Birds
Printed on:
• Bird series all denominations
Birds were chosen as the theme for Singapore’s second series of banknotes, issued from 1976 to 1984. The idea was to show that Singapore was a young and growing nation, full of energy and moving forward. The notes featured local birds with bright and colourful feathers, such as the Red-whiskered Bulbul (B5) and the Black-naped Oriole (B500), on the front. Birds tie in with the idea of a Garden City, and also make good designs for banknotes because they are beautiful, easy to recognise, and not linked to any one race or religion.
Birds are known for their ability to migrate across great distances and still return to the same spot every year. They have a natural sense of direction, using the sun, stars, Earth’s magnetic field, and landmarks to find their way. Many birds can build a nest, travel thousands of kilometres, and come back to the exact same tree or bush. This strong link between movement and home fits well with the birds shown in Singapore’s Bird Series. For example, the Black-naped Oriole, seen on the $500 note, often travels across different parts of Asia but tends to stay within familiar regions. The White-rumped Shama, shown on the $50 note, is known for its sharp memory of its home area. These birds reflect a sense of reaching outward while holding onto a clear sense of place.
Among small countries in the world, Singapore ranks highest for our biodiversity density—nearly eight times higher than Brunei—which comes in second. Biodiversity density refers to the number of different species found within a given amount of land or sea area. This is despite our small land area and dense urban layout. Our parks, nature reserves, and coastal zones support a wide range of species, including hundreds of bird types. Careful conservation has made our country a key stop for migratory birds and a refuge for native species, far ahead of other small nations like Eswatini, Rwanda, and Bhutan.
Singapore has many fine locations for birdwatching. Parks like Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, and the Southern Ridges offer a chance to see many species in the wild. Singapore also has a bird park, now at a new home called Bird Paradise at Mandai. Opened in 2023, the park brings together birds from all over the world in larger, more natural enclosures.