Mandai Bird Paradise
Mandai Bird Paradise – where birds rule and humans dodge poo!
Spread across 17 hectares, this cooler, fancier cousin of the old Jurong Bird Park boasts eight impressive walk-through aviaries, each with its own unique charm:
- Heart of Africa – A lush replica of the Congo, where hornbills and turacos rule the treetops
- Wings of Asia – Home to some of the rarest and most elusive Asian birds
- Amazonian Jewels – A rainforest wonderland bursting with colorful tanagers and toucans
- Songs of the Forest – Where rare songbirds of Southeast Asia croon sweet melodies
- Mysterious Papua – A land of cassowaries and birds of paradise all dressed up for the party
- Lory Loft – A sky-high haven where rainbow-colored lorikeets pretend they love you (as long as you have nectar)
- Penguin Cove – Where tuxedo-clad penguins waddle about in their air-conditioned palace
- Australian Outback – Home to kookaburras, cockatoos, and emus
With over 3,500 birds from 400 species of birds flying freely within these massive aviaries, one or two of these cheeky fellas might just decide to land on your unsuspecting head.
On my first visit to this avian haven, a mischievous Sclater’s Crowned Pigeon sidled up to me, took an interest in my shoe, and began pecking at my shoelaces like it was a big juicy worm. And yes, the suspect was caught on video!
The Sclater’s Crowned Pigeon (Goura sclaterii) is native to the lowland forests of Papua New Guinea, and can be found in the Mysterious Papua aviary.
With countless birds clamouring for the spotlight as we wandered through each aviary, it was only natural to feel utterly dazzled.
Armed with a camera and a park map, we went on a hunt for the most bizarre-looking birds decked out in their most outlandish outfits. These are what we discovered:
Heart of Africa
Hailing from Madagascar, the Crested Coua (Coua cristata) looks like a punk-rock bird—sporting a stylish blue eye-ring and a fluffy crest. Unlike most cuckoos, this vibrant beauty doesn’t freeload by laying its eggs in other birds’ nests; instead, it takes full parenting responsibility (a rare trait in its family). With its acrobatic hops through the treetops and a diet consisting of insects, fruit, and the occasional small reptile, the Crested Coua is a true jungle explorer.
Native to the forests and mangroves of West and Central Africa, the Blue-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon malimbica) flaunts a dazzling blue back, a rich turquoise breast and a pointy beak suited for piercing its unsuspecting prey.
The Red-crested Turaco (Tauraco erythrolophus) is a head-turner, with a striking green body, bold red crest, and a corn niblet for its bill. Native to the forests of Angola, this charismatic bird doesn’t just rely on good looks—it’s also an acrobat, leaping effortlessly between branches with its zygodactyl feet (two toes forward, two toes back).
The Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) is the bird world’s ultimate architect, known for building massive, over-the-top nests. Native to Africa and parts of Madagascar, this oddball wading bird gets its name from its hammer-shaped head, complete with a long, flat bill and a stylish crest at the back.
Native to the dense forests of West and Central Africa, the Western Long-tailed Hornbill (Horizocerus albocristatus) sports a sleek black body, a striking white crest, and—true to its name—a ridiculously long tail. Unlike its larger hornbill cousins, this one is light on its feet (or wings) and flits through the trees with surprising agility.
The Northern Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus) is the class clown of the savanna—curious, bold, and always up to something. With its signature bright red bill, black-and-white plumage, and an almost comically long tail, this hornbill is a familiar sight across dry woodlands and scrublands of northern Africa. It’s known for its quirky head-bobbing movements and playful antics, often seen foraging for insects on the ground or snatching up small critters with lightning-fast precision.
The Bearded Barbet (Pogonornis dubius) looks like a bird who couldn’t decide whether to be a parrot or a toucan. Native to West Africa, this chunky, fruit-loving bird sports a striking black and red body, a thick yellow eye-ring, and—its most iconic feature—a scruffy tuft of feathers (or “beard”) right below its hefty, hooked beak.
With shimmering blue-green feathers, a fiery orange belly, and a crisp white chest band, the Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus) is designed to dazzle. Native to East Africa, the Superb Starling is a social butterfly, living in large, noisy flocks that are constantly chattering like a group of gossiping neighbours.
Native to the woodlands and savannas of West and Central Africa, the Purple Starling (Lamprotornis purpureus) shimmers in metallic shades of deep purple and emerald green—looking like it flew straight out of a royal jewellery box. It’s also a skilled forager, feasting on insects, fruits, and the occasional small lizard.
