List of birds of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a tropical island situated close to the southern tip of India. The bird life of Sri Lanka is very rich for its size and about 433 species have been recorded. In addition to the many resident birds, a considerable number of migratory species winter in the country to escape their northern breeding grounds.
There are 233 species which are resident, of which 26 are endemic. The other resident species are also found in the nearby Indian mainland, but over 80 have developed distinct Sri Lankan races. Some of these races are very different in their plumage characteristics from the related forms in India.
Bird distribution in Sri Lanka is largely determined by its climatic zones. The dry zone is largest of the three, covering more than half of the island, with a prolonged dry and hot period and only one monsoon (the north east monsoon from October to January).
The wet zone, with two monsoons, is in the south western quarter of the island, where the few remaining rain forests are found and humidity is high.
The central hill zone rises to over 2450 m (8-10,000 ft) and has a cool temperate climate. Most of the 26 endemic species are confined to the wet and the hill zones, with only a few extending into the dry zone as well.
Recent updates and sighting information can be obtained through the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka website. The following list is prepared according to An Illustrated Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka on 2010 by Sarath Kotagama and Gamini Ratnavira.
Table of contents |
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Grebes • Shearwaters and petrels • Storm petrels • Tropicbirds • Pelicans • Boobies • Cormorants • Darters • Frigatebirds • Bitterns, herons and egrets • Storks • Ibises and spoonbills • Flamingos • Ducks, geese and swans • Accipitriformes • Galliformes • Turniciformes • Gruiformes • Charadriiformes • Columbiformes • Psittaciformes • Cuculiformes • Strigiformes • Caprimulgiformes • Apodiformes • Trogoniformes • Coraciiformes • Piciformes • Passeriformes |
Grebes
![](../I/m/Little_Grebe_(Non-breeding_plumage)_I_IMG_8202.jpg)
Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-sized diving birds. They breed on fresh water, but often visit the sea whilst migrating and in winter. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers; however, their feet are placed far back on their bodies, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 19 species worldwide. Of these, one species has been recorded in Sri Lanka.
Name | Binomial | Status |
---|---|---|
Little grebe | Tachybaptus ruficollis | Resident |
Shearwaters and petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide of which twelve have occurred in Sri Lanka.[1]
![](../I/m/Short-tailed_Shearwater.jpg)
Common name | Binomial | Status |
---|---|---|
Cape petrel | Daption capense | |
Barau's petrel | Pterodroma baraui | |
Bulwer's petrel | Bulweria bulwerii | |
Jouanin's petrel | Bulweria fallax | |
Streaked shearwater | Calonectris leucomelas | |
Flesh-footed shearwater | Ardenna cameipes | |
Wedge-tailed shearwater | Ardenna pacificus | |
Sooty shearwater | Ardenna griseus | |
Short-tailed shearwater | Ardenna tenuirostris | |
Persian shearwater | Puffinus persicus |
Storm petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
Storm-petrels are small birds which spend most of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to breed. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering or pattering across the water. Their flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 22 species worldwide, two of which has been recorded in Sri Lanka.[1]
Common name | Binomial | Status |
---|---|---|
Wilson's storm petrel | Oceanites oceanicus | |
Swinhoe's storm petrel | Hydrobates monorhis |
Tropicbirds
Order: Phaethontiformes Family: Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are three species worldwide of which two have occurred in Sri Lanka.[2]
