ENDEMIC BIRDS

 
1. Sri Lanka Spur Fowl
 

 
English Name: - Sri Lanka Spur Fowl
Sinhala Name: - Haban Kukula
Scientific Name: - Galloperdix bicalcarata

The Sri Lanka Spur fowl, Galloperdix

bicalcarata, is a member of the pheasant family
which is endemic to the dense rainforests of Sri
Lanka. It is a very secretive bird, and despite
its size is difficult to see as it slips through
dense undergrowth.
 
The legs are red. The adult male has scaly
black and white under parts and head. There is
also extensive white spotting on the brown
wings and upper back. The legs have two long
spurs, which give rise to the specific name. The
female has chestnut under parts and a plain
brown back and wings.
Like most of the pheasant family, Sri Lanka
Spur fowl is a terrestrial species. It scratches
vigorously amongst the leaf litter of the forest
floor for various seeds, fallen fruit and insects.
 
2.Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl
 

 
English Name: - Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl
Sinhala Name: - Lanka Wali Kukula
Scientific Name: - Gallus lafayetii
 
The Sri Lankan Jungle fowl (Gallus lafayetii),
also known during the colonial era as the
Ceylon Jungle fowl, is a member of the
pheasant family which is endemic to Sri Lanka,
where it is the national bird As with other
jungle fowl, the Sri Lankan Jungle fowl is
strongly sexually dimorphic: the male is much
larger than the female, with more vivid
plumage and a highly exaggerated wattle and
comb.
The male Sri Lankan Jungle fowl ranges from
66–73 cm (26–29 in) in length and 790–1,140
g (1.7–2.5 lb) in weight, essentially resembling
a large, muscular rooster. The male has orange-
red body plumage, and dark purple to black
wings and tail. The feathers of the main
descending from head to base of spine are
golden, and the face has bare red skin and
wattles. The comb is red with a yellow centre.
The female is much smaller, at only 35 cm (14
in) in length and 510–645 g (1.1–1.42 lb) in
weight, with dull brown plumage with white
patterning on the lower belly and breast, ideal
camouflage for a nesting bird. Sri Lanka Jungle
fowl is a terrestrial species. It spends most of
its time foraging for food by scratching the
ground for various seeds, fallen fruit and
insects.It is a ground nesting bird, and lays 2-4
eggs in a nest. Similar to many members of the
pheasant family, the colourful male plays no
part in the incubation of the eggs or rearing.
These duties are performed by the drab and
well-camouflaged female. It is common in
forest and scrub habitats, and is commonly
spotted at sites such as Kithulgala, Yala and
Sinharaja.
 
3.Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon
 

 
 
English Name: - Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon
Sinhala Name: - Sri Lanka Maila-goya
Scientific Name: - Columba torringtoni
 
The Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon is the size of the
domestic pigeon, but with a long tail. Sexes are
alike. Young birds are duller, and have only a
trace of the black and white 'chess board' patch
on the side of the neck.
Exclusively a forest dweller, it lives in pairs
though small flocks will form where food is
abundant. It is strictly arboreal, feeding on a
variety of small jungle fruits and berries,
among which the fruits of the wild cinnamon
are much liked.
The breeding season is from February to May,
and again from August to October. The nest is
the usual pigeon-type, scanty platform of
twigs; it is placed among foliage and branches
in the canopy of a forest tree, or in the top of a
tall sapling, usually at height of fifteen to
twenty feet. The single, white egg measures
about 38.5 X 28.2 mm.
This handsome pigeon is confined to the hill
forests of Sri Lanka, though it has a close
relation (the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon), of very
similar appearance and habits, in the hills of
South India. It s normal range is from 3,000
feet upwards to the highest elevations, but it
wanders about a great deal and sometimes
descends as low as 1000 feet in the damp
forests of the wet zone.

4.Pompadour Green Pigeon

 
 
English Name: - Pompadour Green Pigeon
Sinhala Name: – Pita-rathu Batagoya
Scientific Name: - Treron pompadora
 
The Pompadour Green Pigeon is a stocky,
medium- sized pigeon, 25 to 28 centimeters
(9.8 to 11 in) in length, with some subspecies
significantly larger than others (e.g.,
chloropterus is significantly larger than the
subspecies from the Asian mainland). The head
is green to greenish-yellow, and the under parts
are green, though males of the subspecies
phayrei have a pale orange patch on the chest.
The crown, including the forehead is grey,
except in the nominate subspecies where the
forehead is greenish-yellow. The under tail
coverts are mainly whitish or pale yellowish,
though they are deep cinnamon in males of
affinis and phayrei. The wings are blackish
with distinct yellow edging to the wing coverts
and tertials. The mantle is dark green in the
female and deep purplish-chestnut in the male.
In most subspecies, this includes the
"shoulder", but in males of aromaticus the
"shoulder" is very dark grey and in males of
chloropterus it is green. Furthermore, males of
aromaticus and some members of the axillaris
group have a grey band above the mantle.
The legs are reddish in most subspecies, but
grey in the axillaris group. The eyes are
maroon-red or deep to very light blue (depends
on subspecies), and the bill is whitish-grey
with a dull, pale greenish or bluish base, except
in the axillaris group where the base is red.
 
5. Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot
 

   

 
English Name: - Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot
Sinhala Name: - Lanka Giramaliththa
Scientific Name: - Loriculus beryllinus
 
The Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot known as
Ceylon Lorikeet also (Loriculus beryllinus) is a
small parrot which is a resident endemic
breeder in Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, this bird is
called Gira Maliththa in Sinhala Language.
The Ceylon Lorikeet is the smallest member of
Sri Lanka's parrot family. This sparrow sized
bird is predominantly green with bright red on
the forehead and crown which turns into a
golden orange on the nape and hind neck
before blending into the green of the mantle.
The rump and upper tail coverts are a bright
scarlet. The brilliancy of this bird's plumage is
further enhanced by its blue under wing and
tail. The male bird's chin shows a prominent
blue which is somewhat lacking in the female,
her overall plumage being duller. Young are
mostly green all over while very young birds
are sparsely plumaged on the head and neck,
possibly an adaptation to the nature of food
they are fed on.
The Lorikeet is well distributed in the island up
to about 1200 metres elevation though it occurs
rather sparingly in the dry zone, mostly in the
foothills. It prefers well wooded habitat
including forest but frequently visits orchards
and fruit bearing gardens as well. It feeds on
nectar and juicy fruit, in search of which it
scrambles along branches with great agility.
The Lorikeet is said to have a great affinity for
the nectar of the talipot palm. The flight is
swift and dashing, the birds often flying quite
high. The flight is undulating and the bird
utters a three syllable 'tchi, tchi, tchi' call while
flying. This call is uttered while foraging too
but the bird is so well camouflaged in spite of
its bright plumage that it is often difficult to
spot while thus engaged. The bird roosts by
hanging upside down - bat wise.
The breeding season is from January to August
but mainly during the period from March to
May. It lays its eggs in a natural tree hole often
at some height from ground level. Henry says
the female carries strips of leaves etc to line the
nest by pushing them into her voluminous
rump feathers. However it is difficult to see
how this can be done without these falling off
while the bird is flying. Usually two white
eggs, quite circular in shape are laid.  
 
