SINGAPORE HAS LONG HAD A REPUTATION AS ONE of the world’s greenest cities. Following independence from Malaysia almost 60 years ago, efforts began to transform this island nation into a ‘garden city’. Today, as the world looks to nature as an ally in the climate crisis, it seems Singapore was way ahead of its time. Among the tightly packed high-rise apartments, offce blocks and shopping malls, there are nature reserves, parks and buildings adorned with flowering trees and shrubs.
Greenery is everywhere in Singapore, bringing with it an abundance of wild creatures that have adapted to this very human landscape (see box, page 76). Many are taken for granted, yet some of these urban species demonstrate remarkably innovative and intelligent behaviour that scientists are only just beginning to understand. One such example is the oriental pied hornbill.
This large bird, one of 62 hornbill species (and the only one in Singapore), is easily recognised by its long, downcurved bill and distinctive headgear called