Common name | Binomial | Status |
---|---|---|
Red-tailed tropicbird | Phaethon rubricauda | |
White-tailed tropicbird | Phaethon lepturus | |
Pelicans
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
![](../I/m/Spotbilled_pelican.jpg)
Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are eight species worldwide of which three occur in Sri Lanka.[2]
Common name | Binomial | Status |
---|---|---|
Spot-billed pelican | Pelecanus philippensis | Resident, but rare, probably once bred. Globally threatened[3] |
Dalmatian pelican | Pelecanus crispus | Migrant |
Great white pelican | Pelecanus onocrotalus | Migrant |
Boobies
Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae
The gannets and boobies in the family Sulidae are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. There are nine species worldwide of which three have occurred in Sri Lanka.[2]
Common name | Binomial | Status |
---|---|---|
Masked booby | Sula dactylatra | |
Red-footed booby | Sula sula | |
Brown booby | Sula leucogaster | |
Cormorants
Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
![](../I/m/Little_Cormorant-Drying_its_wings_I_IMG_8090.jpg)
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies; the majority of species have mainly dark plumage, but some are pied black and white, and a few are more colourful. There are 38 members of this family worldwide, of which three are resident in Sri Lanka.[2]
Common name | Binomial | Status |
---|---|---|
Indian cormorant | Phalacrocorax fuscicollis | Resident |
Great cormorant | Phalacrocorax carbo | Resident |
Little cormorant | Microcarbo niger | Resident |
Darters
Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae
![](../I/m/Darter_I2m_IMG_8574.jpg)
Darters are often called "snake-birds" because they have long thin necks, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape, and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage, especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving. There are four species worldwide, of which one is resident in Sri Lanka.[2]
Common name | Binomial | Status |
---|---|---|
Oriental darter | Anhinga melanogaster | Resident, but rare and globally threatened, formerly bred[4] |
Frigatebirds
Order: Suliformes Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have coloured inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. There are five species worldwide of which three occur in Sri Lanka.[2] None are resident.
Common name | Binomial | Status |
---|---|---|
Christmas frigatebird | Fregata andrewsi | |
Great frigatebird | Fregata minor | |
Lesser frigatebird | Fregata ariel | |
Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of this family fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide of which 17 occur in Sri Lanka.[5]
![](../I/m/Yellow_Bittern_(Ixobrychus_sinensis)_at_Kolkata_I_IMG_2663.jpg)
very common resident and winter visitor
Common name | Binomial | Status |
---|---|---|
Grey heron | Ardea cinerea | Resident |
Goliath heron | Ardea goliath | |
Purple heron | Ardea purpurea | Resident |
Eastern great egret | Ardea modesta | Resident |
Intermediate egret | Egretta intermedia | Resident |
Little egret | Egretta garzetta | Resident |
Western reef egret | Egretta gularis | Resident, globally vulnerable[6] |
Cattle egret | Bubulcus ibis | Resident |
Indian pond heron | Ardeola grayii | Resident |
Chinese pond heron | Ardeola bacchus | |
Striated heron | Butorides striata | Resident |
Black-crowned night heron | Nycticorax nycticorax | Resident |
Malayan night heron | Gorsachius melanolophus | |
Yellow bittern | Ixobrychus sinensis | Resident |
Cinnamon bittern | Ixobrychus cinnamomeus | Resident |
Black bittern | Ixobrychus flavicollis | Resident |
Eurasian bittern | Botaurus stellaris | |
Storks
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are virtually mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide of which seven occur in Sri Lanka.[5]
![](../I/m/Painted_stork_foraging.jpg)
Common name | Binomial | Status |