6. Layard’s Parakeet
 

   

 
English Name: - Layard’s Parakeet
Sinhala Name: - Lanka Alu Girawa
Scientific Name: - Psittacula calthropae
 
The Layard's Parakeet (Psittacula calthropae) is
a parrot which is a resident endemic breeder in
Sri Lanka. Common name of this bird
commemorates the British naturalist Edgar
Leopold Layard; his first wife, Barbara Anne
Calthrop, whom he married in 1845, is
commemorated in the specific epithet.
Smaller than a Common Mynah, but with a
longer tail, this lovely parakeet is easily
recognized by its lavender-grey head and
mantle, broad emerald green collar and deep
cobalt blue tail. The male has a scarlet red beak
while that of the female is black. Young of
both sexes are green all over with a darker
head. Their beaks are orange-red in colour
initially.
The Layard’s Parakeet is a bird of forest and
well wooded areas. It is not uncommon in
suitable habitat in the wet low country and the
hills up to about 1700 metres. It is rather local
in the dry zone but occurs in forested areas
such as Ritigala and Wasgomuwa National
Park and the eastern foothills. The species
generally keeps to the upper and mid storey
levels of foliage and is rarely destructive to
paddy like the other parakeets. It moves about
in pairs or small flocks. The call is a harsh kee-
kee-kee, rather overpowering when heard at
close quarters. In flight, an aak, ak-ak call is
often uttered. This call combined with the
presence of a shorter tail than the other
parakeets’ makes it easy to identify in flight.
The bird is very adept at flying at high speed
between trees avoiding them. The food consists
of fruit, seed, buds and other leafy matter. The
plumage camouflages the bird so much that a
whole flock may be feeding in a well foliaged
tree unnoticed until calls are uttered.
The breeding season is from about January to
May with a secondary season from July to
September. The eggs are laid in a natural
cavity or a disused nest of a barbet or
woodpecker, generally high up in a tree. Two
to three white eggs are laid. Both sexes share
incubation duties and feed the young.  

 
7.Sri Lanka Green-billed Coucal
 

   

 
English Name: - Sri Lanka Green-billed
Coucal
Sinhala Name: - Lanka Bata Ati-kukula
Scientific Name: - Centropus chlororhynchos
 
The Green-billed Coucal, Centropus
chlororhynchos, is a member of the cuckoo
order of birds It is endemic to Sri Lanka. The
Green-billed Coucal is a rare and shy species
of the tall rainforests of southwest Sri Lanka. It
nests in a bush, and the typical clutch is 2-3
eggs.
This is a large species at 43 cm. Its head and
body are purple-black, the wings are maroon
above and black below, and the long tail is
dark green. The bill is a distinctive light green.
Sexes are similar, but juveniles are duller and
streaked.
The Green-billed Coucal takes a wide range of
insects, caterpillars and small vertebrates, but
snails are a favourite. It occasionally eats other
food items.
This species is somewhat smaller and less
contrasted than the widespread Greater Coucal.
Despite its size and distinctive call, this is a
difficult species to see because of the dense
habitat in which it lives and its retiring nature.
This Coucal has a small and declining
population as a result of the forest destruction.
 
8.Red Faced Mal Koha
 

   

 
English Name: - Red Faced Mal Koha
Sinhala Name: - Watha Rathu Mal Koha
Scientific Name: - Phaenicophaeus
pyrrhocephalus
 
The Red-faced Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus
pyrrhocephalus, is a member of the cuckoo
order. This Malkoha species is endemic to Sri
Lanka. This is a large species at 46 cm with a
long graduated tail. Its back is dark green, and
the upper tail is green edged with white. The
belly and under tail are white, the latter being
barred black. The crown and throat are black,
and the lower face white. There is a large red
patch around the eye and the bill is green.
Sexes are similar, but juveniles are much
duller.
The Red-faced Malkoha takes a variety of
insects including caterpillars, giant stick
insects, mantises and small vertebrates such as
lizard. It occasionally may eat berries but this
needs confirmation. Unlike most cuckoos, this
is a quiet species, making only the odd soft
grunt
It is endemic to Sri Lanka although some old
records have apparently erroneously referred to
its presence in southern India. According to
Baker (1934), it is found in the 'South of
Travancore, where it was obtained by Stewart
together with its nests'. Later, Biddulph
reported a Red-faced Malkoha in Madurai
district, southern Tamil Nadu. Thilo Hoffmann
later pointed out that this record would not
stand up to a modern records committee, and it
is now best disregarded.

The presence of Red-faced Malkoha in the

island is largely confined to the Sinharaja
Forest Reserve and the surrounding vegetation,
which is one of the biodiversity hotspots in the
world. The Red-faced Malkoha is a bird of
dense forests, where it can be difficult to see
despite its size and colour. It nests in a tree, the
typical clutch being 2-3 eggs. They are found
in nearly half of the mixed-species foraging
flocks in the Sinharaja area.

 
9.Serendib Scops Owl
 

   

 
English Name: - Serendib Scops Owl
Sinhala Name: – Panduwan Bassa
Scientific Name: - Otus thilohoffmanni
 
