Birds of a Feather-Who? Sengkang’s Own Feathered Flash Mob
We all know the old saying “birds of a feather flock together,” but when you’re scrolling through social media, you’ll see it come to life in your feed. On October 1, a set of shimmering starlings did just that – a hypnotic 40‑second dance in the sky that sent a nearby Sengkang resident’s phone buzzing.
Spotlight on the Sky‑Dancers
Block 318A’s own resident, a quietly observant homeowner, snapped this viral masterpiece and handed it over to Shin Min Daily News. In less than a local minute, the clip went viral: 70 k+ views and a wardrobe of wonder, proving that pic‑sharing is more than just gathering likes – it’s a bird‑watching phenomenon.
Murmurations: When Birds Pull a Group Performance
- What you’re seeing isn’t just a casual casual fly‑by – it’s a murmuration: hundreds of birds synchronizing their wingbeats to create elaborate, wave‑like patterns. Think of it as The Avengers in the sky, but with more feathers.
- This turnout was 30 k to 50 k Daurian Starlings, the migratory crowd that arrives in Sept‑Oct to escape the chilly northern bites.
- Local experts claim the flock is a “mixed crew,” featuring the sly Asian Glossy Starling, which joins the sky‑show for extra flair.
Why the Huddle? Safe or Sound?
Alan Owyong (seasoned 75‑year‑old birdwatcher, 30 years of experience) says these evening performances happen just before the birds settle down to roost. Through group roosting near Sengkang’s leafy backyards, the starlings swap info, gossip, and maybe a few wing‑tips. Researchers claim it’s all about team safety:
- Predators like hawks and falcons are stuck for the whole group to dazzle.
- Older starlings might even wrestle with choo‑choo; younger ones can fall victim to owls, raccoons, rats and even the family cat.
So next time you hear those soft coos from your balcony, remember: the sky’s full of performers dancing in unison, fluttering tips of wings and doing their best to stay safe, all while making you look at the clouds in a whole new way. Keep an eye out – the next episode might be just a beat or a blip away.