---|---|---|
Painted stork | Mycteria leucocephala | Resident |
Asian openbill | Anastomus oscitans | Resident |
Black stork | Ciconia nigra | |
Woolly-necked stork | Ciconia episcopus | Resident |
White stork | Ciconia ciconia | |
Black-necked stork | Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus | Resident, globally threatened[7] |
Lesser adjutant | Leptoptilos javanicus | Resident |
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which comprises the ibises and spoonbills. Its members have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary flight feathers. They are strong fliers and, despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species worldwide of which three occur in Sir Lanka.[5]
Common name | Binomial | Status |
---|---|---|
Black-headed ibis | Threskiornis melanocephalus | Resident, globally threatened[8] |
Glossy ibis | Plegadis falcinellus | |
Common spoonbill | Platalea leucorodia | Resident, globally endangered[9] |
Flamingos
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Phoenicopteridae
Common name | Binomial | Status |
---|---|---|
Lesser flamingo | Phoenicopterus minor | |
Greater flamingo | Phoenicopterus ruber |
Ducks, geese and swans
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide of which 18 occur in Sri Lanka.[10]
![](../I/m/Cotton_Pgymy_Goose_I2-_Kolkata_IMG_4808.jpg)
Common name | Binomial | Status |
---|---|---|
Fulvous whistling duck | Dendrocygna bicolor | |
Lesser whistling duck | Dendrocygna javanica | Resident |
Greylag goose | Anser anser | |
Ruddy shelduck | Tadorna ferruginea | |
Comb duck | Sarkidiornis melanotos | |
Cotton pygmy goose | Nettapus coromandelianus | Resident |
Eurasian wigeon | Anas penelope | |
Gadwall | Anas strepera | |
Common teal | Anas crecca | |
Mallard | Anas platyrhynchos | |
Spot-billed duck | Anas poecilorhyncha | |
Northern pintail | Anas acuta | |
Garganey | Anas querquedula | |
Northern shoveler | Anas clypeata | |
Marbled teal | Marmaronetta angustirostris | |
Red-crested pochard | Netta rufina | |
Common pochard | Aythya ferina | |
Tufted duck | Aythya fuligula | |
Accipitriformes
- Pandionidae: osprey
- Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
- Accipitridae: hawks, eagles, buzzards etc.
- Jerdon's baza, Aviceda jerdoni
- Black baza, Aviceda leuphotes
- Crested honey buzzard, Pernis ptilorhynchus
- Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus
- Black kite, Milvus migrans
- Brahminy kite, Haliastur indus
- White-bellied sea eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster
- Grey-headed fish eagle, Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus
- Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus
- Crested serpent eagle, Spilornis cheela
- Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus
- Pied harrier, Circus melanoleucos
- Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
- Western marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus
- Crested goshawk, Accipiter trivirgatus
- Shikra, Accipiter badius
- Besra, Accipiter virgatus
- Common buzzard, Buteo buteo
- Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus
- Black eagle, Ictinaetus malaiensis
- Bonelli's eagle, Aquila fasciata
- Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus
- Rufous-bellied eagle, Lophotriorchis kieneri
- Changeable hawk-eagle, Nisaetus cirrhatus
- Legge's hawk-eagle, Nisaetus kelaarti
Falconiformes
- Falconidae: falcons
- Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
- Common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
- Amur falcon, Falco amurensis
- Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera
- Oriental hobby, Falco severus
- Eastern peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus calidus
- Shaheen falcon, Falco peregrinus peregrinator[11]
Galliformes
- Phasianidae: partridges, pheasants, quail and allies
- Painted francolin, Francolinus pictus
- Grey francolin, Francolinus pondicerianus
- Rain quail, Coturnix coromandelica