The Serendib Scops Owl; Otus thilohoffmanni
is the most recently discovered bird of Sri
Lanka. The astonishing discovery of this tiny
owl in 2001 in the southern rain forests of Sri
Lanka stunned biologists around the world,
representing the first new bird species to be
identified in the country since 1868.
Ornithologist Deepal Warakagoda initially
located the Serendib Scops-owl in 1995 by its
unfamiliar call, but it took a further six years of
tracking this elusive and mysterious bird to
eventually sight and photographs it. Thus, in
2001 it was confirmed that the owl appeared
strikingly different from any other on the
island or, indeed, anywhere in South Asia. It is
the first new bird to be discovered in Sri Lanka
since 1868, when the Sri Lanka (then Ceylon)
Whistling Thrush Myophonus blighi was
discovered. It is also the 27th endemic bird
species for Sri Lanka.
The new species is a small Scops owl about 17
cm in length, with a short tail, and almost
uniformly rufescens upperparts but for the
presence of small black spots all over the body.
The face is a little darker, and under parts paler
than upperparts, with the belly becoming
whitish. It has no distinct, “true” ear-tufts. The
irides are orange-yellow in the male and
yellow in the female and juvenile. The beak,
legs and claws are whitish. The legs are
feathered on the tibia and upper tarsi. The
vocalisation comprises a single note, pu’u’u,
repeated at long intervals. Male and the female
calls in the same pattern but in different keys.
At the time of the type description we knew
that birds of a pair roosted fairly close together
or well apart within their territory. Later we
learnt that in some pairs the birds roost
together or very close. A fledgling has been
observed roosting with an adult male. Roosting
height varies from about 1 to 2.5 m. A well-
concealed place is chosen in dense vegetation
in the undergrowth or just above it. Here the
bird sits on an almost or entirely horizontal
twig, usually close to dead leaves. Its size,
shape and coloration blend it in perfectly with
the surroundings, making it hard to detect.
When an owl is in “alert mode” at its daytime
roost, in reaction to possible danger in the
vicinity, it quickly adopts a stance which
disguises it as a short, upright, broken branch.
It tightens body feathers, which are otherwise
loose and relaxed, to acquire a narrower
appearance. At the same time it adjusts the
feathers of the facial disk, forehead and crown
to give the appearance of the top of such a
branch. This latter arrangement is adopted also
by species of owl which have two obvious,
separate ear-tufts, which are erected to enhance
this effect.
The Serendib Scops Owl, which does not
possess ear-tufts, achieves a similar effect by
compressing and flattening feathers on the
forehead, fore crown and sides of the facial
disk, and folding feather tracts on the forehead
at the edges of the disk over the inner part of
the eyes. This makes the top left and right
edges of the disk stand out, with also the
support of adjacent crown feathers, giving an
impression of short ear-tufts. Another result is
an obvious, broader and deeper V on the
forehead, showing up more white, than in a
bird in “relaxed mode”. Endemic to Sri Lanka,
found thus far only in the southwest quarter of
the Island at Kithulgala, Kanneliya and Eratna-
Gilimale Reserves, with its strongholds in the
Sinharaja and Morapitiya-Runakanda
contiguous reserves.
 
10.Chestnut Backed Owlet
 

   

 
English Name: - Chestnut Backed Owlet
Sinhala Name: - Lanka Pitathambala Wana-
bassa
Scientific Name: - Glaucidium castanonotum
 
Chestnut-backed Owlet, Glaucidium
castanotum (misspelled Glaucidium
castanonotum), is an owl which is endemic to
Sri Lanka. This species is a part of the larger
grouping of owls known as typical owls,
Strigidae, which contains most of the smaller
species of owl. This species was formerly
considered as a subspecies of the Jungle Owlet.
The Chestnut-backed Owlet is small (19 cm)
and stocky. It resembles the Jungle Owlet in
shape, size and appearance but the upperparts,
scapulars and wing coverts are mainly chestnut
brown, with darker barring. The under parts are
white with blackish shaft-streaks. The facial
disc is mainly brown and the eyes are yellow.
There is a white neckband. Sexes are similar.
The tail is black with seven fine horizontal
bands of white. It is the size of the more
familiar Scops Owl but has yellow eyes and no
ear tufts. It is a rather scarce bird, being
confined to the remaining tracts of wet zone
forest and their outskirts ascending the wet
hills to about 1800 metres. In common with its
dry zone counterpart, the Jungle Owlet, it is
quite diurnal in its habits, feeding well into the
mornings. Due to this reason, though scarce, it
can often be observed in suitable habitat.
Kithulgala is a particularly good place to
observe the species. The bird lives in pairs
feeding on insects such as beetles. However
when young have to be fed, it catches much
larger fare. The call is a far carrying,
kaow,kaow kaow. The threatening song is a
krook krook ascending to a kaow, kaow and
ending in a kao whap, kao whap.
The breeding season is in the early part of the
year. No nests appear to have been found until
senior Ceylon Bird Club member Dr T S U de
Zylva found a pair nesting in a discarded
woodpecker nest hole in a tree about ten metres
up, close to Aluvihare, Matale in the Central
Province in April 2001. There were two young
present. Subsequently a nest was found in
February 2006 in a natural cavity in a Jak tree
high up about 12 metres from ground level at
Kithulgala. Ceylon Bird Club chairman Nanda
Senanayake was able to carefully measure the
eggs and found that these measurements were
significantly less than given by Legge
(supposedly of this species). The eggs are
white in colour. The nests found so far have
been located outside but close to forest. One
such nest was in a disused woodpecker nest in
a coconut palm. Both adults feed the young
visiting the nest every one and a half hours or
so. A pair was observed to feed the young till
at least 11.30 in the morning. Regarding the
feeding of the young, Ceylon Bird Club
member Uditha Hettige writes in the CBCN
March 2009, ‘when an adult arrived with food
it perched on a nearby tree and uttered a
screech. The chicks then replied in similar
fashion, and sometimes peeped out. It is only
after sometime that an adult would proceed to
the nest hole. They were very cautious around
it.’ He further records that young were fed
mainly on reptiles and gives the following list
of fare brought to the nest, observed by him
were; Eight skinks, three geckoes, three
Kangaroo Lizards, a snake of the Aspidura
genus, a large green cricket, two cicadas and a
nestling bird.
 
 
11.Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill
 

   

 
English Name: - Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill
Sinhala Name: - Alu Kandaththa
Scientific Name: - Ocyceros gingalensis
 
The Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros
gingalensis) is a hornbill and a widespread and
common endemic resident breeder in Sri
Lanka. Hornbills are a family of tropical near-
passerine birds found in the Old World.
The Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill is a gregarious
bird found in forest habitats. It feeds mostly on
figs, although occasionally it eats small
rodents, reptiles and insects. The female lays
up to four white eggs in a tree hole blocked off
during incubation with a cement made of mud,
droppings and fruit pulp. There is only one
narrow aperture, barely wide enough for the
male to transfer food to the mother and the
chicks.
The Grey Hornbill is a large bird at 45cm in
length. It has grey wings with black primary
flight feathers, a grey back, and a brown
crown. Its long tail is blackish with white sides,
and the under parts are white. The long curved
bill has no casque. Sexes are similar, although
the male has a cream-coloured bill, whereas the
female's is black with a cream stripe. Immature
birds have dark grey upperparts, a cream bill,
and a tail with a white tip. Its flight is slow and
powerful
 

12.Sri Lanka Yellow Fronted Barbet

 

