birdbrainsg

Author: Bird Brain

  • My Maiden Intertidal Walk

    My Maiden Intertidal Walk

    My Childhood Memory of the Seashore Life

    My fascination with seashore creatures began in my childhood, rooted in frequent visits to Pasir Ris beach with my father in the 1980s and 1990s. His mother and sister lived nearby, giving us the perfect excuse to explore this coastal haven.

    Those trips left indelible memories:

    • The elusive mudskippers, tiny and impossibly quick, always evading our grasp
    • Baby squids, their defense mechanism on full display as they turned white after expelling their ink (a stress response to our curious prodding)
    • Black Eeltail catfish (Plotosus canius), camouflaged among the ‘sea litter’ – dried leaves, seaweed and even rubbish, waiting to be discovered. Dad warned us against the venomous spines.
    • The harmless Sand Bubbler Crabs (Scopimera and Dotilla spp.), which left holes on the sandy beaches.
    A Sand Bubbler Crab filtering for food from the balls of sand.

    Armed with the beloved $5 guidebook – “A Guide to Seashore Life” published by the Singapore Science Centre – I embarked on a journey of discovery. This pocket-sized treasure trove became my trusted companion, helping me decipher the identities of various sea creatures.

    In those carefree days, our curiosity often led us to capture fascinating marine creatures and bring them home. Sadly, most perished within days, with only the hardy catfish surviving for months. Looking back with regret, it’s striking how different our mindset and approach were then:

    • Wildlife conservation wasn’t yet a widespread concept
    • Our interactions with nature were driven primarily by personal curiosity and fun
    • We didn’t fully grasp the impact of removing creatures from their natural habitats

    This reflection serves as a poignant reminder of how our understanding and relationship with nature have evolved. While those experiences sparked a lifelong interest in marine life, they also highlight the importance of conservation and responsible interaction with ecosystems.

    A Return to the Shore: Guided Intertidal Walk at Changi Beach

    Fast forward to last week, and I found myself embarking on my first guided intertidal walk. Organised by “Just Keep Thinking” and led by the renowned MJ Biogal, this excursion took place at Changi Beach, right beside the Ferry Terminal to Pulau Tekong. Arriving early, my friend and I seized the opportunity for some impromptu bird watching. We spotted White-Bellied Sea Eagles, Long-Tailed Parakeets, and Collared Kingfishers, along with the Common Mynas, Javan Mynas and House Crows.

    White-Bellied Sea Eagle (Icthyophaga leucogaster) Clutches a Catfish in its Talons
    A pair of collared kingfishers (Todiramphus chloris) perched on the Casuarina tree (Casuarina equisetifolia)

    MJ Biogal, our guide, proved to be a passionate advocate for environmental conservation, truly walking the talk. Her approach to the intertidal walk was a stark contrast to my childhood experiences. She enforced firm guidelines, prohibiting the digging out of creatures and touching, especially venomous species like fire worms and bristle worms. Throughout the walk, MJ actively educated the public, reminding other beachgoers to leave creatures undisturbed.

    MJ Biogal with one of her fans.

    During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, MJ raised awareness about the mistreatment of marine life, notably calling out those skewering through Sand Dollars (Clypeasteroida), like meat chunks on a satay stick, killing them right in front of her eyes. It was a powerful reminder of the need to balance our curiosity with respect for marine life and their habitats and there is a lot more to be done to educate the public.

    During our guided walk, our group of 36 was divided into smaller clusters, each led by an experienced guide. I found myself in a group led by Jerryl, an avid diver with aspirations of becoming a marine biologist. Our exploration began with a molted flower crab shell. When a young boy in our group mistook it for a dead crab, Jerryl seized the opportunity for an impromptu learning session.

    Defensive Dance: A Flower Crab (Portunus pelagicus) Raises Its Claws in a Bold Stand-off

    Using engaging questioning techniques, Jerryl sparked curiosity among the group, particularly exciting two enthusiastic boys. “What are the tell-tale signs that this isn’t a dead crab?” he asked, encouraging critical thinking and observation. This interactive approach not only corrected misconceptions but also kindled a deeper interest in marine life among the participants.

    As we gathered around, Jerryl revealed the fascinating details that distinguish a molted shell from a dead crab:

    The Missing Eyes: In a freshly dead crab, the eyes are still visible. However, on a molted shell, you won’t find any eyes. This absence is a clear sign that what we’re looking at is just the discarded outer layer of the crab.

    The Gap: A key indicator is the noticeable gap between the molt. This separation occurs as the crab sheds its old exoskeleton to grow.

