by admin-unique | Sep 15, 2023 | Activities To Do in Sri Lanka, Adventure Travel, Blog, Travel Tips, Wildlife and National Parks, Wildlife Safaris
Srilanka is a bird watcher’s paradise. From vibrant endemic species to majestic migratory visitors, the country offers a tapestry of winged wonders. If you are a birdwatcher or a nature enthusiast, there will never be a dull moment for you. Come join us on an exploration of Sri Lanka’s diverse avian treasures, where each fluttering wing paints a unique story of nature’s beauty in perfect harmony.
The island’s diverse habitats, including mountains, rainforests, dry zones,s and wetlands are home to a stunning array of birds. Here are some of the common birds you can find in Sri Lanka:
Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus) – This majestic raptor can be spotted in the dry zone in Yala, Bundala, Udawalawa, Kaudulla and Wilpatthu National parks..
Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura) – The Indian Pitta is a migratory bird. It is known for its vibrant plumage with a mix of blue, green, and orange hues. It visits Sri Lanka during the winter
months and it can be found in the dry and wet zones
Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus) – The Malabar Pied Hornbill is found in the dry zone and lowland rainforests. They are common in Yala and Udawalawa areas.
Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) – The Painted Stork is a large wading bird. It consists of a beautiful pink and white plumage. It is commonly found in lagoons and wetlands, where
it uses its distinctive long bill to catch fish.[Yala, Udawalawa, Wilpatthu]
Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) – The Spot-billed Pelican is found in the wet and dry zones. This is a common bird that you even see in your car.
Sri Lanka Blue Magpie (Urocissa ornata) – The Sri Lanka Blue Magpie is endemic to Sri Lanka. It’s a striking bird with a deep blue and white plumage. Its long tail and vibrant colors
make it a sought-after species for birdwatchers.
Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot (Loriculus beryllinus) – The Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot is a charming small parrot. It’s known for its green plumage and red bill, and it’s frequently seen in the
canopies of rainforests and wooded areas.[Sinharaja rain forest]
Sri Lanka Junglefowl (Gallus lafayettii) – The Sri Lanka Junglefowl is the national bird of Sri Lanka. It’s an iconic species native to Sri Lanka. The male boasts vibrant colors with a striking blue neck, while the female exhibits more subtle shades of brown. This bird is commonly found in forested regions across the island.
Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush (Myophonus blighi) – The Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush is an elusive bird that is native to the mountains of Sri Lanka and is known for its hauntingly beautiful whistling calls. It prefers the mossy rocks and streams in the highlands.
White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)– A majestic seabird, the White-bellied Sea Eagle is known for its impressive wingspan and striking white underbelly. It can be spotted near coastal areas, soaring gracefully above the waters.
But wait! That’s not all! These are just a few examples of the diverse birdlife found in Sri Lanka. The key to witnessing the diverse range of birds lies in knowing where to go. So where can you go? Well, you must know by now that from rainforests and wetlands to coastal areas and mountains, the country’s varied landscapes provide a habitat for an impressive array of bird species. With destinations like Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary, Bundala National Park, Horton Plains National Park, Kitulgala, Kumana National Park, Minneriya National Park, Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve, Udawalawe National Park, Wilpattu National Park, and Yala National Park, you have an incredible range of options to explore. So, plan your next vacation to this beautiful island. We can guarantee that you will be rewarded with unforgettable bird-watching experiences that will leave you in awe of nature’s wonders.
“Wings of freedom, soaring through the skies.”
by admin-unique | Nov 14, 2023 | Adventure Travel, Blog, Travel Tips, Wildlife and National Parks, Wildlife Safaris
Sri Lanka, is home for a lot of mammals, Birds, reptiles and amphibians. The bio- diversity of this little Island is amazing and is truly a paradise for wild life lovers.
The elephant gatherings at Minneriya National park where hundreds of Elephants are seen is a truly unique experience. The Yala National park has the highest
concentration of Leopards in the World. The Wilpatthu National park is known for its high concentration of Sloth bear. The Gal oya National park is the only park in the World to see swimming Asian Elephants. There is guarantee of seeing crocodiles, Wild boa, Deer, different types of monkeys and a variety of birds.
However, wild life is been threatened by various factors some within control and some being natural causes. Some elephants go the bordering villages and destroy the farmer’s crops and homes. They get to the villages through the sugar cane, pineapple and banana plantations. The Leopards too get to the villages to catch animals in farms. This animal human conflict sometimes results in the death of Animals.
The wildlife conservation department is making an attempt to stop the animals from coming in to villages by building electric fences and
digging holes to obstruct the animal corridors. The farmers have been educated not to grow crops that are edible to Elephants and build steel pens for their Animals.
Though the numbers of the Elephants and the Leopards are stable, It is been recognized as a top priority to manage the conflicts. The Red Slender Loris is a rare and endangered animal found in Sri Lanka. Deforestation and habitat destruction have posed significant threats to these small, wide-eyed mammals. Sri Lanka has taken measures to preserve the native habitats of these rare species and raise awareness about the importance of conservation. The Toque Macaque, also known as “Rilawa” is one of the fascinating animals in Sri Lanka that you can frequently spot in the country’s lush forests. These monkeys
live in troops and they are called temple monkeys as they commonly live in the surroundings of temples and other cultural sites in addition to the forests. These
monkeys are in danger due to habitat loss and human activity. Sri Lanka is actively working on conservation initiatives to safeguard these monkeys as they are endemic to Sri Lanka.
The Black-Necked Stork is a beautiful bird in Sri Lanka that is struggling with endangerment. The loss of wetland habitat and other human activities has put these magnificent stork in danger. The country has established, protected and preserved wetland areas in order to safeguard these large bird.
Visit Sri Lanka to see these lovely specimens and have a memorable holiday while helping to preserve nature’s wonders!
by admin-unique | Jun 6, 2019 | Adventure Travel, Blog, Family Holidays, Family Holidays in Sri Lanka, Family Holidays to Sri Lanka, Family Tours in Sri Lanka, Family Tours to Sri Lanka, National Parks, Tours In Sri Lanka, Travel Tips, Wildlife and National Parks, Wildlife Safaris
This month’s Wanderlust Travel Magazine cover story takes their readers on a voyage of the Indian Ocean, the highlight being the incredible experience of exploring Sri Lanka’s cultural gems and witnessing her stunning wildlife up close.
The first-hand experience of the magazine’s writer Phoebe Smith (and the amazing photographs taken on the journey by Neil S Price) takes the reader on an epic journey around the Bay of Bengal where they explore mangrove forests, the rock-top fortress of Sigiriya and exploding volcanoes.
by admin-unique | Jun 6, 2019 | Adventure Travel, Blog, Tours In Sri Lanka, Travel Tips, Wildlife and National Parks, Wildlife Safaris
A sub-species of the Sloth Bear, the Sri Lankan Sloth Bear is a rare and highly threatened species with as few as 500 reported in the wild. Thankfully the National Parks of Wilpattu, and particularly Yala, preserve these unique mammals which are best spotted in the parks during the month of June.
With their distinct thick black coats and hairless snouts, the Sloth Bear is an omnivore which usually consumes insects which it finds in trees by using its long snout and powerful smell. The bear very rarely kills other animals and typically eats berries, nuts and roots alongside insects.
Due to its diet, the Sri Lankan Sloth Bear is very much dependant on the lowland forests in the dry-zone of the island where its staple food sources are found. Unfortunately, the recent destruction of these zones across the island has left the bear highly threatened with as few as 500 thought to still be in the wild.
by admin-unique | May 28, 2019 | Wildlife and National Parks
Although a small island, Sri Lanka has a rich array of bird life that can be spotted in the variety of land and water based habitats found across the country.
Of the 433 documented bird species found in Sri Lanka, 33 are completely unique to the island. There is an abundance of resident and migratory species, the latter of which migrate to Sri Lanka during the northern winter months and can therefore be spotted between September and April. The exception are the seabirds, such as the Petrels, that migrate during the southern winter months.
by admin-unique | May 28, 2019 | Wildlife and National Parks
Udawalawe National Park is famous for its herd of two hundred and fifty wild elephants which permanently reside at the park, attracted by the Udawalawe reservoir.
Udawalawe was designated a national park in 1972 with the purpose of providing a protected area for the many animal species that were displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe reservoir. Today it is particularly noted for its large herd of wild elephants that reside in the park as well as being a sanctuary for many water birds.
For those looking to experience the stunning Sri Lankan wildlife, Udawalawe is one of the best park to visit during a Sri Lankan tour and is the third most visited national park on the island.
Recent Comments