   

 
English Name: - Sri Lanka Yellow Fronted
Barbet
Sinhala Name: - Ran-nalal Kottoruwa
Scientific Name: - Megalaima flavifrons
 
Yellow-fronted Barbet (Megalaima flavifrons)
is an Asian barbet which is an endemic resident
breeder in Sri Lanka. Barbets and toucans are a
group of near passerine birds with a worldwide
tropical distribution. The barbets get their
name from the bristles which fringe their heavy
bills.
Yellow-fronted Barbet is an arboreal species of
forests and other woodland, including large
gardens, which eats mainly fruit and rarely
insects. It nests in a tree hole, laying 2-3 eggs.
This is a medium-sized barbet at 21 cm. It is a
plump bird, with a short neck, large head and
short tail. The adult Yellow-fronted Barbet has
a mainly green body and wing plumage, with a
scaly appearance to the breast. It has a blue
face and throat, and a yellow crown and
moustachial stripes. The call is a rolling kow-
kow-kow-kow.
 
13. Ceylon Small Barbet
 

   
 
English Name: - Ceylon Small Barbet
Sinhala Name: - Oluwa Rathu Kottoruwa
Scientific Name: - Megalaima rubricapilla
 
Crimson-fronted Barbet or Ceylon Small
Barbet or Small Barbet (Megalaima
rubricapilla) is an Asian barbet endemic to Sri
Lanka. The Malabar Barbet endemic to the
Western Ghats of India used to be treated as a
subspecies of this species. Barbets and toucans
are a group of near passerine birds with a
worldwide tropical distribution. The barbets
get their name from the bristles which fringe
their heavy bills.
The Crimson-fronted Barbet is an arboreal
species of open woodland which eats fruit and
insects. It nests in a tree hole, laying 2-4 eggs.
This is a small barbet at 15 cm. It is a plump
bird with a short neck, large head and short
tail. The adult Crimson-fronted Barbet has a
mainly green body and wing plumage, a blue
band down the side of the head and neck, and a
black crescent behind the eye.

 
14.Crimson-backed Flameback
 

 
English Name: - Crimson-backed Flameback
Sinhala Name: - Maha Rathu Kerala
Scientific Name: - Chrysocolaptes stricklandi
 
The Greater Flameback, Chrysocolaptes
lucidus, also known as Greater Golden back,
Large Golden-backed Woodpecker or
Malherbe's Golden-backed Woodpecker, is a
woodpecker species. It occurs widely in
tropical Asia, from the Indian subcontinent
eastwards to Indonesia and the Philippines.
The Greater Flameback is a large woodpecker,
at 33 cm in length. It is of typical woodpecker
shape, has an erect crest and a long neck.
Coloration is highly variable between
subspecies; it always has unmarked golden-
yellow to dark brown back and wings. The
rump is red and the tail is black. The under
parts are white with dark markings (chevrons,
stripes, or bands), or light brown. The head is
whitish with a black pattern, or it is yellow,
brown or red. The straight pointed bill is long
(longer than the head) and – like the legs and
four-toed zygodactyl feet (two toes pointing
forward, two backward) – lead-grey. The eyes'
irides are whitish to yellow.
The adult male Greater Flameback always has
a red crown. Females have a crown color
varying between subspecies, such as black
spotted with white, yellow, or brown with
lighter dots. Young birds are like the female,
but duller, with brown irides.
The endemic Sri Lankan Crimson-backed
Flameback; Chrysocolaptes stricklandi has
very dark and rufous wings and a dark hind
neck. It is sometimes considered a Greater
 
 
15. Red Rumped Swallow
 

   

 
English Name: - Red Rumped Swallow
Sinhala Name: - Bada Rathu Wahi-lihiniya
Scientific Name: - Hirundo hyperythra
 
This bird has been recently recognized as a
distinct species and added to the Sri Lankan
endemic list. Sparrow sized and stockier than
our other swallows, it is unmistakable with
purple-blue glossed upperparts and rusty under
parts and rump. Both sexes are alike. Young
are duller.
The species is well distributed throughout the
Island up to about 1500 metres elevation. The
birds associate in pairs or more often in
scattered groups and spend their time flying
after the insect prey they feed on. The usual
habitat is open areas such as paddy fields,
roadsides, grasslands, grass covered hillsides
etc. The flight is typical swallow type with the
wings being open and shut at the wrist joint.
The birds flutter the wings rapidly and then
glide gracefully before fluttering the wings
again. The flight is however not as fast as the
other swallows’. This species commonly
associates with other swallows as well as
swifts. They fly high as well as within a few
feet from ground level. When not flying the
birds sit in an open perch like a bare twig or
power cable and preen them. The call is a
pleasant muffled t’lee easily recognized when
once heard. The birds also utter a loud twitter
accompanied by a shuffling of wings.
The nest is made out of mud pellets and stuck
to the underside of a disused flat roof, cave,
bridge or culvert generally about three metres
from ground level. It is a bottle gourd shaped
structure with a long entrance on one side. The
nest chamber is within the half dome and
consists of feathers and fibre. Both sexes
collect mud from the ground, mix with saliva
and mould it to worm-cast like pellets and use
these to build the nest. The two or three eggs
are pure white in colour. The young continue
to use the nest for roosting for sometime even
after fully fledged. The adults too often use the
same nest to breed again. The breeding season
is generally from March to July but some birds
nest again later in the year.
 

16.Ceylon Wood Shrike

 

   

 
English Name: - Ceylon Wood Shrike
Sinhala Name: - Wana Kowulaspatiya
Scientific Name: - Pondicerianus affinis
 
The Ceylon Wood Shrike; Pondicerianus
affinis is a nondescript, sparrow sized bird of
mostly grey plumage. The male has a dark
mask across the eye. A prominent feature
which stands out in this drab plumage is a
white rump bordered below with black upper
tail coverts. The female is browner with a less
prominent mask. The Wood Shrike is a
common bird in the low country dry zone and
ascends the hills to about 1200 metres
especially on the dryer, eastern side. It is scarce
and local in the wet zone.
This bird generally moves about in pair’s
frequent scrub as well as large trees flitting
about looking for the insects on which it feeds.
The Wood Shrike generally avoids heavy
forest. The bird would hardly be noticed if not
for its distinctive, pleasant call which sounds
like ‘twee-twee-twee-twee, twy, twy, twy, twy’
uttered rapidly on a descending scale.
The Ceylon Wood Shrike breeds during the
early part of the year building a well
camouflaged small cup like nest stuck to the
top of a horizontal branch or in a fork between
two smaller branches. The nest is very difficult
to spot unless the sitting bird is seen as it is
well covered on the outside with cobweb and
flakes. The young too are obliterating coloured
to resemble a lichen covered outgrowth of a
branch and are very difficult to spot. The nest
is generally placed about 3 to 5 metres from
ground level. They lay two to three eggs which
are buff or greenish white in ground colour
blotched all over with purplish-grey and
brown. It usually moves about in pairs
frequenting scrub as well as large trees flitting
about looking for the insects on which it feeds.
The Wood Shrike generally avoids heavy
forest. The bird would hardly be noticed if not
for its distinctive, pleasant call which sounds
like ‘twee-twee-twee-twee, twy, twy, twy, twy’
uttered rapidly on a descending scale.
 
