Home to almost 400 species of birds – from mynas and sparrows, to kingfishers, parakeets, egrets, and sunbirds – Singapore is an avi-fauna paradise. You can enjoy the melodic tunes of our fine feathered friends at virtually every corner of the island.

A good place to watch birds in their natural habit would be the former quarry at the newly expanded Dairy Farm Nature Park. Located close to Singapore’s largest nature reserve at Bukit Timah, the 63-hectare Dairy Farm Nature Park offers lots of trails for hiking and biking.

To see the birds in action, it is important to go early in the morning – best at the break of dawn (5 am to 7 am) – or the evenings when they return to their homes to roost. Regular birders advise that you should use your ears and your eyes, so keeping silent is important for bird watchers.

Do also invest in a pair of binoculars (cheap ones will do), bring along a guidebook or download an app, and ensure that you are protected from the Sun. Remember to also bring along water and snacks, and put on a comfortable pair of outdoor shoes.

Who knows, if you’re lucky enough, you may even be able to catch the Oriental Pied Hornbill.

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Did you know that there are two rival otter clans in Singapore: the Marina Bay otter family of 12, and the Bishan Park otter family of 10? Apparently, the original Marina family of otters were displaced by the Bishan family in territorial disputes!

Both are smooth-coated otters who have been winning hearts among local netizens in local waterways. 

Seen near rivers, mangroves, mudflats and coastal areas such as Bishan Park, Marina Reservoir, Kallang Riverside Park, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Pulau Ubin, these smooth-coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) have made their presence felt in Singapore. 

Small-clawed oriental otters (Amblonyx cinereus) can also be found in Singapore's remote outer islands. They are nocturnal and move around as solitary individuals instead of in groups. Cycling down the Singapore River might give you the best chance to snap a photo of these water-loving mammals. 

Do avoid using flash or making noise so as not to startle them. Keep an eye on Otterwatch to track down the latest sightings of these amphibious adventurers.

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Do you know that the Banded leaf monkey (Raffles' banded langur, or Presbytis femoralis femorali), native to Singapore, is almost extinct here? Down to a population of 60, the monkey can only be found in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve now (Straits Times).

More often than not, if you do see a monkey in Singapore, it is likely to be a long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis). Over 1000 of them can be found in nature parks, rainforests, and offshore islands here.

Keep your food and belongings hidden though — the long-tailed macaques are very intelligent and can be very mischievous!

A good place to spot them is the 11-hectare Woodlands Waterfront Park, a relatively quiet, family-friendly spot close to the Causeway to Johor Bahru.

Featuring a seafood restaurant on the water, the park welcomes cyclists, joggers, fishers, and crabbers, and is linked to Singapore’s Park Connector Network. Woodlands Waterfront Park is accessible by bus 856 from the bus interchange near Woodlands MRT station.

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Wish to walk on the wild side? Well, why not wander to where wild boars (Sus scrofa) can be spotted?

Beyond Pulau Ubin where they are commonly sighted, residents in Singapore have reported sightings in the less developed parts of Punggol, Jurong West (e.g. near Nanyang Technological University), and Pasir Ris.

Do you know that besides the increasing boar population due to the absence of predators, female wild boars from 18 months of age can also start having four to six piglets every year?

Female boars with piglets tend to be protective of their young, so keeping your distance and having a camera with a good zoom lens is your best bet.

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Labrador Nature Reserve is a treasure trove of biodiversity, history, and captivating vistas. A segment of the Southern Ridges, this reserve encompasses diverse parks like Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, and Kent Ridge Park. Notably, you'll encounter a profoundly historic WWII fort within its boundaries.

As you explore the reserve, keep your eyes peeled for the Pangolin – among the planet's most trafficked mammals. Recognisable as the Scaly Anteater, Pangolins feast on ants and termites, featuring snouts, tongues, and bodies adorned with scales. 

While they mainly traverse ground terrain, they're adept climbers too. Given their shy, nocturnal disposition, anticipate spotting them during evening hours when they emerge from their burrows.

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Get around Singapore on your holiday with a 1-, 2-, or 3-day tourist pass from S$22 per day, including bus, MRT train and LRT transportation. The Singapore Tourist Pass (1-day, 2-day, or 3-day) gives you unlimited public bus, MRT, and LRT travel, while the Singapore Tourist Pass Plus (3-day) entitles visitors to a complimentary one-hour walking tour of one of Singapore’s heritage neighbourhoods and a limited edition postcard set. 

These passes are ideal for the traveller who decides on where to go and what to do in Singapore on the spur of the moment, or on the same day itself!

Learn more at the Singapore Tourist Pass Website.

If you are looking for more recommendations on where to explore in Singapore, feel free to contact our team in Singapore, who are glad to offer their assistance and help you make the most of your stay in Singapore.