In a first, NParks trials use of dead bird effigies to prevent crows from congregating, Singapore News
SINGAPORE - Hanging upside-down from a tree branch, the full-feathered "crow" was limp, its eyes devoid of any signs of life.
The dead bird, however, is not real, but just a plastic effigy.
It is part of an ongoing trial by the National Parks Board (NParks) to prevent murders of house crows (Corvus splendens), considered an invasive species here, from congregating in large groups.
Such effigies have been tested overseas in places such as the US with some success, and NParks is testing them out here for the first time as a tool to disperse these birds.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, Mr How Choon Beng, NParks' group director of wildlife management, said: "The effigies are placed at roost sites and positioned to resemble dead crows. The aim is to create a perception of danger and encourage the roosting crows to disperse to other locations."
The realistic decoys were first deployed in Singapore in late 2023, with each effigy deployed at a site for about two weeks on average, NParks said.
Since 2023, a total of 15 effigies have been put up across eight locations that are heavily populated with crows, or experience higher volumes of disturbances by crows.
NParks shared that it received an average of nearly 7,000 cases of crow-related feedback annually from 2023 to 2024, relating to issues such as noise, sightings, attacks, feeding and soiling.
The board did not reveal the exact locations of the set-ups, but The Straits Times had observed one effigy deployed on a tree outside Katong V mall in April.
"This is a plastic crow. Please do not be alarmed," read a sign next to the tree where the effigy had been deployed. That effigy was taken down on April 24.
As data collection is still ongoing, NParks said it was unable to provide further details.
Trials of these crow effigies come after news of these birds flying at and pecking passers-by.
Between February and March 2023, there were reports of crow attacks in Bishan and Serangoon, with some 10 passers-by getting hit or having crows swoop right by them in a 20-minute span near Block 110 Bishan Street 12.
Another crow attack at Block 485B Tampines Avenue 9 in July 2024 led to the removal of 77 crow nests from a stretch of trees in Tampines.
There were also cases of crows attacking humans outside Orchard Central mall in October 2024. Two birds attacked about 10 individuals in the span of an hour, ST observed, with one victim sustaining a bleeding earlobe.
A 2008 scientific paper by the National Wildlife Research Centre of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services had cited an earlier paper that suggested that dead crows, when hung on fences or from trees near fields, "can be effective for months".
That study had also suggested that "crows readily associate death and danger with places where their brethren have died".
The USDA researchers then sought to test out their hypothesis that effigies could be an effective tool in dispersing crows. Each effigy was suspended upside down from a prominent branch near the top of a centrally located roost tree.
Ahead of the winters of 2005 and 2006, the researchers installed effigies of dead crows in wooded areas of Lancaster in Pennsylvania, the US, where up to 40,000 crows would roost together.
The first effigies were put up in November 2005, and by January of the following year, the crows had split into smaller roosting aggregations.
Prior to the return of winter in October 2006, the researchers installed the effigies again, and observed that the area was used only sparingly by crows throughout the second winter.
The researchers concluded that this tactic was effective in dispersing large numbers of crows at large roost sites away from the effigies.
However, they also noted that crows are observant and wary of changes in their environment. Some crows occasionally returned to roost sites at night when the effigies were not as visible.
House crows are common residents in cities and towns, and thrive in urban environments.
In Singapore, these black birds can often be found at food centres and rubbish bins scavenging for leftover food. Their cawing and droppings can bring about inconvenience and unsanitary conditions when gathering and roosting, especially near residential areas.
During the fledgling season between May and June, adult house crows get extra protective and may attack humans who come close to their young. The fledgling season is the period when young birds develop their ability to fly.
Nature Society Singapore's bird group told ST previously that house crows pose a threat to local biodiversity as they are known to prey on the Malaysian plover, a critically endangered bird native to the Republic.
Vice-president of research and conservation group Bird Society Singapore Movin Nyanasengeran noted that the practice of deploying crow effigies is common enough that one can buy such decoys easily online.
"It will probably be effective, at least initially. Crows are, however, very intelligent, so it's tough to say if it will remain effective over time... but it is definitely preferable over shooting or poisoning the birds, and is unlikely to lead to any detrimental impacts on its welfare," added the PhD student, who studies bird species distributions at NUS.
He added that it is difficult to predict when the crows would eventually learn that the decoys are harmless and do not indicate danger, before returning to roost.
[[nid:709377]]
The crow effigies add to a suite of measures already being implemented to manage crow populations in Singapore.
These include removing nests and sources of food, modifying their habitats to make them less conducive for roosting and trapping the birds.
"NParks adopts a holistic and science-based approach to managing pest bird species... (and) conducts studies to understand the ecology of the birds, such as their roosting patterns and movements," said NParks' Mr How.
