Sri Lanka's Avian Wonders: A Bird Watching Paradise

Sri Lanka is a paradise for bird watchers worldwide, with its abundant evergreen tropical vegetation hosting a diverse avian population. Bird-watching in this lush environment is a must for nature enthusiasts, offering a unique experience for observation and appreciation. As a resident in the Sri Lankan wilderness, I am privileged to interact closely with a myriad of resident and migrant birds that grace my garden daily. My passion for bird watching extends to my art, allowing me to create lifelike paintings and drawings inspired by these feathered wonders. With over 400 recorded bird species in Sri Lanka, enthusiasts can categorize them into residents and migrants, each offering a fascinating glimpse into the country's avian biodiversity. Endemic species, totaling 34, enrich the bird-watching experience, showcasing the unique beauty of Sri Lanka's birdlife.

List of Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka dull-blue flycatcher is a small bird belonging to the flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. This species is an endemic resident breeder that can be seen in the hills of Central Sri Lanka. As a frequent visitor to my garden, its dull blue plumage and distinctive features make it a delightful sight to behold. The elegant flight and melodious chirps of this charming bird add a touch of natural beauty to the surroundings, creating a sense of tranquility and connection to the rich biodiversity of Sri Lanka. Witnessing the dull blue flycatcher in its natural habitat is a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts to protect these unique and precious species for future generations to enjoy.

Migrants: There are about 160 species which visit us in their winter season except one or two come in the summer to breed here. They arrive in September to October and leave for their habitats by April to May.

The brown fish owl, Ketupa Zeylonesis, is a stunning resident bird found in forests and wooded wetlands in Sri Lanka. My acrylic painting titled Golden Eyes beautifully captures the essence of this large but intermediate in size owl, which is a subspecies unique to Sri Lanka. Belonging to the typical owl family, Strigidae, the brown fish owl is a majestic creature with its striking features and captivating gaze. Encountering this owl in its natural habitat is a truly mesmerizing experience, as it symbolizes the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of Sri Lanka's wilderness.

About 80 species of birds can still be found thriving in crowded cities like Colombo, Sri Lanka's main hub. Despite the urban environment, many places in the country offer a unique attraction for birdwatchers. From the colorful peacocks strutting through parklands to the melodious songs of the tropical bird species, there is a diverse range of avian wildlife to be discovered in the midst of the bustling city life. Exploring the nooks and crannies of these cities can unveil a surprising array of feathered beauties, adding a touch of nature's wonder to the urban landscape. Sri Lanka's birdlife is a testament to the coexistence of natural beauty amidst bustling cityscapes..

Adam's Bridge is a favourable wintering ground for a huge number of waterfowl and also a breeding

ground for resident water birds.

The following are breeding grounds for the majority of resident birds

Kumana Sanctuary Eastern Province

Lahugala Sacturay Eastern Province

Wirawila tank Southern Province

Chundikulam Northern Province

Ulankulam North-Central

Province

Wlpattu National Park

Yala National Park

The Fishing Crane in Sri Lanka, which I spotted at Wilpattu National Park, is a magnificent water bird belonging to the heron family, Ardeidae. With its long legs and stunning shading feathers, it is a sight to behold in its natural habitat. This species is native to temperate Europe and Asia, as well as parts of Africa, showcasing its adaptability to diverse environments. Observing this graceful creature in action while fishing is truly a memorable experience, highlighting the beauty of Sri Lanka's wildlife and biodiversity.

Some birds reside in confined areas ranging from a few square kilometers to larger areas in some of the provinces. Following birds can be seen only in the Northern Province.

1. The Indian Ring Dove

2. The Ceylon Grey Partridge

3. The Rufous-Backed Shrike

4. The Ceylon Black Drongo

5. The Ceylon Golden-Backed Woodpecker

6. The Indian Courser

The Ceylon Black Drongo and The Ceylon Golden-Backed Woodpecker have extended their

territory southwards almost reaching the boundaries of the Wilpattu National Park

The Indian Courser has so far confined to its habitat to the coastal belt between Mannar

and Pooneryn in Sri Lanka

Birds that can be seen only in the hill country from an elevation of 3000 to 6000 feet.

