The Urban Birds of XMUM Campus

2025-07-16

Birdwatching on Campus

Slightly less than two years ago, I was taking a class on environmental biology when the topic of brood parasitism came up. The textbook example of cuckoos and their strategic manipulation of wrens and warblers into caring for their young came up, and wanting to contribute to class discussions, I remarked that a case closer to home would be that of the Asian Koel and their brood parasitism of House Crows.

I pulled up a blurry photo from Google Images. The male Asian Koel, midnight blue with striking eyes the colour of fresh blood, could be mistaken for a House Crow if one had only a vague impression to go off of. "Interesting," said my lecturer, trying to get a closer look at the photo. "I've never seen these birds before."

"We have them on campus," I said, lazily sinking into my seat and tucking my phone away.

His eyes sparkled behind his glasses. "You know, I've been meaning to document the different bird species on campus for a few years now, but I haven't found any students willing to help. Would you be interested?"

And I thought to myself - Yeah, why the hell not?

...

When I first started the project, my lecturer had imagined it to be a collaborative effort. He was hoping to get a few birdwatchers on board, to inspire a generation of jaded college kids to pay attention to the life that surrounds them. This would prove to be difficult, as I spent a good chunk of time asking people if they wanted to be involved in the project, only to be turned down or left on read. There is nothing more persistent than a college student's inertia.

I continued to document, listing down the different bird species I could find on campus. There were the usuals - the European tree sparrow, house crows, mynas and magpie-robins alike, but I also found some bird species less commonly seen, such as the Asian pied starling, paddyfield pipit and scaly-breasted munia. Birdwatching is never really just about the birds, it's about learning to be aware of one's surroundings, to appreciate the biodiversity in your everyday life, to pay attention to what is happening in the environment.

As I continued on my own, compiling a spreadsheet of my observations, I began to wonder why our generation has become so indifferent to the domesticated nature around us.

(To be added)