- Blue-breasted quail, Coturnix chinensis
- Jungle bush quail, Perdicula asiatica
- Sri Lanka spurfowl, Galloperdix bicalcarata - endemic
- Sri Lanka junglefowl, Gallus lafayettii - endemic
- Sri Lanka peafowl, Pavo cristatus singhalensis
Turniciformes
- Turnicidae: buttonquail
- Small buttonquail, Turnis sylvatica
- Barred buttonquail, Turnis suscitator
Gruiformes
- Rallidae: rails, crakes and allies
- Slaty-breasted rail, Rallus striatus
- Water rail, Rallus aquaticus
- Slaty-legged crake, Rallina eurizonoides
- Corncrake, Crex crex
- Baillon's crake, Porzana pusilla
- Ruddy-breasted crake, Porzana fusca
- White-breasted waterhen, Amaurornis phoenicurus
- Watercock, Gallicrex cinerea
- Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
- Grey-headed swamphen, Porphyrio poliocephalus
- Common coot, Fulica atra
Charadriiformes
- Jacanidae: jacanas
- Pheasant-tailed jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus
- Rostratulidae: painted snipe
- Greater painted snipe, Rostratula benghalensis
- Dromadidae: crab plover
- Crab plover, Dromas ardeola
- Haematopodidae: oystercatchers
- Common pied oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus
- Recurvirostridae: avocets and stilts
- Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
- Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
- Burhinidae: thick-knees
- Indian stone-curlew, Burrhinus indicus
- Great stone-curlew, Esacus recurvirostris
- Glareolidae: coursers and pratincoles
- Indian courser, Cursorius coromandelicus
- Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
- Oriental pratincole, Glareola maldivarum
- Small pratincole, Glareola lactea
- Charadriidae: plovers
- Yellow-wattled lapwing, Vanellus malabaricus
- Sociable lapwing, Chettusia gregaria
- Red-wattled lapwing, Vanellus indicus
- Pacific golden plover, Pluvialis fulva
- Grey plover, Pluvialis squatarola
- Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
- Long-billed plover, Charadrius placidus
- Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
- Kentish plover, Charadrius alesandrinus
- Mongolian plover, Charadrius mongolus
- Greater sand plover, Charadrius leschenaultii
- Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus
- Oriental plover, Charadrius veredus
- Scolopacidae: typical waders or shorebirds
- Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
- Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa iapponica
- Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
- Slender-billed curlew, Numenius tenuirostris
- Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
- Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
- Common redshank, Tringa totanus
- Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
- Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
- Nordmann's greenshank, Tringa guttifer
- Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
- Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
- Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus
- Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
- Turnstone, Arenaria Interpres
- Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
- Eurasian woodcock, Scolopax rusticola
- Wood snipe, Gallinago nemoricola
- Pintail snipe, Gallinago stenura
- Swinhoe's snipe, Gallinago megala
- Great snipe, Gallinago media
- Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
- Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
- Asian dowitcher, Limnodramus semipalmatus
- Red knot, Calidris canutus
- Great knot, Calidris tertuirostris
- Sanderling, Calidris alba
- Red-necked stint, Calidris ruficollis
- Little stint, Calidris minuta
- Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
- Long-toed stint, Calidris subminuta
- White-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis
- Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata
- Dunlin, Calidris alpina
- Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
- Spoon-billed sandpiper, Eurynorhynchus pygmeus
- Broad-billed sandpiper, Limicola falcinellus