    Tidal Retreat: Anemone’s Tentacles Withdraw as Waters Recede

    Our first ‘wow’ moment arrived with the discovery of a large hermit crab, snugly ensconced in the shell of a Noble Volute (Cymbiola nobilis). The sight initially sent a jolt of excitement through me, as I mistook the shell for that of the venomous cone snail, infamous for its harpoon-like shooting mechanism. Moments later, another guide brought us a live Noble Volute! It was the prettiest thing I have seen that day. This is a large carnivorous snail that used to be hunted for its beautiful shell and even its edible flesh.

    The colours and patterns on the Noble Volute change daily due to the pigment cells constantly infecting its neighbouring cells

    Our exploration led us to a fascinating discovery: Cake Sand Dollars (Arachnoides placenta). It was hard to believe these peculiar discs were living animals. Jerryl, our knowledgeable guide, turned this find into an engaging guessing game, challenging us to identify the top and bottom sides of these flat, clayey-looking creatures.

    After a few attempts, Jerryl revealed the secret: the top side typically displays a subtle ‘flower pattern’ and is slightly convex, while the bottom side prominently showcases the pentaradial symmetry characteristic of most echinoderms (a group including sea cucumbers, sea stars, and sea urchins).

    Jerryl’s sharing sparked my curiosity, leading me to further research. I learnt that the sand dollar’s unique disc-like shape is an evolutionary adaptation, optimised for efficiently consuming detritus on the ocean floor. It has tube feet on both surfaces to help breathe, navigate and feed.

    Anatomy Unveiled: The middle hole is its central mouth on its underside (oral side). Guess where is its anus? It is right at the 10-11’o clock position near the edge.
    The top side (also known as the petaloid) with the flower petal pattern.

    Written by Lucas

    Midway through our guided tour, a heavy downpour forced us to seek shelter, despite the absence of lightning risk. We prioritised the well-being of the many young children in our group, not wanting them to catch a cold. Fortunately, it was merely a passing shower, and as we resumed our walk around the intertidal zone, we were greeted with a beautiful rainbow as our backdrop. This natural spectacle added an extra layer of wonder to our already fascinating excursion.

    Police boat patrolling between Pulau Tekong and Changi against the colourful backdrop.

    As a plant enthusiast, I found myself drawn to the seagrasses, particularly a species resembling a cross between mimosa and fern – aptly named fern seagrass (Halophila spinulosa). Unlike seaweed, these are true flowering plants that produce fruits. They form a crucial ecosystem, serving as the primary habitat and food source for dugongs. I look forward to capturing photographs of these fascinating plants’ various features during my next solo intertidal walk.

    Fern seagrass with snails grazing on it.

    Our exploration revealed three more fascinating creatures exhibiting pentaradial symmetry: the thorny sea cucumber (Colochirus quadrangularis), the pink warty sea cucumber (Cercodemas anceps), and the plain sand star (Astropecten indicus). Both sea cucumber species display a remarkable feeding process, extending their vibrant tentacles from one end while expelling waste from their anus at the opposite end. In stark contrast, the sand star’s muted appearance likely aids in camouflage. This intriguing difference sparked curiosity about how the more flamboyant sea cucumbers manage to conceal themselves in this dynamic environment. Hmm… By aposematism?

    Thorny Sea Cucumber Often Mistaken for Its Pink Warty Cousin
    Pink Warty Sea Cucumber with its psychedelic looks
    In contrast, the plain looking Plain Sea Star

    Living organisms like sea pens and sea sponges serve as vibrant habitats for a diverse array of marine life. One of our guides made an exciting discovery: a Spiky Sea Pen hosting two Painted Porcelain Crabs (one of which is carrying a load of eggs), showcasing the intricate relationships within these miniature ecosystems. We also had the opportunity to examine what appeared to be a lifeless sea sponge, yet it was teeming with life, including a brittle star, snails and several tiny crabs. These encounters highlighted the complex interdependencies within marine communities and the importance of seemingly simple organisms in supporting biodiversity.

    A female Painted Porcelain Crab on a Spiky Sea Pen.
    Unidentified tiny crabs on the sea sponge.

    One of the most peculiar crustaceans I encountered, which evoked memories from the seashore life guidebook, was the Leaf Porter Crab (Family Dorippidae). This fascinating creature appears remarkably flat, including its pincers and legs. What makes it truly intriguing is its adaptive behavior: at night, it perches atop floating leaves, taking advantage of the darkness to evade predators from above. During daylight hours, it cleverly conceals itself beneath these same floating leaves, demonstrating a remarkable survival strategy in its marine habitat.

    “I surrender!” – This particular image appears to depict someone cornered against a wall.

    During our exploration, a participant noticed a worm-like creature in a small tidepool, prompting our guide to issue a stern warning against touching any such organisms. Although the guide didn’t identify the species, it bore a striking resemblance to a bristle worm. While this particular specimen appeared to have been decapitated, bristle worms are renowned for their remarkable regenerative abilities, often capable of regrowing body parts lost to predators – including, astonishingly, their heads!

