Bird Watching In Sri Lanka

With a tropical climate and relative isolation, Sri Lanka’s biodiversity is remarkable and amazingly varied. Having a birdlife comprising of more than 400 species; including 33 endemic to the country and over 200 migrant birds, Sri Lanka is any birder’s delight. With December declared as the National Bird Month by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka, the best time to plan for a bird watching expedition is between October and April. This is when the many birds land on the island, having flown from as far as India, Siberia, Scandinavia and Western Europe for the winter.

Five Best Birding Spots in the island

Bundala National Park – the renowned wildlife sanctuary can simply be referred to as a giant nest on the island. In addition to the rare Black-necked stork and the Great thick-knee resting on the lagoon waters of the sanctuary, just driving around Bundala offers a colorful view of over a hundred resident and migrant birds.

Sinharaja Rain Forest – a UNESCO World Heritage site, Sinharaja is an endless forest rich with biodiversity and gentle tranquility. Along with the Ceylon Junglefowl, the national bird of Sri Lanka; the rain forest houses 18 of the 33 birds endemic to the country, and is a must visit for the bird watching enthusiasts.

Sigiriya – Sigiriya is commonly famous for its historic fortress. However with its enclosed forests and waterways, the Sigiriya sanctuary will definitely hold the ornithologist’s interest. The crested treeswift, the Ceylon wood shrike, the grey-bellied cuckoo and the orange-headed thrush are some of the endemic birds found in the sanctuary.

Udawalawe National Park – Udawalawe, with its unspoilt park of open scrubland is truly a bird lover’s paradise. Holding a diversity of birdlife close to 150 species, the national park is both enthralling and charming, and is a widely known birding spot in the country.

Yala National Park – Yala is probably the most popular national park in Sri Lanka. Famous for its safaris and wildlife excursions, the Yala National Park is also known for its exotic birdlife. The five blocks of more than 900 kilometers of grasslands, shrubs, lagoons, sand dunes, tanks and rock pools make home close to 215 species of birds that compel you to pick up your binoculars and study them.



Written By: Kavisha Perera