- Buff-breasted sandpiper, Tryngites subruficollis
- Ruff, Philomachus pugnax
- Stercorariidae: skuas
- South polar skua, Catharacta maccormicki
- Antarctic skua, Catharacta antarctica
- Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
- Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
- Laridae: gulls
- Heuglin's gull, Larus heuglini
- Caspian gull, Larus cachinnans
- Sooty gull, Ichthyaetus hemprichii
- Pallas's gull, Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus
- Brown-headed gull, Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus
- Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
- Slender-billed gull, Chroicocephalus genei
- Sternidae: terns
- Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
- White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
- Black tern, Chlidonias niger
- Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
- Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
- Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus
- Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus
- Common tern, Sterna hirundo
- Roseate tern, Sterna dougalli
- White-cheeked tern, Sterna repressa
- Black-naped tern, Sterna sumatrana
- Great crested tern, Thalasseus bergii
- Lesser crested tern, Thalasseus bengalensis
- Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
- Little tern, Sternula albifrons
- Saunders's tern, Sternula saundersi
- Brown noddy, Anous stolidus
- Lesser noddy, Anous tenuirostris
- Black noddy, Anous minutus
Columbiformes
- Columbidae: pigeons and doves
- Rock pigeon, Columba livia
- Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Columba torringtoniae - endemic
- Pale-capped pigeon, Columba punicea
- Oriental turtle dove, Streptopelia orientalis
- Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto
- Red collared dove, Streptopelia tranquebarica
- Spotted dove, Spilopelia chinensis
- Common emerald dove, Chalcophaps indica
- Orange-breasted green pigeon, Treron bicincta
- Sri Lanka green pigeon, Treron pompadora
- Yellow-footed green pigeon, Treron phoenicoptera
- Green imperial pigeon, Ducula aenea
Psittaciformes
- Psittaculidae: parrots
- Sri Lanka hanging parrot, Loriculus beryllinus - endemic
- Alexandrine parakeet, Psittacula eupatrtia
- Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri
- Plum-headed parakeet, Psittacula cyanocephala
- Layard's parakeet, Psittacula calthrapae - endemic
Cuculiformes
- Cuculidae: cuckoos
- Chestnut-winged cuckoo, Clamator coromandus
- Pied cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus
- Common hawk-cuckoo, Hierococcyx varius
- Indian cuckoo, Cuculus micropterus
- Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
- Lesser cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus
- Banded bay cuckoo, Cacomantis sonneratii
- Plaintive cuckoo, Cacomantis passerinus
- Asian emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx maculatus
- Fork-tailed drongo-cuckoo, Surniculus dicruroides
- Asian koel, Eudynamys scolopacea
- Blue-faced malkoha, Phaenicophaeus viridirostris
- Red-faced malkoha, Phaenicophaeus pyffhocephalus - endemic
- Sirkeer malkoha, Taccocua leschenaultii
- Green-billed coucal, Centropus chlororhynchus - endemic
- Greater coucal, Centropus sinensis
- Lesser coucal, Centropus bengalensis
Strigiformes
- Tytonidae: barn owls
- Barn owl, Tyto alba
- Strigidae: typical owls
- Sri Lanka bay owl, Phodilus assimilis
- Oriental scops owl, Otus sunia
- Indian scops owl, Otus bakkamoena
- Serendib scops owl, Otus thilohoffmanni
- Spot-bellied eagle owl, Bubo nipalensis
- Brown fish owl, Ketupa zeylonensis
- Brown wood owl, Strix leptognammica
- Jungle owlet, Glaucidium radiatum
- Chestnut-backed owlet, Glaucidium castanotum - endemic
- Brown hawk-owl, Ninox scutulata
- Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
Caprimulgiformes
- Podargidae: frogmouths
- Sri Lanka frogmouth, Batrachostomus moniliger
- Caprimulgidae: nightjars
- Jungle nightjar, Caprimulgus indicus
- Jerdon's nightjar, Caprimulgus atripennis