    Bristle worms are traditionally used as bait for fishing.

    As we approached the canal area where our drainage system discharges, we encountered a vibrant ecosystem thriving on the walls. Algae, barnacles, and periwinkle snails adorned both sides. Jerryl, our guide, picked up some small black objects and offered to place them on our palms. Initially mistaking them for limpets, I was surprised to learn they were Onch Slugs (Family Onchidiidae), grazing on the algae. As one rested on my palm, it began leaving a trail of mucus and excrement while observing me with its distinctive elongated eyes, providing an unexpectedly intimate encounter with these fascinating intertidal creatures.

    Onch slugs that breathe air unlike nudibranch (sea slugs)

    As our guided walk neared its conclusion, we encountered a stunning carpet anemone, its vibrant green hue catching our eyes. Jerryl, our knowledgeable guide, encouraged us to gently touch its stinging tentacles, explaining that the subtle suction we felt was due to a small amount of toxin being released onto our skin. This fascinating experience piqued my curiosity about the various types of carpet anemones and the miniature marine life that might be dwelling among their tentacles.

    Apparently, a specific type of carpet anemone may have different kinds of colours

    Our excursion concluded with a spectacular sighting: a Spearer Mantis Shrimp (Family Squillidae), spotted by my friend. The creature’s striking appearance drew eager participants who were tempted to touch it. However, our vigilant guides swiftly intervened, warning against such interaction.

    Spearer Mantis Shrimp as opposed to the Smasher Mantis Shrimp

    The excursion concluded on a high note with a group photograph featuring MJ and her expert guides. As a delightful parting gift, MJ distributed cutesy, beautifully-illustrated stickers to all participants. These stickers depicted the various sea creatures we had encountered during our intertidal adventure, serving as both a memento and an educational tool to reinforce our newfound knowledge of the marine ecosystem.

    Thank you MJ Biogal and the guides for such an enriching intertidal walk.

    I am a huge fan too! ♥️

    Written by Lucas

  • Under the Mistletoe

    Under the Mistletoe

    As the holiday season approaches, many of us think of mistletoe as a festive decoration, often associated with winter countries, stolen kisses and Christmas cheer. However, what many don’t realise is that mistletoes are actually parasitic plants that grow on trees.

    In Singapore’s lush public parks, nature reserves or even our roadside trees, a unique ecosystem revolves around the native Malayan Mistletoe, creating a fascinating web of life that includes the vibrant Painted Jezebel butterfly and the charming Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker. I invite all nature lovers to stand under the mistletoe, where instead of a kiss, you might be rewarded with a plethora of living creatures flourishing above—a different kind of holiday magic.

    The Malayan Mistletoe: Our Local Parasite

    The word “parasite” often evokes fear and discomfort, conjuring images from popular culture that range from the grotesque to the terrifying. From the infamous chest-bursting xenomorphs in the 1980s sci-fi classic “Alien” to more recent documentaries showcasing fungi (cordyceps) zombify insects before dramatically erupting from their bodies, parasites have long captured our imagination in the most unsettling ways.

    Infamous ‘chestburster’ scene from Alien (1979)

    While our local Malayan Mistletoe (Dendrophthoe pentandra) might not win any beauty contests (in fact, they are considered the ‘messiest’ mistletoe of all in Singapore), it plays an important role in the ecosystem. As a parasitic plant, it is less like a scary invader and more like that one relative who shows up during Chinese New Year and proceeds to eat all your cookies and snacks. It might irk the tree, much like how that relative tests your patience, but most of the time, it doesn’t cause serious harm. However, just as too many hungry relatives can empty your pantry, too many mistletoes can overwhelm a tree. But don’t worry – our sturdy and mature Singapore trees can usually handle these freeloaders without too much fuss.

    Interestingly, while the holiday mistletoe we’re familiar with from Christmas cards has needle-like leaves, our Singapore mistletoes sport a different look. Most of our local species, including the Malayan Mistletoe, have thick, fleshy leaves.

    The haustoria (special roots) of one Malayan Mistletoe plant.

    The Malayan Mistletoe is what we call a hemiparasite. It’s like a part-time freeloader, getting some of its nutrients from the host tree while also making its own food through photosynthesis. It attaches to the tree’s branches using special roots called haustorium, which tap into the tree’s plumbing system for water and minerals. While a few mistletoes usually don’t cause much harm, a large number can slow the tree’s growth or even cause branches to die back.

    And here’s a fun twist—some unexpected guests, in the form of caterpillars, actually help keep the party under control. It’s nature’s way of balancing the books, ensuring that our leafy hosts don’t end up too stressed by their clingy mistletoe guests!