16.Black- capped (crested) Bulbul
 
 
English Name: - Black- capped (crested)
Bulbul
Sinhala Name: - Hisa Kalu Kondaya
Scientific Name: - Pycnonotus melanicterus
 
The Black- capped Bulbul, Pycnonotus
melanicterus, is a member of the bulbul family
of passerine birds. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.
The Black-capped Bulbul (P. melanicterus)
from Sri Lanka is virtually crestless, has a
yellow throat and brownish eyes. This is a bird
of forest and dense scrub. It builds its nest in a
bush; two to four eggs is a typical clutch. The
Black-crested Bulbul feeds on fruit and insects.
The Black-crested Bulbul is about 19 cm (7 in)
in length, including its relatively long tail. It
has olive upperparts and yellow or olive-
yellow under parts. The head is black. Sexes
are similar in plumage, but young birds are
duller than adults. The flight is bouncing and
woodpecker-like.
Somewhat smaller than the well known Red-
vented Bulbul, its black cap, yellow underparts
and green-ochre upper plumage makes it easy
to recognize. It could only be confused with
the Yellow browed Bulbul, which does not
however have the black cap and white edges to
the tail quills. The sexes are similar except that
the iris of the male is crimson red while that of
the female is deep brown.
This is a bird of forest and other well wooded
habitat. It is found throughout the low country
and up to the mid hills. It usually moves about
in pairs but small parties are also met with. It
inhabits trees as well as shrubs, feeding on
both fruits and insects. Like all bulbuls it is an
active bird moving quickly from tree to tree
while searching for food. It has a mournful
three syllable song on an ascending scale and a
variety of other calls.
Nesting occurs in April-May with a secondary
season in August-September especially in the
hills. The nest is almost always placed in a
small sapling at the forest edge, bordering a
jungle path or a stream. It is not placed at any
great height being between one to three metres
from ground level. The nest is well hidden as
the sapling chosen is often one which is
covered with creepers.
The nest is a typical bulbul type cup. However
it is always rested on an underlying platform of
broad leaves. During initial nest building both
birds carry broad green leaves and build this
platform plastering them in place with cobweb.
They lay two eggs at a time. They are pinkish
in ground colour profusely spotted and
speckled with reddish brown, these being more
concentrated at the broader end. Both birds
build the nest, incubate and feed the young.  
 
17.Yellow-eared Bulbul
 

   
 
English Name: - Yellow-eared Bulbul
Sinhala Name: - Kaha Kondaya
Scientific Name: - Pycnonotus penicillatus
 
The Yellow-eared Bulbul, Pycnonotus
penicillatus, is a member of the bulbul family
of passerine birds. It is an endemic resident
breeder in the highlands of Sri Lanka. This is a
bird of jungle and wooded farmland. Despite
its restricted range, it is quite readily found at
sites such as Horton Plains and Victoria Park in
Nuwara Eliya. It builds its nest in a bush; two
eggs is a typical clutch. The Yellow-eared
Bulbul is about 20 cm (7 inches) in length,
with a long tail. It has olive upperparts and
yellowish under parts. The crown of the head is
grey, and there are yellow ear tufts and a
yellow patch below the eye. There is a white
tuft in front of the eye and the throat is also
white. This is another endemic Bulbul. It is
about the same size as a Red-vented Bulbul but
fuller plumaged. The distinctive black and
white head markings and yellow ‘ear tufts’
makes its identification easy. Both sexes are
alike in appearance.
This is primarily a hill bird found only above
1000 metres but is not really common below
1300 metres. Above this elevation it is a
familiar and pleasing sight in our hill stations.
It inhabits forest, well wooded areas, gardens
and orchards. The species usually moves about
in pairs but parties congregate where food is
plentiful. It is a very active bird which moves
about looking for the insects and fruit on which
it feeds. It is very fond of the fruit of the wild
yellow raspberry which grows in the hills. The
call is a pleasant, musical weet, wit wit, wit
wit, usually uttered on the wing which is easily
recognizable when once heard. A low crr, crr
alarm call is also uttered.
The breeding season is from March to May
with a secondary season from August to
October. The nest is more substantial than most
other bulbul nests, being larger and more solid.
It is constructed with moss, lined with fine
ferns, rootlets and placed in a small tree or
bush about three to five metres from ground
level. Two eggs are usually laid which are
white or pale pink in ground colour heavily
blotched with reddish purple or reddish brown
and underlying markings of lavender.
 
18. Sri Lanka Spotted-winged Thrush
 

   

 
English Name: - Sri Lanka Spotted-winged
Thrush
Sinhala Name: - Lanka Thithpiya Thirasikaya
Scientific Name: - Zoothera spiloptera
 
The Spot-winged Thrush, Zoothera spiloptera,
is an Asian Thrush; It is an endemic resident
breeder in Sri Lanka. This uncommon species
breeds in hill rainforests, and to a lesser extent
in drier woodlands, at altitudes between 500
and 2000 metres. The wintering areas are
similar but include less well-wooded areas, and
are generally at 750 to 1500 metres altitude.
The Spot-winged Thrush is generally solitary,
and like many Zoothera thrushes, can be quite
secretive, especially in the dense undergrowth
and bamboo clumps it favours.