- Indian nightjar, Caprimulgus asiaticus
Apodiformes
- Apodidae: swifts
- Indian swiftlet, Collocalia unicolor
- Brown-backed needletail, Hirundapus giganteus
- Asian palm swift, Cypsiurus balasiensis
- Alpine swift, Tachymarptis melba
- Blyth's swift, Apus leuconyx
- Little swift, Apus affinis
- Hemiprocnidae: tree swifts
- Grey-rumped treeswift, Hemiprocne coronata
Trogoniformes
- Trogonidae: trogons and quetzals
- Malabar trogon, Harpactes fasciatus
Coraciiformes
- Cerylidae: water or belted kingfishers
- Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis
- Alcedinidae: river kingfishers
- Common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
- Blue-eared kingfisher, Alcedo meninting
- Oriental dwarf kingfisher, Ceyx erithacus erithacus
- Halcyonidae: tree kingfishers
- Stork-billed kingfisher, Halcyon capensis
- White-throated kingfisher, Halcyon smynensis
- Black-capped kingfisher, Halcyon pileata
![](../I/m/Merops_orientalis%2C_Yala_National_Park%2C_Sri_Lanka.jpg)
- Meropidae: bee-eaters
- Little green bee-eater, Merops orientalis
- Blue-tailed bee-eater, Merops philippinus
- European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
- Chestnut-headed bee-eater, Merops leschenautti
- Coraciidae: rollers
- Indian roller, Coracias benghalensis
- Dollarbird, Eurystomus orientalis
- Upupidae: hoopoe
- Eurasian hoopoe, Upupa epops
- Bucerotidae: hornbills
- Sri Lanka grey hornbill, Ocyceros gingalensis - endemic
- Malabar pied hornbill, Anthracoceros coronatus
Piciformes
- Megalaimidae: barbets
- Brown-headed barbet, Psilopogon zeylanicus
- Yellow-fronted barbet, Psilopogon flavilfrons - endemic
- Crimson-fronted barbet, Psilopogon rubricapillus - endemic
- Coppersmith barbet, Psilopogon haemacephalus
- Picidae: woodpeckers
- Brown-capped pygmy woodpecker, Yungipicus nanus
- Yellow-crowned woodpecker, Leiopicus mahrattensis
- Rufous woodpecker, Micropternus brachyurus
- Lesser yellownape, Picus chlorolophus
- Streak-throated woodpecker, Picus xanthopygaeus
- Black-rumped flameback, Dinopium benghalense
- Crimson-backed flameback, Chrysocolaptes stricklandi
- White-naped woodpecker, Chrysocolaptes festivus
Passeriformes
- Pittidae: pittas
- Indian pitta, Pitta brachyura
- Alaudidae: larks
- Rufous-winged bushlark, Mirafra assamica
- Oriental skylark, Alauda gulgula
- Ashy-crowned sparrow lark, Eremopterix grisea
- Hirundinidae: swallows
- Pale martin, Riparia diluta
- Dusky crag martin, Hirundo concolor
- Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
- Hill swallow, Hirundo domicola
- Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
- Red-rumped swallow, Hirundo daurica
- Sri Lanka swallow, Hirundo hyperythra
- Streak-throated swallow, Hirundo fluvicola
- Motacillidae: wagtails and pipits
- Forest wagtail, Dendronanthus indicus
- Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
- Citrine wagtail, Motacilla citreola
- Grey wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
- White wagtail, Motacilla alba
- White-browed wagtail, Motacilla maderaspatensis
- Richard's pipit, Anthus richardi
- Paddyfield pipit, Anthus rufulus
- Blyth's pipit, Anthus godlewskii
- Olive-backed pipit, Anthus hodgsoni
- Campephagidae: cuckooshrikes
- Large cuckooshrike, Coracina macei
- Black-headed cuckooshrike, Coracina melanoptera
- Small minivet, Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
- Scarlet minivet, Pericrocotus speciosus
- Tephrodornithidae: woodshrikes
- Bar-winged flycatcher shrike, Hemipus picatus
- Sri Lanka woodshrike, Tephrodornis affinis
- Pycnonotidae: bulbuls
- Black-capped bulbul, Pycnonotus melanicterus - endemic
- Red-vented bulbul, Pycnonotus cafer
- Yellow-eared bulbul, Pycnonotus pennicilitatus - endemic
- White-browed bulbul, Pycnonotus luteolus
- Yellow-browed bulbul, Iole indica
- Square-tailed bulbul, Hypsipetes ganeesa
- Aegithinidae: ioras
- Common iora, Aegithina tiphia
- Chloropseidae: leafbirds
- Jerdon's leafbird, Chloropsis jerdoni
- Golden-fronted leafbird, Chloropsis aurifrons
- Irenidae: fairy-bluebirds