· Lady Torrington’s Pigeon (The Ceylon Wood Pigeon)

· The Yellow-Eared Bulbul

· The Ceylon Blackbird

· The Ceylon Hill White-Eye

· The spotted –winged Thrush

· Pied ground Thrush

· The Ceylon Pied Bush Chat

Birds that can be seen in the Hills of Sabaragamuwa Province

· The Ceylon Blue Magpie

· The Ceylon Hill Mynah (Ceylon Grackle)

· The Ceylon Crested Drongo

· The White-Headed Starling

· Layards Flowerpecker

· The Ceylon Painted Partridge ( a game bird) : It was found in large numbers in the hill country and

the foot-hills of Uva Province many years ago but now confined to the Uva foot-hill patanas in the

Nilgala area

Common Birds

· The Ceylon Black-Headed Oriole

This resident bird is strikingly beautiful and moves in pairs. Found often in one’s garden even

in the city

· The Indian Roller (The Blue Jay)

Can be seen in city gardens and parks usually perch on a statue or post

· The Rose-Ringed Parakeet

Commonest among the parakeets and can be seen in pairs

· The Ceylon Lorikeet

Little colourful bird which visits gardens and hangs on branches like a squirrel with head

downwards to feed on fruits

· Barbets

There are four species of Barbets of which two

can be seen in Colombo. They are the Crimson

Breasted Barbet (Copper-smith) and the Brown-

Headed Barbet (the largest of them)

The yellow-fronted barbet in my painting is an Asian barbet found in Sri Lanka. This endemic resident breeder can be spotted in subtropical and tropical moist forests, wetlands, plantations, and rural gardens up to an altitude of 2,000 meters. Known as "mukalang kottoruwa" locally, this vibrant bird with its yellow front adds a splash of color to its surroundings. With its distinctive call and striking appearance, it is a favorite among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts exploring the rich biodiversity of Sri Lanka. The yellow-fronted barbet's presence in the island's diverse habitats highlights the importance of preserving its natural environment for future generations to enjoy.

This bird is known as mukalang kottoruwa - මූකලන් කොට්ටෝරුවා in Sri Lanka

· Sun Birds

There are three species of Sunbirds. They are the most common garden birds and they build

pendulous nests on trees like bougainvillaea

Purple Sunbird

The Purple Rumped

Lotens

· Fruit Suckers (Chloropsises)

These colourful birds are caged in other countries

· Bee-eaters

-Residents Viz, the common Ceylon Green Bee-Eater

The Chestnut-Headed Bee-Eater

-Migrant

The Blue-Tailed Bee-Eater Largest of the three. Breed on the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka thus appearing to become a

resident

· The Indian Pitta

Also called 6 O’clock bird as it sings at six in the morning and evening

· Kingfishers: There are seven species recorded in Sri Lanka The Black Capped Purple Kingfisher - A rare migrant

The Ceylon Blue-Eared Kingfisher - A rare resident

White-Breasted Kingfisher - Commonest of all

Stork-Billed Kingfisher - Largest of the resident species-

The Pied Kingfisher

· Song Birds

Shama

It’s called the prince of songsters. It is known as one of the best songsters in the world

Can be seen in the dry zone. It sings in the early mornings and late evenings

Magpie Robin

It is the cousin of Shama and sings in the early mornings and late evenings. Its song can

be heard after rains at any time of the day and also during the breeding season and can

go on singing for hours at a time

The White-Billed Drongo

It mimics other birds and mammals such as cat

The Indian and Ceylon

They have a sweet whistle

Paradise Flycatchers

It has a soft whistle of few notes repeated continuously throughout the day

The Ceylon Orange-Breasted Blue Flycatcher

It flies while singing. Its song can be heard but can’t be seen often

The Sky Lark

It calls persistently when disturbed by humans or animals

Lapwing (Did-he-do-it): There are two species

Red-Wattled

Yellow-Wattled

Indian Koel

It has a rolling whistle consisting of two notes

Ceylon Iora

It has a soft melodious whistle.

Birds which build interesting nests:

· Weaver Bird: Two Species

Tailor

It's name comes from its nesting habits. It selects a suitable leaf and pierces a row of holes

along each edge using his beak. This nest is built of vegetable cotton & fine grasses.

Baya

Males build retort-shaped pendant nests on tall trees by the bank on a tank or border of a

paddy field.

If you’re interested in bird-watching to refresh your mind and spirit, plan your next vacation to visit Sri Lanka. This beautiful island nation is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, boasting a diverse range of bird species in stunning natural habitats. Spend your days in lush forests and serene wetlands, learning to identify more birds and marveling at the wonders of nature. From colorful kingfishers to majestic eagles, Sri Lanka is a treasure trove of avian delights waiting to be discovered. So pack your binoculars, grab your camera, and get ready for a truly unforgettable bird-watching experience in Sri Lanka!