An elderly man living in Ang Mo Kio has sparked complaints from neighbours after repeatedly scattering rice along the corridor outside his flat to feed birds. His actions have drawn flocks of pigeons and sparrows, leading to mess, noise, and even resale difficulties for other residents.
The man, who lives alone, reportedly feeds the birds several times a day, leaving grains of rice outside his unit that attract dozens of birds at a time. Beyond cleanliness concerns, neighbours say the situation has made it harder for them to sell their HDB units.
Rice Scattered Along Corridor, Bird Droppings Pile Up
Photos circulating on social media and community forums show rice strewn across a narrow corridor, with birds feasting freely. A long-time resident surnamed Raman told reporters that the man’s bird-feeding routine has become a daily nuisance.
“It’s dirty. The birds leave droppings everywhere. I clean the corridor twice a day but it still comes back,” he lamented, adding that some prospective buyers of his flat were turned off by the unsightly conditions.
Besides attracting birds, the elderly resident also allegedly hoards large amounts of clutter, further worsening the problem. During a recent media visit, items like bicycles, chairs, baskets and even potted plants were seen lining the corridor.
Man Denies Feeding Birds, Insists Corridor is Public Space
When approached by the media, the man insisted he was not feeding birds and that the corridor was public property. He reportedly refused help from neighbours who offered to clear the mess and remove the hoarded items.
Another neighbour, Mr Chen, said the clutter outside the unit has been building up over the years, posing a serious fire risk. “I offered twice to help him clear it, but he told me off. He said I got no right,” said Mr Chen.
Authorities Step In, Corridor Cleaned by Town Council
The Ang Mo Kio Town Council confirmed it had deployed a conservancy team to clean the affected corridor after receiving public feedback on 7 July. It has also referred the bird-feeding issue to the National Parks Board (NParks) for further action.
A spokesperson from the Town Council added that their property team had engaged with the resident and helped remove some of the items to comply with fire safety regulations, which mandate a 1.2-metre clearance space.
Officials say they are monitoring the situation and will continue to follow up if necessary. However, frustrated neighbours worry that enforcement alone may not be enough to resolve the long-standing nuisance.
Living With Public Nuisance a Common Urban Issue
This incident reflects a broader challenge in high-density urban housing — how to balance individual freedom with communal living standards. Bird-feeding, hoarding, and corridor obstruction are not uncommon complaints in Singapore HDB estates.
While such behaviour may stem from loneliness or personal habits, they can have serious knock-on effects on neighbours’ quality of life and property value. As Singapore’s population ages, similar disputes may become more frequent — underlining the need for a compassionate but firm approach from both authorities and communities.