- Asian fairy bluebird, Irena puella
- Laniidae: shrikes
- Brown shrike, Lanius cristatus cristatus
- Long-tailed shrike, Lanius schach
- Southern grey shrike, Lanius meridionalis
- Bay-backed shrike, Lanius vittatus
- Turdidae: thrushes and allies
- Pied thrush, Geokichla wardii
- Orange-headed thrush, Geokichla citrina
- Spot-winged thrush, Geokichla spiloptera - endemic
- Sri Lanka thrush, Zoothera imbricata - endemic
- Eurasian blackbird, Turdus merula
- Eyebrowed thrush, Turdus obscurus
- Leiothrichidae: laughingthrushes
- Orange-billed babbler, Turdoides rufescens - endemic
- Yellow-billed babbler, Turdoides affinis
- Ashy-headed laughingthrush, Garrulax cinereifrons - endemic
- Pellorneidae: ground babblers
- Brown-capped babbler, Pellorneum fuscocapillum - endemic
- Timaliidae: babblers
- Sri Lanka scimitar babbler, Pomatorhinus melanurus - endemic
- Tawny-bellied babbler, Dumetia hyperythra
- Dark-fronted babbler, Rhodocichla atricaps
- Locustellidae: Locustellid warblers
- Sri Lanka bush warbler, Elaphrornis palliseri - endemic
- Broad-tailed grassbird, Schoenicola platyura
- Lanceolated warbler, Locustella lanceolata
- Common grasshopper warbler, Locustella naevia
- Pallas's grasshopper warbler, Locustella certhiola
- Acrocephalidae: Acrocephalid warblers
- Blyth's reed warbler, Acrocephalus dumetorum
- Clamorous reed warbler, Acrocephalus stentoreus
- Booted warbler, Iduna caligata
- Phylloscopidae: Phylloscopid warblers
- Greenish warbler, Phylloscopus trochiloides
- Green warbler, Phylloscopus nitidus
- Large-billed leaf warbler, Phylloscopus magnirostris
- Sylviidae: Old World warblers
- Lesser whitethroat, Sylvia curruca
- Yellow-eyed babbler, Chrysomma sinense
- Cisticolidae: cisticolas and allies
- Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
- Grey-breasted prinia, Prinia hodgsonii
- Jungle prinia, Prinia sylvatica
- Ashy prinia, Prinia socialis
- Plain prinia, Prinia inomata'
- Common tailorbird, Orthotomus sutorius
- Muscicapidae: Old World flycatchers
- Blue rock thrush, Monticola solitarius
- Sri Lanka whistling thrush, Myophonus blighi - endemic
- Asian brown flycatcher, Muscicapa dauurica
- Brown-breasted flycatcher, Muscicapa muttui
- Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
- Red-breasted flycatcher, Ficedula parva
- Yellow-rumped flycatcher, Ficedula zanthopygia
- Dull-blue flycatcher, Eumyias sordida - endemic
- Kashmir flycatcher, Ficedula subrubra
- Slaty-blue flycatcher, Ficedula tricolor
- Black-and-orange flycatcher, Ficedula nigrorufa
- White-bellied blue flycatcher, Cyornis pallipes
- Blue-throated flycatcher, Cyomis rubeculoides
- Hill blue flycatcher, Cyornis banyumas
- Tickell's blue flycatcher, Cyomis tickelliae
- Grey-headed canary flycatcher, Culicicapa ceylonensis
- Black-naped monarch, Hypothymis azurea
- Indian paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone paradisi
- White-browed fantail, Rhipidura aureola
- Indian blue robin, Luscinia brunnea
- Black-backed robin, Saxicoloides fulicata
- Oriental magpie robin, Copsychus saularis
- Rufous-tailed scrub robin, Cercotrichas galactotes
- Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
- White-rumped shama, Copsychus malabaricus
- Pied bushchat, Saxicola caprata
- Pied wheatear, Oenanthe pleschanka
- Desert wheatear, Oenanthe deserti
- Isabelline wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina
- Paridae: chickadees and tits
- Cinereous tit, Parus cinereus
- Sittidae: nuthatches
- Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Sitta frontalis
- Dicaeidae: flowerpeckers
- Thick-billed flowerpecker, Dicaeum agile
- White-throated flowerpecker, Dicaeum vincens - endemic
- Pale-billed flowerpecker, Dicaeum erythrorhynchos
- Nectariniidae: sunbirds and spiderhunters
- Purple-rumped sunbird, Nectarinia zeylonica
- Long-billed sunbird, Nectarinia lotenia
- Purple sunbird, Nectarinia asiatica
- Zosteropidae: white-eyes
- Oriental white-eye, Zosterops palpebrosa
- Sri Lanka white-eye, Zosterops ceylonensis - endemic
