Written answer by Ministry of National Development on urban crow population management

Nov 22, 2023

Question No: 5195

Question by: Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin

To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what strategies are being considered to manage the urban bird population, especially that of crows; and (b) whether there are considerations on issues such as locations and the number of trees that are planted in neighbourhoods behind strategies to discourage the roosting of birds.

Answer:

NParks adopts a science and community-based approach to managing Singapore’s population of pest birds, including crows. This comprises measures such as food source reduction, habitat modification, and population control.

2        As bird-feeding and human-generated food sources are key drivers of pest bird population growth, NParks works with SFA, NEA, and Town Councils (TCs) to raise public awareness on the negative impacts of bird-feeding. NParks also conducts surveillance and enforcement against such acts, and partners agencies and TCs to encourage proper food waste management by residents and food establishments.

3        In addition, NParks works closely with stakeholders, including TCs and the industry, to conduct population control for pest birds in a sustainable and humane manner. For example, NParks conducts regular surveys of crow nests in estates and advises TCs to remove them, where relevant. The trapping and removal of crows are carried out humanely, in line with international standards.

4        NParks also shares best practices and guidelines to support TCs’ greenery management efforts in HDB estates. For example, to reduce bird-related disamenities to residents, TCs are advised to prune trees to discourage roosting, or to plant tree species that are less attractive to birds such as mynas and crows. This is informed by NParks’ studies to understand the ecology of birds, including their roosting patterns and movements.

5        NParks will continue to regularly review its measures to manage the pest bird population and mitigate disamenities to residents. All of us can also play our part, by not feeding pest birds and keeping our environment clean.