MAY 27, 2002

THE hunt is on to find a national bird that best sums up Singapore's characteristics and spirit.

Tiny bright sunbirds and a large magnificent eagle are some of the feathered creatures winging their way to the top of the pecking order.

Polls SINGAPORE'S NATIONAL BIRD The search is on to find a national bird that best sums up Singapore's characteristics and spirit. Which one do you think it should be? The crimson sunbird The greater racket-tailed drongo The black-naped oriole The olive-backed sunbird The white-bellied fish eagle

Will the honour go to the crimson sunbird, olive-backed sunbird, white-bellied fish eagle, black-naped oriole or greater racket-tailed drongo?

These five birds have been shortlisted by members of the Nature Society of Singapore's bird group because they are native here.

It is, however, open to other suggestions from the public.

The quest is part of the society's fourth annual nature day event being held over the weekend and today to showcase its work.

It is also launching a search for a national tree.

Why a national bird? Dr Vilma D'Rozario, chairman of the society's education group, explained: 'Singapore has a national flower - the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid - but it doesn't have a national bird, unlike dozens of other countries.'

One driving force behind the campaign was the society's council member, Mr Sunny Yeo, who noted that all the feathered candidates have their own characteristics.

 

The crimson sunbird

The greater racket-tailed drongo

The black-naped oriole

The olive-backed sunbird

The white-bellied fish eagle

'The oriole is an imperial yellow colour, the sea eagle is huge, beautiful and majestic, the drongo is elegant, the crimson sunbird is a tiny red dot and the olive-backed sunbird is a nesting family bird.'

Visitors can view pictures of the five birds at the society's stalls at the Parco Bugis Junction Atrium and cast their votes today between 10.30 am and 9.30 pm.

The seven trees picked by the society's plant group to face the ballot box are the tembusu, pulai, penaga laut, seraya, ketapang (sea almond), sepitir and sea fig.

The national bird and tree campaigns are being held to generate greater awareness of the nation's rich natural heritage, Dr D'Rozario said.

'By encouraging people to appreciate nature, we hope they will grow to love and care for it and then take steps to conserve nature.'

Both campaigns are unofficial and informal, but the society hopes they will generate interest in native species and start people thinking about and supporting the idea of having national symbols to represent the country's nature.

So which bird is the hot favourite?

Mr Andrew Mok, 36, voted yesterday for the crimson sunbird. His reason: 'The bird is bright red, stands out and is quite rare.'

But eight-year-old Chua Zhen Chun picked the black-naped oriole.

'Its colour is unique and it is more peaceful than the other birds,' she said.

Dr D'Rozario's bet is on the crimson sunbird because of its colour.

'It's bright red like the Singapore flag and Singapore is often described as a tiny red dot by neighbouring countries.'

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