- Estrildidae: waxbills and allies
- White-throated silverbill, Euodice malabarica
- White-rumped munia, Lonchura striata
- Scaly-breasted munia, Lonchura punctulata
- Tricoloured munia, Lonchura malacca
- Black-throated munia, Lonchura kelaarti - endemic
- Java sparrow, Lonchura oryzivora
- Passeridae: Old World sparrows
- House sparrow, Passer domesticus
- Ploceidae: weavers and allies
- Chestnut-shouldered petronia, Petronia xanthocollis
- Streaked weaver, Ploceus manyar
- Baya weaver, Ploceus philippinus
- Sturnidae: starlings
- White-faced starling, Sturnornis albofrontatus - endemic
- Chestnut-tailed starling, Sturnia malabarica
- Brahminy starling, Sturnia pagodarurn
- Rosy starling, Pastor roseus
- Common myna, Acridotheres tristis
- Sri Lanka hill myna, Gracula ptilogenys - endemic
- Common hill myna, Gracula religiosa
- Oriolidae: Old World orioles
- Indian golden oriole, Oriolus kundoo
- Black-naped oriole, Oriolus chinensis
- Slender-billed oriole, Oriolus tenuirostris
- Black-hooded oriole, Oriolus xanthornus
- Dicruridae: drongos
- Black drongo, Dicrurus macrocercus
- Grey drongo, Dicrurus leucophaeus
- White-bellied drongo, Dicrurus caerulescens
- Sri Lanka drongo, Dicrurus lophorinus
- Artamidae: woodswallows
- Ashy woodswallow, Artamus fuscus
- Corvidae: crows, jays and magpies
- Sri Lanka magpie, Urocissa ornata - endemic
- House crow, Corvus splendens
- Large-billed crow, Corvus macrorhynchos
See also
References
- 1 2 Onley, Derek; Scofield, Paul (2007). Albatrosses, Petrels and Shearwaters of the World (Helm Field Guides). Christopher Helm Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-7136-4332-3.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Harrison, Peter; Peterson, Roger Tory (1991). Seabirds: A Complete Guide to the Seabirds of the World (Helm Identification Guides). Christopher Helm Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-7136-3510-X.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2004). "Pelecanus philippensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2006. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 10 May 2006.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2006). "Anhinga melanogaster". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2006. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is near threatened
- 1 2 3 Walters, Michael P. (1980). Complete Birds of the World. David & Charles PLC. ISBN 0-7153-7666-7.
- ↑ BirdLife International (2004). "Egretta eulophotes". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2006. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is vulnerable
- ↑ BirdLife International (2006). "Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2006. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is near threatened
- ↑ BirdLife International (2006). "Threskiornis melanocephalus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2006. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is near threatened
- ↑ BirdLife International (2006). "Platalea minor". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2006. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 9 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is endangered
- ↑ Madge, Steve; Burn, Hilary (1988). Wildfowl: An Identification Guide to the Ducks, Geese and Swans of the World (Helm Identification Guides). Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-7470-2201-1.
- ↑ de Silva Wijeratne, Gehan; Warakagoda, Deepal; de Zylva, T.S.U. (2007). "Species description". A Photographic Guide to Birds of Sri Lanka. New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd. p. 37. ISBN 978-1-85974-511-3.
- "Splitting headaches? Recent taxonomic changes affecting the British and Western Palaearctic lists" - Martin Collinson, British Birds vol 99 (June 2006), 306-323
Further reading
- A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka by John Harrison and Tim Worfolk
- Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka by G.M.Henry