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We’ve got new mascots, a Crimson Sunbird and a Common Rose.
The poll was actually conducted back in 2002 when some of us still wore short pants on a regular basis. The Crimson Sunbird has been the unofficial ambassador of the feathered variety for quite a while now, but made it’s jump into the official list on 31st October 2015.
The bird was declared the “winner” by Dr Shawn Lum who is the President of the Nature Society in Singapore at the 6th Asian Bird Fair Fellowship Dinner. Yes there’s a fellowship of learned people who studies birds, and here we say there are a lack of jobs or things to do in Singapore.
Aside from declaring the bird the national bird of Singapore, Dr Lum has taken the liberty to introduce another animal into the official list of official animals (not the otter) a Common Rose, and no it isn’t a flower, we already have a flower. It’s a butterfly that just like the bird I’ve not seen before.
There is another equally important connection to Singapore, though. The first person to collect, describe and publish on this species in a journal is Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore. He did so in 1822, while stationed in Bencoolen (now Bengkulu, Sumatra). So at least there’s some sort of historical significance for the bird.
If you want to go meet this bird and give it your support as our new ambassador you can find it in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Bukit Batok Nature Reserve. Bring binoculars.
[plinker]