Native to eastern and southern Africa, the Red-winged Starling (Onychognathus morio) is often found perched dramatically on cliffs, buildings, or even right next to humans, watching the world with its intense dark eyes. A fan of fruit, insects, and the occasional picnic raid, the Red-winged Starling is both resourceful and a little mischievous.
The Taveta Golden-Weaver (Ploceus castaneiceps) is tiny, bright yellow, and a little bit obsessive about nest-building. Native to the wetlands and grasslands of East Africa, particularly around Tanzania’s Taveta region, this vibrant weaver sports a stunning golden-yellow body with a slightly rufous head, making it look like a tiny sunbeam flitting through the reeds. Males go all out during breeding season, crafting intricate, hanging nests to impress potential mates.
Native to West Africa’s wetlands and savannas, the Chestnut-and-black Weaver (Ploceus castaneofuscus) skillfully crafts elaborate hanging nests that look like tiny woven baskets. Males go full-on showoff mode during breeding season, fluffing up their feathers and displaying their handiwork to impress potential mates.
Found across Africa, the Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea) sports a sleek gray body, a chestnut-hued wing panel covered in white speckles (hence the name), and a striking red patch around its eyes that gives it a permanently intense look. Unlike its city-dwelling pigeon cousins, the Speckled Pigeon prefers open spaces, perching on rooftops, cliffs, and trees.
Wings of Asia
The Blue-eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon auritum) is graceful, refined, and always dressed in its finest blue-gray plumage. Native to the mountainous forests of China, this elegant pheasant usually stands out with its long, flowing tail (the individual we saw probably lost its tail from moulting), bright red facial skin, and, of course, the stylish wisps of white feathers extending from its head like fancy ear tufts.
The Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) sports a long, flat, spoon-shaped bill that it expertly swishes through the water to catch fish and crustaceans. One of the rarest spoonbills in the world, this striking white wader, with its signature black face and fancy yellow throat patch during breeding season, can be found in East Asia’s coastal wetlands.
The Nankeen Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus) is the ninja of the wetlands—silent but deadly. Native to Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific islands, this heron spends its days hunched in trees like a feathery little gargoyle before coming to life at dusk. With its stocky build and piercing eyes, it has a habit of standing completely still before striking at unsuspecting fish.
The Copper Pheasant (Syrmaticus soemmerringii) is a master of camouflage, preferring to stay low to the ground, foraging for seeds and insects in the dense forests of Japan. With its rich copper, bronze and chestnut hues, this hidden gem has continued to elude us in our birding expeditions in Japan, but can easily be found strutting without a care along the streets of Mandai.
Amazonian Jewels
The Amazonian Jewels aviary was littered with White-crowned Pigeons (Patagioenas leucocephala)—perching on the railing, swaggering along the path, and even kicking back in their nests. With its sleek slate-gray body and a crisp white cap that looks like it dipped its head in powdered sugar, they were impossible to ignore. In the wild, these laid-back, elusive pigeons can be found lounging in the Caribbean’s coastal forests and mangroves.
Native to the rainforests of South America, the Capuchinbird (Perissocephalus tricolor) sports a bald, bluish head that gives it a monk-like appearance, draped in warm brown feathers like a humble robe. But don’t let its serene look fool you—when it opens its beak, it unleashes a bizarre call that sounds like a rusty chainsaw.
Found in the Amazon rainforest, the Green Oropendola (Psarocolius viridis) is a social creature, often hanging out in noisy colonies, where the males put on theatrical displays to impress the ladies. Known for their striking looks and impressive nest-building skills, they build ridiculously long, woven hanging nests that dangle from treetops like nature’s own wind chimes.
Endemic to the misty mountain forests of Jamaica, the Crested Quail-Dove (Geotrygon versicolor) rocks a deep chestnut body, an iridescent purplish back, and—its signature feature—a subtle yet regal little crest. Its low, mournful cooing blends seamlessly with the sounds of the forest, making it easier to hear than to see. True to its secretive nature, this elusive dove granted us only a fleeting glimpse before vanishing back into the thick undergrowth.
The Green-cheeked Parakeet (Pyrrhura molinae) is a tiny, feisty bundle of personality wrapped in vibrant feathers. Native to South America’s forests, this charming little parrot sports a green body, a brownish head, a splash of blue on its wings, and of course, the signature green cheeks that give it its name. Playful, mischievous, and always up for a chat, this parakeet is known for its affectionate nature and goofy antics.