Spot-winged Thrushes are omnivorous, but eat

far more insects than fruit. They feed on the
ground. Spot-winged Thrush; identified by its
olive-brown upper parts, two rows of white
spots on the median and greater wing coverts,
characteristic markings on the face and
inverted fan shaped black spots on the breast
and flanks. Sexes are similar. Young have
paler streaked upper parts and buff lower parts
with coalescing spots. The characteristic facial
pattern is present in the young but is more
indistinct.
Not uncommon in damp, evergreen forest in
the wet lowlands and ranging up to 2000
metres (commoner below 1500 metres). Also
occurs in secondary scrub, plantations and
occasionally gardens adjacent to forest. It is
scarce and local in the dry zone occurring in
riverine forests.
This is a terrestrial species which feeds mostly
on the ground in the typical thrush manner,
turning over leaves vigorously. Birds are often
met with in the mornings and evenings feeding
along jungle trails. This thrush has a quaint
habit of perching on slight elevations or twigs
on the ground. The Spotted-winged Thrush is a
beautiful songster, singing with a variety of
human sounding rich whistling notes. It also
utters a thin, high pitched call when alarmed or
as a warning to its mate. Food consists of
insects, worms etc but the bird probably feeds
on berries as well.
The species is double brooded. Nests are met
with in March-April and again in August-
November. The nest is generally placed in a
low exposed fork of a sapling or small tree at a
height from 4-8 feet within the forest. The nest
looks like a mass of jungle debris collected in a
fork comprising of dead and decaying leaves,
stems etc with a small tolerably neat cup in the
center lined with fine rootlets and leaf midribs.
The rim is often finished with moss. Where
moss is plentiful more of it is used in the
construction of the nest.
The eggs are generally two in number. The
ground colour varies from pale cream-buff to
pale grey-green, profusely covered with small
spots, blotches and streaks of light reddish
brown all over with some underlying markings
of lavender-pink. Both birds probably incubate
and feed the young. Sinharaja and Kithulgala
forest reserves are two locations where this
species can be observed easily.
 
19.Sri Lanka Scaly Thrush
 

   

 
English Name: - Sri Lanka Scaly Thrush
Sinhala Name: – Pethi-gomara Wal-
avichchiya
Scientific Name: - Zoothera imbricata
 
The Sri Lanka Scaly Thrush; Zoothera
imbricata is a member of the thrush family
Turdidae. This bird is a non-migratory resident
breeder found in south western wetlands of the
island of Sri Lanka. Zoothera imbricata is
usually treated as a race of Z. dauma or the
White's Thrush. It belongs in a group, possibly
a super species, formed by that species and Z.
lunulata, Z. heinei, Z. machiki, Z. talaseae, Z.
margaretae etc., Z. imbricata being smaller,
longer billed and Rufous below.
Sri Lanka Scaly Thrush is 24 cm. Olive brown
above heavily scaled with black. Whitish
throat; the rest of the under parts are tawny
buff heavily scaled black, with whitish on belly
and vent. Bill is rather large, blackish with
paler lower mandible. Similar spp. the only
other species of Zoothera thrush in the species’
range, Spot-winged Ground-thrush Zoothera
spiloptera lacks scaling on the back and is
white rather than tawny coloured below. Voice
song is a series of prolonged, single, sibilant,
rich whistles. Not loud but far-carrying.
Distribution and population of Sri Lanka Scaly
Thrush; Zoothera imbricata occurs in the Wet
Zone of south-west Sri Lanka. Its population is
thought to be moderately small as it is
reportedly uncommon. It resides in moist
evergreen forests from 400 to 2,200 m within
the 'Wet Zone' of Sri Lanka. A recent record
suggests the species also inhabits forest in the
'Intermediate Zone'. Also recorded from
plantations, copses and parks.
 
20.Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush
 

   

 
English Name: - Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush
Sinhala Name: - Lanka Arangaya
Scientific Name: - Myiophoneus blighi
 
The Sri Lanka Whistling-thrush, Myiophoneus
blighi, is a whistling thrush in the thrush family
Turdidae. It is a resident endemic bird in Sri
Lanka. In Sinhala, Sri Lanka Whistling-thrush
is called Lanka Arangaya.
It is found in the highlands of Sri Lanka in
jungle or other dense forest near water and is
omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects,
frogs, earthworms and berries. It lays one or
two eggs in a neat cup-shaped nest in a bush or
on a ledge near water. Sri Lanka Whistling-
thrush does not form flocks, although several
birds may be loosely associated in suitable
habitat.
This is a small whistling thrush; at only 20 cm.
Adult males are dark blue with a darker head
and back. There are bright blue patches on the
shoulders, super cilia and forehead. The female
is brown above and chestnut below, but has a
bright blue shoulder patch like the male. The
male sings its simple whistling song from trees,
usually in deep cover.
This is a notoriously difficult species to see,
even when the males are singing in the
breeding season, which starts in February. It is
very shy, scarce, localised and declining due to
habitat loss. Perhaps the best chance is at dawn
at Horton Plains National Park, 2000m up in
the highlands of Sri Lanka.
 
21.Sri Lanka Dull Blue Flycatcher
 

   

 
English Name: - Sri Lanka Dull Blue
Flycatcher
Sinhala Name: - Lanka Andurunil-Masimara
Scientific Name: - Eumyias sordida
 
The Dull-blue Flycatcher, Eumyias sordida, is
a small passerine bird in the flycatcher family
Muscicapidae. This species is an endemic
resident breeder in the hills of central Sri
Lanka. The Dull-blue Flycatcher breeds in
deciduous mountain forest, invariably above
600 metres, although it is not common below
900 metres. The main breeding season is in
March and April, but a second brood is often
reared later in the year.
The cup-shaped nest is a lined compact mass of
moss. The site is usually a well-shaded rock
ledge. The normal clutch is two or three
brown-spotted pink eggs are laid. One of the
best places to see this species is Horton Plains
National Park. This species is 15 cm long. It is
similar in shape to the Spotted Flycatcher and
has a loud melodic song. Adults are ashy blue,
with a whitish belly. There is a black patch
between the broad black bill and the eye,
bordered with brighter blue above and below.
Sexes are similar, but females are slightly
duller. Juvenile Dull-blue Flycatchers are
brown, heavily spotted on the head, back,
wing-coverts and breast with pale buff; their
flight feathers are broadly edged with blue-
grey.
This is relatively easy bird to see, despite its
forest habitat. It feeds mainly on flying insects,
beetles, caterpillars and other insects, but also
eats berries.
22.Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush
 

   

 
English Name: - Ashy-headed Laughing
Thrush
Sinhala Name: - Alu Demalichcha
Scientific Name: - Garrulax cinereifrons
 
The Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush, Garrulax
cinereifrons, is an Old World babbler. The Old
World babblers are a large family of Old
World passerine birds characterised by soft
fluffy plumage. These are birds of tropical
areas, with the greatest variety in Southeast
Asia.
The Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush is a rangy
bird, 23 centimetres (9 in) in length with a long
floppy tail. It is Rufous brown above and deep
buff below, with a grey head and white throat.
Like other babblers, these are noisy birds, and
the characteristic laughing calls are often the
best indication that they are present, since they
are often difficult to see in their preferred
habitat.
The Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush is a
resident breeding bird endemic to Sri Lanka.
Its habitat is rainforest, and it is seldom seen
away from deep jungle or dense bamboo
thickets in the wet zone. This species, like most
babblers, is not migratory, and has short
rounded wings and a weak flight.
Although its habitat is under threat, this
Laughing Thrush occurs in all the forests of the
wet zone, and is quite common at prime sites
like Kithulgala and Sinharaja. It builds its nest
in a bush, concealed in dense masses of
foliage. The normal clutch is three or four
eggs. As with other babbler species, Ashy-
headed Laughing Thrushes frequently occur in
groups of up to a dozen, and are also often
found in the mixed feeding flocks typical of
tropical Asian jungle. They feed mainly on
insects, but also eat jungle berries.

