Whoop‑Yeah! A Himalayan Vulture Stuns at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Picture this: you’re strolling through the lush Singapore Botanic Gardens on a chilly December day, and out of the blue—ZOOM—appears a gigantic bird that looks like it straight out of a fantasy movie. That’s exactly what happened when John Lee, a wildlife enthusiast and founder of Wildlife Asia, spotted a Himalayan vulture. He was so over the moment that he called up his pals for the full scoop. The buzz? A “super rare” migrant had landed in the City of a Thousand Gardens!
Meet the Himalayan Griffon
- Species: Gyps himalayensis (a.k.a. Himalayan griffon vulture)
- Status: Near Threatened, according to the IUCN Red List
- Size: Wingspan about 9‑10 feet (roughly 3.1 meters) – larger than the height of an average HDB flat!
- Weight: Ranges from 8 kg to 12 kg (think of a big, feathery pizza)
- Look: White head, neck, and a bright yellow bill; big, broad wings; short tail; brown body with wispy white streaks; black flight feathers
- Home: Central Asia’s highlands – from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, all the way to the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas
- Feathers: Thick, armored fluff to keep it warm during those harsh winters
What Does It Do?
As every carrion‑loving vulture knows, this bird’s main menu is literally a salad of dead animals. It’s been spotted grunting and hissing when roosting or feeding—typical diva behavior for a bird that knows its value.
Past Sightings in Singapore
While there isn’t a huge database of vulture visits, some enthusiasts logged a few encounters. The latest one, however, blew everyone’s minds—especially when John himself went down to check it out in person.
John’s Takeaway
“For someone like me who’s obsessed with wildlife, seeing that huge bird in my own backyard feels like finding a hidden treasure,” John told Stomp. “It’s pure exhilaration and almost feels like a holy grail moment.”
So if you’re walking around Botanic Gardens, keep your eyes peeled: you never know when a colossal, feathered legend might swoop in for a visit.