Songs of the Forest
The Moluccan King Parrot (Alisterus amboinensis), draped in a stunning mix of scarlet, deep green, and electric blue, is native to the lush forests of Indonesia’s Maluku Islands. Despite its majestic appearance, the Moluccan King Parrot is surprisingly shy, preferring to stay tucked away in the canopy, nibbling on fruits and seeds in peaceful solitude. Though not as chatty as some of its parrot relatives, the Moluccan King Parrot’s call carries a distinct, flute-like quality, consisting of a series of clear, high-pitched whistles and short, metallic-sounding notes.
The Coleto (Sarcops calvus)—bold, black and bald—sports sleek black plumage and a contrasting pinkish-white, featherless head that gives it a bizarre look. Native to the Philippines, this noisy and highly vocal bird produces a wide variety of sounds, ranging from sharp whistles and high-pitched squeaks to raspy, almost mechanical chattering.
The Green Broadbill (Calyptomena viridis) is a tiny jewel of the rainforests of Southeast Asia—glowing in brilliant emerald yet perfectly camouflaged among the dense foliage. Instead of chirping like your average songbird, it emits a series of soft, hooting whirrr or wee-oo—like the woodwinds of the forest orchestra.
The Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) is what happens when nature gets a little playful with its designs—part punk rocker, part medieval court jester, and 100% unforgettable. With its warm cinnamon-colored body, striking black-and-white wings, and a fabulous crest that it can fan out like a feathery mohawk, this bird is quite the looker. Found across Europe, Asia, and Africa, the Hoopoe is famous for its distinctive “hoo-hoo-hoo” call. We were treated to a demo of its fascinating feeding style—using its pickaxe bill to dig up unsuspecting insects from the ground. Its long curved bill isn’t just for foraging—it also comes in handy for prodding any bird that dares cross its path (including an unsuspecting bleeding-heart dove that was simply minding its own business).
The Luzon Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba luzonica) is the ultimate drama queen of the forests of Luzon in the Philippines. This ground-dwelling dove sports soft gray plumage, a pearly white belly, and, of course, its signature crimson “wound” splashed across its chest like it just walked off the set of a tragic love story (or perhaps an unfortunate run-in with an overzealous hoopoe). It has a soft, low, and mournful call—a deep and resonant coo-coo or a gentle, throaty hoo-hoo, often repeated in a slow, rhythmic pattern.
The Polynesian Ground Dove (Pampusana erythroptera) is a rare and elusive island treasure, found in the undergrowth of remote atolls in the South Pacific. This dove is now critically endangered due to habitat loss and predation by introduced species such as cats and rats. It has a soft, low-pitched call, a series of deep, rhythmic coo-coo sounds, sometimes with a slightly throaty or murmuring quality.
The Sulawesi ground dove (Gallicolumba menagei) is a rare and secretive resident of Sulawesi’s lowland and montane forests. Cloaked in soft brown and gray plumage with a hint of warm chestnut, this elusive ground-dweller blends effortlessly into the leaf litter. It has a low, soft, and rhythmic call, often described as a deep, resonant coo-coo or a gentle, throaty hum.
Mysterious Papua
The Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)—draped in shimmering, iridescent feathers that flash emerald green, deep blue, and bronze—is native to the remote islands and coastal forests of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Fun fact: This striking pigeon is the closest living relative of the extinct dodo!
The Cinnamon Ground Dove (Gallicolumba rufigula) is a shy, earth-toned beauty that quietly roams the forest floors of New Guinea. True to its name, this elusive dove is dressed in warm cinnamon-brown plumage, blending seamlessly with the leaf litter as it forages for seeds and fallen fruit.
The Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus)—native to the rainforests of New Guinea and northern Australia—sports an impressive spiked crest, a massive curved beak, and dramatic red cheek patches that flush brighter when it’s excited. But what really sets it apart? Its unique musical talent! The Palm Cockatoo is one of the few birds known to use tools, drumming on tree trunks with sticks to mark its territory.
As we wandered through Mandai Bird Paradise, it became clear—this isn’t just a place to see birds; it’s a place to truly connect with them. From the dazzling flashes of color in the Amazonian Jewels to the playful antics of parrots in the Lory Loft, every aviary showcases the incredible diversity, intelligence, and charm of these feathered wonders. With a few more aviaries left to explore and new birds still waiting to be discovered, we’ll definitely be flocking back for another visit!