Those who wish to provide feedback on crows in their neighbourhoods can contact NParks' Animal and Veterinary Service on 1800-476-1600 or submit an online feedback form at https://www.avs.gov.sg/feedback How to control crow populations Avoid feeding crows. Under the Wildlife Act, offenders can be fined up to $5,000 for their first offence of feeding any wild animal, including crows, and up to $10,000 for subsequent offences. Mr How said NParks also monitors feedback on illegal bird feeding and undertakes active enforcement, which includes physical surveillance and the deployment of CCTV cameras at identified feeding hotspots.
Fruits in trees planted in landed property should be harvested or covered with an opaque material. This is because crows are omnivores and feed on insects, fruits, vegetables, rubbish and carcasses.
hose living in houses near hotspots where crows roost should remove water sources in their yards, as they may present a stable drinking source for the birds.
Pet owners should remove unfinished food and spills if they feed their pets outdoors. Ideally, pets should be fed indoors.
Residents of landed property can consider playing recordings of crow distress calls multiple times a day, or stringing up shiny metal pieces, such as CDs, to reflect sunlight and disperse roosting crows. However, this method may not be effective for long, as crows are intelligent birds.
This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
Meet the Stomper, GrabFood rider and NParks volunteer who keeps Singapore's parks thriving
Meet the Stomper, GrabFood rider and NParks volunteer who keeps Singapore's parks thriving Have you ever walked through a park and wondered who takes care of these lush green spaces we enjoy every day? Well, National Parks Board volunteers, like Stomper Wencong, play a part in upkeeping the biodiversity in parks around Singapore. Stomper Wencong studied a horticulture course at Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN) Delta Senior School, which sparked his passion for nature. After graduating this year, he realised he wanted to contribute to making Singapore's green spaces more beautiful and started volunteering with NParks. Wencong's volunteer work. PHOTO: STOMP He gave Stomp a run-down of what his role entails: "As a volunteer, I've been involved in landscape maintenance, which includes tasks like pruning plants, clearing leaves, and ensuring the overall aesthetic appeal of the parks. "Horticulture maintenance involves caring for plants, like watering, fertilising and propagating them. I've also been learning about resident gardening, which focuses on creating and maintaining gardens in residential areas." Wencong told Stomp that he works part-time as a GrabFood delivery rider. "Volunteering in landscape maintenance is just a hobby that I started this June. I volunteer for about an hour each week at Woodlands Waterfront Park," he added. Wencong is proud to be able to witness biodiversity thrive as a result of NParks volunteers' hard work. "My favourite part about volunteering is seeing the impact of my work and knowing that I'm helping to create a more beautiful environment for everyone to enjoy. "One memorable moment was when I saw the Asian Weaver Ants thriving in the park after we helped to create a safe habitat for them." Wencong encourages everyone to engage in horticulture activities, as it can improve mental well-being. View more photos in the gallery. Click here to contribute a story or submit it to our WhatsApp Get more of Stomp's latest updates by following us on:
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
Forum: Building a safe and supportive learning environment for our students
We thank and agree with Ms Sujatha Nair's Forum letter 'Policy alone not sufficient to tackle school bullying' (June 12). Fostering safe and supportive learning environments for all students, where ground practice matches policy, remains a key priority in our schools. Our schools endeavour to implement a whole-of-school approach to create a caring and nurturing environment that supports all learners, including students with special educational needs (SEN). We are also committed to fostering an inclusive environment for students with SEN. Preventive, educative and restorative measures are adopted to address bullying incidents. Through the Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) curriculum, students learn to be empathetic, sensitive, and respectful to one another. They learn to appreciate individuals who are different and not stereotype these individuals. This learning extends beyond the classroom through co-curricular activities, Values-in-Action programmes and community activities, where students, including those with SEN, can interact meaningfully. School rules and disciplinary frameworks are regularly communicated to students, including guidance on how to report bullying and hurtful behaviour through safe channels, and when to alert teachers. Teachers are trained to foster positive classroom culture, identify students in distress and proactively address hurtful behaviour. They are supported by experienced school staff and school counsellors to manage bullying incidents and facilitate relationship restoration. All schools have a peer support structure in place, with peer support leaders who are trained and equipped with skills to provide social-emotional support to their peers, refer peers for help, or alert teachers where needed. SEN officers are also trained to implement interventions like the Circle of Friends to create opportunities for meaningful friendships for students with SEN and their peers to foster mutual understanding and support. As highlighted in The Straits Times article 'Can you bully-proof your child?' (May 25), parents also play a crucial role in shaping their child's character through role-modelling positive behaviour and fostering respectful interactions. When a child faces challenging situations including bullying, parents' emotional support helps reinforce pro-social values and develop healthy coping skills. The Ministry of Education and our schools will continue to work with parents and the community to create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. Albert Chia Director, Psychological Services Branch, Special Educational Needs Division, Ministry of Education More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