23.Brown Capped Babbler

 

   

 
English Name: - Brown Capped Babbler
Sinhala Name: - Lanka Mudun Bora
Demalichcha
Scientific Name: - Pellorneum fuscocapillus
 
The Brown-capped Babbler; Pellorneum
fuscocapillus is an endemic resident breeding
bird in Sri Lanka. Its habitat is forest
undergrowth and thick scrub. This species, like
most babblers, is not migratory, and has short
rounded wings and a weak flight. This babbler
builds its nest on the ground or in a hole,
concealed in dense masses of foliage. The
normal clutch is two or three eggs. The Brown-
capped Babbler measures 16 cm including its
long tail. It is brown above and rich cinnamon
below. It has a dark brown crown. Brown-
capped Babblers have short dark bills. Their
food is mainly insects. They can be difficult to
observe in the dense vegetation they prefer, but
like other babblers, these are noisy birds, and
their characteristic calls are often the best
indication that these birds are present.
The Brown-capped Babbler (Pellorneum
fuscocapillus) is an Old World babbler. The
Old World babblers are a large family of
passerine birds characterised by soft fluffy
plumage. These are birds of tropical areas, with
the greatest variety in Southeast Asia.
 
 
24.Ceylon Scimitar Babbler
 

   

 
English Name: - Ceylon Scimitar Babbler
Sinhala Name: - Dekathi Demalichcha
Scientific Name: - Pomatorhinus melanurus
 
The Sri Lanka Scimitar-babbler or Ceylon
Scimitar-babbler (Pomatorhinus melanurus) is
an Old World babbler. It is endemic to the
Island of Sri Lanka, and was formerly treated
as a subspecies of Indian Scimitar-babbler. The
nominate form is found in the western part of
wet hill regions of Sri Lanka, while race
holdsworthi is found in the dry lowlands and
eastern hills.
Most Scimitar-babbler species are referred as
parandel kurulla by the Sinhala speaking
community. The term 'parandel' refers to dried
grass and probably refers to the color of the
bird. The vernacular name of the bird parandel
kurulla roughly translates to English as 'dried-
grass colored bird'. This bird appears in a 4.50
rupee Sri Lankan postal stamp.
 
25.Sri Lanka Orange-billed Babbler
 

   

 
English Name: - Sri Lanka Orange-billed
Babbler
Sinhala Name: - Rathu Demalichcha
Scientific Name: - Turdoides rufescens
 
The Orange-billed Babbler, Turdoides
rufescens, also known as Ceylon Rufous
Babbler or Sri Lankan Rufous Babbler is an
Old World babbler. The Old World babblers
are a large family of Old World passerine birds
characterized by soft fluffy plumage. These are
birds of tropical areas, with the greatest variety
in Southeast Asia.
The Orange-billed Babbler is a resident
breeding bird endemic to Sri Lanka. In the
past, it was considered to be a race of Jungle
Babbler, Turdoides striatus. Its habitat is
rainforest, and it is seldom seen away from
deep jungle. This species, like most babblers, is
not migratory, and has short rounded wings
and a weak flight. Although its habitat is under
threat, it occurs in all the forests of the wet
zone, and is quite common at prime sites like
Kithulgala and Sinharaja. It builds its nest in a
tree, concealed in dense masses of foliage. The
normal clutch is two or three deep greenish
blue eggs.
These birds are plain orange brown below, and
have a slightly darker shade above. The crown
and nape are grey, and the bill is orange. The
Orange-billed Babbler lives in flocks of seven
to ten or more. It is a noisy bird, and the
presence of a flock may generally be known at
some distance by the continual chattering,
squeaking and chirping produced by its
members. It is usually the first sign that a
mixed-species feeding flock, so characteristic
of Asian wet forests, is in the vicinity. It feeds
mainly on insects, but also eats jungle berries.
 
26.Sri Lanka Bush Warbler
 

   
 
English Name: - Sri Lanka Bush Warbler
Sinhala Name: - Lanka Rusi-Raviya
Scientific Name: - Elaphrornis palliseri
 
The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Ceylon Bush
Warbler or Palliser's Warbler (Elaphrornis
palliseri) is an Old World warbler which is an
endemic resident breeder in Sri Lanka, where it
is the only bush warbler. The Sri Lanka Bush
Warbler has sometimes been placed in the
genus Bradypterus; it appears to be closely
related to that genus, but differs in structure
(relatively shorter-tailed and longer-billed),
plumage (unmarked) and song. It is monotypic.
The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler is a bird of dense
forest undergrowth, often close to water. It is
found in the highlands of central Sri Lanka,
usually above 1200 m. The nest is built in a
shrub, and two eggs are laid.
This is a medium-large warbler at 14 cm. The
adult has a plain brown back, pale grey under
parts, a broad tail and short wings. There is a
weak super cilium, and the throat is tinged
orange. The sexes are identical, as with most
warblers, but young birds lack the throat
colouration. The Sri Lanka Bush Warbler is a
skulk species which can very difficult to see.
Perhaps the best site is Horton Plains National
Park. It keeps low in vegetation, and, like most
warblers, it is insectivorous. Males are often
only detected by the loud song, which has an
explosive queer.
 
27.White-throated Flowerpecker
 

   

 
English Name: - White-throated Flowerpecker
Sinhala Name: - Lanka Pilalichcha
Scientific Name: - Dicaeum vincens
 
White-throated Flowerpecker (Dicaeum
vincens) is a small passerine bird. It is an
endemic resident breeder in Sri Lanka. It is
named after the Australian ornithologist
William Vincent Legge. White-throated
Flowerpecker is a common resident breeding
bird of forests and other well-wooded habitats
including gardens. Two eggs are laid in a
purse-like nest suspended from a tree.
This is a very small, stout Flowerpecker, 10 cm
in length, with a short tail, short thick curved
bill and tubular tongue. The latter features
reflect the importance of nectar in its diet,
although berries, spiders and insects are also
taken.
The male White-throated Flowerpecker has
blue-black upperparts, a white throat and upper
breast, and yellow lower breast and belly. The
female is duller, with olive-brown upperparts. 
 