    The Painted Jezebel: Our Colorful Butterfly Friend

    Now, let me introduce you to one of the mistletoe’s most beautiful admirers—the Painted Jezebel butterfly (Delias hyparete metarete). The life cycle of this stunning creature is a sight to behold, right in our own backyard!

    The caterpillars start their journey as tiny 2mm creatures, growing to about 25mm while changing from light to dark orange. They’re social eaters, feeding in groups on the undersides of mistletoe leaves. If you look closely, you might see a row of little black heads munching away together. Their bright orange color isn’t just for show—it’s a warning to predators that they’re not a tasty snack. On top of that, by feeding at the undersides of leaves, they tend to avoid predation.

    Feeding ‘socially’ at underside of the Malayan Mistletoe leaf
    A closer view of the Painted Jezebel Caterpillar that fell from its host plant

    When these caterpillars grow up, they transform into spectacular butterflies. The Painted Jezebel’s wings are a work of art, showcasing a beautiful pattern of white, black, bright red, and vibrant yellow. But here’s the clever part—this beauty is actually a defense mechanism called aposematism. It’s nature’s way of saying, “Look how pretty I am, but don’t even think about eating me!”

    Painted Jezebel Butterfly

    It’s a perfect example of how nature works together—the mistletoe provides food and protection for the butterfly, and in return, the butterfly might help pollinate the mistletoe.

    The Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker: Our Tiny Tree Dweller

    A male Scarlet-Backed Flowerpecker foraging at the Malayan Mistletoe

    Completing our trio of mistletoe marvels is the Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum). This little bird, barely larger than your thumb, sports a brilliant red back that makes it a striking sight in our trees.

    A front view of the beautiful bird

    The Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker has a special relationship with our Malayan Mistletoe. It loves to snack on the mistletoe’s fruits, helping to spread the seeds in the process. When the bird’s droppings land on tree branches, they contain undigested seeds that can grow into new mistletoe plants.

    Other than the flowerpeckers, it is also common to see the Ornate Sunbirds (Cinnyris ornatus) or Brown-Throated Sunbirds (Anthreptes malacensis) feeding on the fruits of the mistletoes.

    Nature’s Relationships

    While the Malayan Mistletoe is the most common in our parks and gardens, Singapore is home to several other mistletoe species. Keep an eye out for the Rusty Mistletoe, the Oval-leaved Mistletoe, and the Common Chinese Mistletoe. Each of these plants plays a role in supporting our local wildlife, even as a parasite.

    Together, these species create a miniature ecosystem right above our heads, showcasing the interconnectedness of life. The mistletoe provides food and shelter, the butterfly helps with pollination, and the flowerpecker spreads the mistletoe to new trees. It’s a beautiful cycle of life happening in our very own green spaces.

    So, the next time you’re strolling through one of Singapore’s public parks or exploring our nature reserves, look up! You might spot a clump of mistletoe with its distinctive fleshy leaves, a flash of a Painted Jezebel’s wings, or hear the chirp of a Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker. Remember, our local mistletoe isn’t just for holiday kisses—it’s supporting a whole world of wildlife right here in our urban jungle. It’s a nature story written by evolution itself, filled with color, cooperation, and the cycle of life—truly a Singapore marvel worth celebrating.

    Merry Christmas!

    Written by Lucas

  • We are the birdbrains

    We are the birdbrains

    “Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” – Gary Snyder

    Our birdbrain logo embodies our journey as champions of mental wellness, our love for nature, and our commitment to nature-inspired innovation taking flight.

    The vertical line in the lowercase ‘b’ symbolises a tree trunk, representing growth, stability, and safety—both psychological and physical. Emerging from this trunk is a fledgling bird, symbolising curiosity and a readiness to face the world.

    ‘birdbrain’ was founded by Gabriel Kang and Lucas Teo, two nature enthusiasts based in Singapore. Gabriel, a professional photographer and avid birder since the age of 16, finds solace in nature and is often drawn to the silhouettes and calls of birds. His passion for birding has taken him on numerous trips across different parts of Malaysia, where he explores diverse ecosystems and captures the beauty of avian life through his lens. These experiences not only deepen his connection with nature but also inspire his advocacy for mental wellness.

    Lucas, with over 15 years of experience as a Geography teacher, is always amazed by the concept of ‘natural selection’ and has led numerous student groups to explore Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Pasir Ris Park and Pulau Ubin. Now an adult educator, trainer, and consultant, Lucas frequently draws on nature-related ideas to enrich his coaching and training work.

    Here at ‘birdbrain’, we’re not just dreaming of a better world – we’re rolling up our sleeves to create one. We believe in building a community where people and nature thrive together – one step at a time.