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Dollarbird
Eurystomus orientalis
Eastern/Broad-billed Roller, Tiong Batu (Malay)

Dollarbirds got their name from the two silvery white circular patches on each underwing, that flash as they fly. These look like shining American silver dollar coins.

Dollarbirds eat mainly insects, and appear particularly fond of hard-skinned flying insects like beetles. But they will take any large insect or even feed on swarming insects. They also catch other small animals.

Dollarbirds are aerial feeders. Like other Rollers, they are flying acrobats, wheeling and swooping about. They catch insects on the wing, with their short flat bills that are broad at the base. But they may also take insects and lizards from on the ground. Large insects are brought back to the perch, to be beaten to death and to knock off less edible bits like hard wing cases.

Feeding alone or in pairs, Dollarbirds are frequently seen perching on high vantage points like dead trees or telephone wires, keeping a lookout for a passing titbit.
Mangrove and wetland wildlife at
Sungei Buloh Nature Park
Main features: Medium (30cm), appears blackish in poor light; but upon closer inspection: blue-green plumage; brownish head; blackish cap; blackish upper tail and flight feathers; bill large, stubby, orange; feet red; iris yellow.

Juvenile: Bill brown, duller, "dollar" not so well-defined.

Call: Described as a harsh single kack at rest and in flight. Sometimes 3-5 loud kack-kak-kak or kek-ek-ek. Two birds sitting side-by-side sometimes clatter away like castanets.

In flight: Large, blue-tinged white patch at the base of primaries. Rolling flight with deep flapping.
dollarbird on a perch

dollarbird in flight showing white spots All photos from
Morten Strange
Similar birds: In flight, they look like Nightjars. But Nightjars are less acrobatic.

Status in Singapore: Common resident and winter visitor throughout the island and North and South offshore islands.

World distribution: East Asia, Southeast Asia and Australasia.

Classification: Family Coraciidae. World 12 species, Singapore 1 species.
They feed in the cooler afternoon and evening. During away during the hottest part of the day, they may hide away or simply remain motionless on their favourite perch.

Breeding: Dollarbirds breed in Singapore. The courtship flight display includes steep dives and rolls, accompanied by a low rapid croaking. They nest in hollow trees including dead coconut palms or dig out burrows in earth banks; good nest sites are re-used every year. 3-4 white eggs are laid; the eggs are rather pointed at one end. Both parents incubate and raise the young. Incubation takes 17-20 days and the chicks fledge in about a month.

Migration: Some Dollarbirds that breed in China and Japan visit Singapore in April-May. The adults leave the breeding area first, the young following later. They don't migrate in huge flocks, but travel in two's or even alone, usually during the day. In Singapore, Dollarbirds are found in mangroves, open country, scrub and forest edges and cultivated lands.

Status and threats: Dollarbirds are common and widespread in Singapore and not considered at risk.

REFERENCES
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Nature's Niche
  • Morten Strange, "A Photographic Guide to Birds of Malaysia and Singapore: including Southeast Asia, the Philippines and Borneo", Periplus, 2000 (p. 188: description, voice, habits, distribution, status, photo).
  • Lim Kim Seng, "Pocket Checklist of the Birds of the Republic of Singapore", Nature Society (Singapore), 1999 (Abundance, status, Chinese and Malay names).
  • Morten Strange, "Birds of Southeast Asia: A photographic guide to the birds of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia", New Holland, 1998 (p. 47: photo, facts).
  • Lim Kim Seng and Dana Gardner, "Birds: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Birds of Singapore", Sun Tree Publishing Ltd., 1997 (p. 30-31: identification, status in Singapore, distribution, diagram, number of species).
  • Morten Strange and Allen Jeyarajasingam, "Birds: A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore", Sun Tree, 1993 (p. 86: description, distribution, habits, habitat, photo).
  • Christopher Hails, "Birds of Singapore" illustrated by Frank Jarvis, Times Editions, 1987 reprinted 1995 (p.108: habits, description, status in Singapore, and lovely drawings of the birds).
  • Lim Kim Seng, "Vanishing Birds of Singapore", Nature Society (Singapore), 1992 (p. 11: status in Singapore).
  • G C Madoc, "An Introduction to Malayan Birds", Malayan Nature Society, 1947 (p. 102-103: description, habits, habitat).
  • Sir John A S Bucknill and E N Chasen, "Birds of Singapore and South-East Asia", Tynron Press, 1927, edition 1990 (p. 127-128: identification, status in Singapore, distribution, field notes on habits, drawings).
  • C Hillary Fry and Kathie Fry, "Kingfishers, Bee-Eaters and Rollers: A Handbook", Christopher Helm, 1992 (p. 137-9: identification, habitat, habits).
  • Dr. Harold G Cogger (et. al), "Encyclopedia of Animals"; Kingfishers and their Allies by Joseph Forshaw and Alan Kemp, Weldon Owen, 1993 (p. 364-366: habits).
 
By Ria Tan, 2001