28.Sri Lanka White-eye
 

   

 
English Name: - Sri Lanka White-eye
Sinhala Name: - Lanka Sithasiya
Scientific Name: -Zosterops ceylonensis
 
The Sri Lanka White-eye, Zosterops
ceylonensis, is a small passerine bird in the
white-eye family. It is a resident breeder in
forests, gardens and plantations which is
endemic to Sri Lanka, mainly in the highlands.
This bird is slightly larger than the Oriental
White-eye (about 11 cm long) which it
replaces above 4000 ft. The upper parts of the
body and sides of neck are dark olive green.
The rump appears paler green while the crown
and forehead appear darker. The wings and tail
are brown edged with green on the back. The
typical ring of tiny white feathers around the
eye is present. The lores are dark and there is a
dark streak below the eye. The chin, throat and
upper breast are greenish-yellow as are the
thighs and vent. The belly region is grayish
white. The dark bill has a slaty base to the
lower mandible. The legs are dark. The iris is
yellow to reddish-brown.
This species can be distinguished from the
widespread Oriental White-eye, Zosterops
palpebrosus, by its larger size, duller green
back and more extensive yellow on the breast.
It has a darker patch between the eye and the
bill. It is sociable, forming large flocks which
only separate on the approach of the breeding
season. It builds a tree nest and lays 3
unspotted pale blue eggs. Though mainly
insectivorous, Sri Lankan White-eye will also
eat nectar and fruits of various kinds.
The English and scientific names refer to the
conspicuous ring of white feathers round the
eyes, Zosterops being Greek for girdle-eye.

 
 
29.Sri Lanka White-headed Starling
 

   

 
English Name: - Sri Lanka White-headed
Starling
Sinhala Name: – Hisa-sudu Sharikava
Scientific Name: - Sturnia albofrontata
 
The White-faced Starling, Sturnus
albofrontatus, is a member of the starling
family of birds. It is an endemic resident
breeder in Sri Lanka. It was for a long time
erroneously known as S. senex; this was
eventually identified as a junior synonym of
the Red-billed Starling (Mees 1997).
The adults of these 22 cm-long birds have
green-glossed dark grey upperparts and whitish
under parts. The head is paler than the under
parts. The sexes are similar, but juveniles are
duller, with brown upperparts and greyer under
parts.The White-faced Starling, Sturnus
albofrontatus, is another hill country endemic
recorded only above 1000 m altitude where it
could be the commonest bird. Forms scattered
flocks except in the breeding season, when it
pairs up. Slightly larger than the similar
looking oriental White-eye and also is of a
darker jungle green plumage. The white eye-
ring is more widely broken is front than in
Oriental. Lower breast, belly and flanks are
grayish-white. Nuwara-Eliya and Horton
Plains are two of the best sites for this
species.This passerine is typically found in tall
forest, usually high in the canopy. The White-
faced Starling builds its nest in a hole. The
normal clutch is two eggs.
Like most starlings, the White-faced Starling is
fairly omnivorous, eating fruit, nectar and
insects.
 
30.Sri Lanka Mynah
 

 
English Name: - Sri Lanka Mynah
Sinhala Name: - Lanka Salalihiniya
Scientific Name: - Gracula ptilogenys
 
The Sri Lanka Myna, Ceylon Myna or Sri
Lanka Hill Myna (Gracula ptilogenys), is a
Myna, a member of the starling family. This
bird is endemic to Sri Lanka.
This passerine is typically found in forest and
cultivation. The Sri Lanka Myna builds a nest
in a hole. The normal clutch is two eggs.
These 25 cm long birds have green-glossed
black plumage, purple-tinged on the head and
neck. There are large white wing patches,
which are obvious in flight. The strong legs are
bright yellow, and there are yellow wattles on
the nape.
The different shape and position of the wattles
and the stouter orange-red bill distinguish this
species from the Southern Hill Myna, which
also occurs in Sri Lankan forests. The sexes are
similar, but juveniles have a duller bill.
Rather larger than the Common Mynah; larger
than the Salalihiniya but very similar to it
except having only one part of wattles, those at
the back of the head, and some black at the
base of the beak. Sexes are alike, and the
young differ only in being duller, and having
smaller wattles. It lives in scattered in colonies,
but does not seem to be as gregarious as
Salalihiniya (The Common Hill-Myna),
usually occurring in pairs. It loves high trees,
and may be found in the heart of tall forests, as
well as on estates and village gardens in their
neighbourhood. It is a restless bird. The food
consists of wild fruits such as, Bo and Nuga
figs, wild nutmegs, and Sapu seeds.
The breeding season is February-May and a
secondary season in August-September. The
nest is made in a cavity in a tree-bole or large
branch. The two eggs are pale Prussian blue,
blotched with purplish brown. They measure
about 33×25mm. Sri Lanka Mynah inhabits the
forests and well-wooded areas of the wet zone,
the hills, and the wetter districts of the south
and west, to at least 6,000 feet. Occasionally it
strays into the drier, eastern slopes of the main
range, but it is essentially a bird of the wet-
zone hills.
Like most starlings, the Sri Lanka Myna is
fairly omnivorous, eating fruit, nectar and
insects.

 
31.Ceylon Crested Drongo
 

   

 
English Name: - Ceylon Crested Drongo
Sinhala Name: - Konda Kawda
Scientific Name: - Dicrurus lophorinus /
Dicrurus paradiseus
 
Identification
 Black plumage with metallic blue or
greenish-blue gloss
 Arching, helmet-like crest
 Deeply forked tail
 Red eye
 Sexes similar
Behavior
Forest, forest edges, plantations, wooded
gardens.
Like most Drongo’s, hawks after insects from
open perches.
A superb mimic of the calls of other birds but
always has a metallic sound.
Ceylon Crested Drongo (Dicrurus
lophorinus)
Formerly, regarded as a race of the Greater
Racket-tailed Drongo, which occur as a dry
zone race. Generally, the Ceylon Crested
Drongo has a smaller and brush-like frontal
crest and a deeply forked tail, without rackets.
In some birds, the crest can be as pronounced
as in the Racket-tailed Drongo. This leads to
disparities in the published literature. It is a
highly vocal bird and is easily located as a
result. It is a nucleus species in feeding flocks.
It has a variety of loud, bell-like calls and
chatter, which enliven the forest. It also has
harsh calls, and mimics a variety of birds and a
few animals.