “winter” months but could occur anytime of the year.”

This falcon continues to impress urban Singaporeans with its presence, many of whom do not expect to see such a large raptor right in their backyard.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

3 Responses

  1. Great sighting. I wonder if it’s possible that someday, individuals of the ernesti subspecies will take up permanent residence in our urban areas, and prey on the pigeons like their counterparts in so many other cities.

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