15-06-2025
- Straits Times
Wife from China left him over special-needs son, divorced cancer survivor now gets by on CPF and subisidies
Wife from China left him over special-needs son, divorced cancer survivor now gets by on CPF and subisidies Stephanie Yeo The Straits Times June 14, 2025 When Mr Ben Phua, 69, takes a bus with Zai Quan, 14, strangers sometimes compliment the boy's striking eyes and thick lashes. "They say Zai Quan is so handsome and they ask, 'Is this your grandson?' I say, 'No, this is my son,'" he says. The divorced retiree is the sole caregiver of his only child, who was born with an extra chromosome, resulting in multiple disabilities. While Zai Quan can walk, he is non-verbal and relies on his father for everyday activities. Mr Phua never intended to get married, much less become a father. Looking for love was a luxury for the bachelor, who worked long hours as a building technician, among other roles. In his spare time, he upgraded himself through night classes at the former Vocational and Industrial Training Board. At his mother's behest, he married a 26-year-old Chinese national in 2009 within weeks of being introduced to her. He was then 53. The couple were blindsided when their baby was born with special needs in November 2010, he says. The doctor had not alerted them to any abnormalities. The stress of raising Zai Quan created a rift in their marriage and his former wife left their marital home several times over the years. Their divorce was finalised in May 2020 and Mr Phua had sole custody of their then 10-year-old son. He quit his job as a mechanical and engineering site supervisor in the construction industry to take care of his son in late 2019. Six months later, he had to undergo surgery for Stage 2 prostate cancer. Unhappy with his domestic helper's quarrelsome ways, he let her go in 2021 and took over caring for Zai Quan full-time in their three-room flat in Ang Mo Kio. PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES Their daily routine is simple but stressful, Mr Phua says. Zai Quan tends to wake up late if he has trouble sleeping, which is more often than not these days. So, Mr Phua feeds the boy a cup of Milo in between getting him ready to board the school bus to Minds Fernvale Gardens School in the late morning. If his son manages to wake up early, he reheats for him the food he cooked the previous night. While Zai Quan is in school, Mr Phua does household chores, including washing clothes his son may have soiled, and makes dinner. The self-taught cook says his early meals "cannot make it", but now, he knows his way around seasonings and considers his fried chicken and pork "quite tasty, very nice". He mashes his son's food by hand as he has no blender. Once Zai Quan returns home in the late afternoon, it is time for him to eat and shower before being tucked into bed between 10pm and midnight. Mr Phua says his movements have been slower since his hernia operation in 2023, making daily tasks a challenge. During a particularly trying period two years ago, he had to postpone his operation as his son fell sick with flu and had to be hospitalised for two weeks. Later, he scrambled to find a place for Zai Quan to stay while he himself was admitted for his surgery, and was relieved when Assisi Hospice accepted the boy for about 90 days, especially since he had post-operation complications. On some days, he admits, he just runs out of steam. "I fall asleep when I'm eating," he says. When he wakes up with a start, he rushes to bathe his son before his bedtime. He relies on his Central Provident Fund retirement account savings to get by, as well as help from government initiatives such as ComCare, a social safety net for lower-income families, and social service agency Singapore Cancer Society, plus subsidies from various organisations. The team from cancer non-profit 365 Cancer Prevention Society, which used to dispense financial assistance to Mr Phua, currently supports him and his son with home visits, as well as texts and phone calls. Father and son enjoy the occasional day out, thanks to activities organised by the cancer society and Club Rainbow, a charity that supports children with chronic illnesses. Mr Phua also looks forward to receiving vegetables and dry groceries every month from the residents' committee. He says "it is not easy" to take care of a child with special needs, listing the never-ending inconveniences he has to bear, from cleaning faeces off clothing to keeping his temper in check when his son refuses to obey. But when he is reading from a poster of fruits to Zai Quan for the photo shoot, he reveals a different side. PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES A big smile replaces his frown as he hugs his son. His voice softens. Zai Quan sits in rapt attention when his father talks to him, smiling and grunting. This means that he is happy, Mr Phua says. If only he had the time to read to his son every day, he laments. There is just too much to do at home. With the boy turning 15 in November and Mr Phua almost in his seventh decade, the issue of who will take care of his son weighs heavily on his mind. The second of four siblings, Mr Phua worries that Zai Quan will end up in a nursing home, where he will have no intellectual stimulation. Turning to his son, he says: "Papa's last wish is to find a good home for you." Click here to contribute a story or submit it to our WhatsApp Get more of Stomp's latest updates by following us on:
