Endemic & Threatened Birds in Sri Lanka-Part 3

Sri Lankan Whistling -Thrust(Lanka Arangaya)

(http://www.mysrilanka.com/travel/birds/index.htm)

Local Name : Sri Lankan Whistling -Thrust
Scientific Name : Myophonus blighi
Sinhala Name : Lanka Arangaya

Between the Bulbul and the Mynah in size. This is one of the rarest birds found in the island. This is a scarce and shy mountain bird which is most likely to be seen between 4000 and 6000 feet contours. Strictly a forest dweller,it loves densely wooded, ferny ravines and gorges. It is seldom seen far from a stream. It is a lively bird, never still for long; it runs very rapidly and has a habit of frequently opening and shutting the tail with a spasmodic action.Breeds in January to May.

The Ashy-Headed Laughing-Thrush(Alu Demalichcha)

(http://www.mysrilanka.com/travel/birds/index.htm)

Local Name : The Ashy-Headed Laughing-Thrush
Scientific Name : Garrulax cinereifrons
Sinhala Name : Alu Demalichcha

Very slightly larger than the Common Babbler. It is confined to the deep forests of the wet zone and the adjacent mountains where, on the southern and western aspects of the main range, it ascends to at least 5000 feet. It lives in flocks and is a noisy bird. The members of the troop work steadily through the damp undergrowth, fluttering from tree to tree in search of food. Breeds in March-July.

Endemic & Threatened Birds in Sri Lanka-Part 2

Endemic & Threatened Birds in Sri Lanka-Part 1

Sri Lanka grey hornbill (Alu Kadaththa)

Local Name : The Ceylon Grey Hornbill
Scientific Name : Ocyceros gingalensis (Shaw)
Sinhala Name : Alu Kadatta

About the size of the Black Crow but with much longer bill and tail. This bird is common in all low-country forested areas, both wet and dry zones, and it occasionally ascends the hills to 4000 feet though it is decidedly rare at such elevations. Its favourite abode is the medium levels of tall forest, where hanging creepers and lianas supply convenient perches as well as concealment. Breeds from April to August.

Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot(Lanka Giramalitta)

Local Name : Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot
Scientific Name : Loriculus beryllinus
Sinhala Name : Lanka Giramalitta

About the size of the House Sparrow. This brilliantly-coloured little parrot is found everywhere in the hills up to 4000 feet and sometimes ascending higher. It also inhabits the low-country wet zone and parts of the dry zone to the south of the northern province. It is strictly arboreal, never descending to the ground. The flight is swift and is performed by alternate fluttering of wings. Breeds in the first half of the year, and sometimes again in July-September.

The Red-Faced Malkoha(Wataratu Malkoha)

Local Name : The Red-Faced Malkoha
Scientific Name : Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus
Sinhala Name : Wataratu Malkoha

About the length of the Common Coucal, but more slenderly built and with proportionally a much longer tail. This handsome bird cannot be mistaken for any other bird in the island. It is nowadays found mainly in the forests of the wet zone and the adjoining hills, but a few scattered colonies exist in the dry zone as well. It inhabits tall forest, threading its way through tangled twigs, creepers and foliage in the tree canopy. Breeds in the first half of the year and probably again in August-September

Endemic & Threatened Birds in Sri Lanka-Part 1

The Pearl of the Indian Ocean, renowned all over the world for its rich biodiversity has a unique birdlife. Altogether, a total of 436 species of birds have been recorded in the country. It offers over 160 migrant bird species escaping the temperate winter, a warm tropical refuge.24 species of birds are found only in our island and nowhere else in the world. Soon, in the light of recent research, another 10 species will be listed as endemic to the country.

The Ceylon Spurfowl (Lanka Haban Kukula)

Local Name : The Ceylon Spurfowl
Scientific Name : Galloperdix bicalcarata (Forster)
Sinhala name : Lanka Haban Kukula

About the size of a half-grown village fowl. It is widely distributed in the southern half of the Island, both in the hills, up to 6000 feet and in the low country. Strictly a forest bird. Very secretive, keeps on ground in deep covering the forest, scratching for food. Rarely flies, usually runs from danger. Roosts in trees. It breeds during November-March and July-September.

Sri Lanka Junglefowl(Lanka Wali Kukula)

Local Name : The Ceylon Junglefowl
Scientific Name : Gallus lafayettii Lesson
Sinhala Name : Wali Kukula

Size of a small breed of domestic fowl. It is distributed throughout the island, wherever jungle or dense scrub of any extent is to be found. Mainly found on ground scratching for food, flying up to a branch when threatened. Male crows at dawn. Flaps wings noisily when challenged. Shy where persecuted, can be tame in deep forest. Breeds mostly in December-April and August-September, but possible any time of year.

Sri Lanka Wood PigeonLanka (Mailagoya)

Local Name : The Ceylon Wood Pigeon
Scientific Name : Columba torringtonii (Bonaparte)
Sinhala Name : Mailagoya

About the size of the domestic pigeon, but with a longer tail. This handsome pigeon is confined to the hill forests from 3000 feet upwards to the highest elevations. It is strictly arboreal, feeding on a variety of small jungle fruits and berries. Shy and wary, it usually keeps well concealed in the forest canopy. Its flight is speedy and powerful with rather leisurely wing-beats. Breeds from February-May and again from August-October.

Chestnut Backed Owlet (Lanka Pitathbala Vana Bssa)

Local Name : The Chestnut-Backed Owlet
Scientific Name : Glaucidium castanonotum (Blyth)
Sinhala Name : Lanka Pitathabala Vana-Bassa

About the size of the Common Mynah, but with a fuller plumage. This owlet is found in many parts of the southern half of the Island and in the adjoining hills up to about 6500 feet. It is shy and wary and it frequents tops of tall trees. It is very diurnal in habits, often hunting and calling in broad daylight. Breeds from March to May.

Elephants In Sri Lanka

Their average height (height is measured to the shoulder)goes to about 8 feet (2.5m) and 1800 Kg in weight and consume about 200 kg of foliage and grass per day and plenty of water for drinking and bathing. Female elephants give a birth once in 4 years and 2-3 babies in their life span. get 4 sets of teeth and every 10 years a new set of teeth is coming to get the last set when they are about 40 years old. walk about 20 miles per day and young female elephants are reedy for mating when they are 13 years old. very active in the night and most of them sleep under large trees in the day time. only a few tuskers can be seen in Sri Lanka due to bruthal killings to get their tusks due to high value. However new laws has introduced to protect them and let tomorrow's people too see them.

Elephant is the star of Sri Lanka’s wild life and the largest land animal in the island. among the two verities of African elephants (elephas coxenda) and Indian elephants (elephas maximize maximize), in Sri Lanka you find Indian elephants and considered to be intelligent than their African counterparts hence domesticated.

Although there have been about 36000 elephants with the start of this century it has reduced up to about 2000 due to pouching. according to the recent records about 2000 of them scattered all over the country in small pockets and about 500 of them are domesticated.

Pinnawala Elephant orphanage” is dedicated to help these endangered species and has sofa become a success. Also few National parks like “Udawalawe”, “Lahugala” are mainly reserved for wild elephants. Major attraction of Yala national park is wild elephants. any given time you can see large number of baby elephants and female elephants. In a herd you always find female elephants and sometimes herds of male elephants too could be seen. in case babies are looked after by mother, aunt or another female elephants and male elephants are loners and never live in a group and are attracted in to a group during the mating season (from September to October ) only and most of the parks are closed for visitors during this period.

Some people believe that they have grave yards and come near to a water resource when they are about to die…some do not believe it and say ..when they are old their teeth are wasted and difficulty of consuming heavy branches of trees made them come to a place where there is grass and water.

Pearl of the Indian Ocean

Visit Sri Lanka