Birds are important for the measurement of environmental health, because they correlate strongly with environmental health. 423 species have been recorded, 217 are native, 15 are introduced species, which are naturalized, and 163 are migrants. Unfortunately, 61% of the forest bird fauna has been lost. Especially insectivorous birds are vulnerable. Habitat loss, food scarcity, unviable population levels, hunting or trapping, poisoning, contamination and competition with alien species are the main factors. Habitat loss may increase the probability of meeting predators.

 

White-bellied woodpecker Dryocopus javensis

This woodpecker is critically endangered, it is known that only a maximum of five birds lived at Bukit Timah and the Central Catchment Nature Reserves in 2008. Current numbers are unknown. This canopy bird prefers tall trees of freshwater swamp forests. This woodpecker is found throughout whole Southeast Asia and the major threat is unviable population levels due to inbreeding.

Greater painted snipe Rostratula benghalensis

This is an unusual species, because they exhibit role reversal. This means that the males hatch the eggs and care for the young. The female, which is brightly coloured mates as much as possible with other males. This swampy land bird is critically endangered in Singapore. You can find this bird at Punggol, Serangoon, Loyang, Marina South and Marina East. Their biggest threat is habitat loss, which resulted in the current number of 30 to 50 individuals.