Bird Watching

Why Specially Sri Lanka for Bird Watching?

Birdwatchers flock to Sri Lanka in droves. Indian Ocean island 10 degrees north of the equator with diverse and favourable climate patterns. Further, the natural habitats such as forests, scrublands, grasslands, wetlands, sea and agricultural lands make such a wonderful place for birds. It is home to 439 birds, of which 236 are breeding residents, 203 are migrants, and the remainder is non-native species. Having 33 endemic species and 68 unique subspecies of birds with an 11 per cent species endemism shows why Sri Lanka is one of the best birding locations globally. Birds such as parrots, parrotlets and Malkoha parrotlets, Malkoha owls and Malkoha owlet owlets, and endemics such as the Malkoha owl and Malkoha owlet owls and Malkoha owlet owlets, are included in this list.

More than 200 seasonal migratory birds, both terrestrial and aquatic, travel from as far away as Siberia, Scandinavia, and Western Europe to arrive in August/September and depart around April/May. Migrating birds complete their long journeys in Sri Lanka because it is the only landmass between India and the South Pole further south than the Indian subcontinent. The Openbill, Ibis, Heron, Egret, Pelican, Comorant Water-cock, Swamphen and Waterhen are among them. Duck and Grebe are also among the migrants.

For decades, birders worldwide have marvelled at Sri Lanka’s incredible biodiversity. There are 383 species of indigenous birds in the United States, and birders who visit here always expect to see some of the other 381 resident and migratory species. Birding in Sri Lanka has become an unforgettable experience for dedicated birders because of our guides’ in-depth knowledge of the country’s terrain, bird cries, and silhouettes.

Perfect Seasons 

The two unique monsoon seasons in Sri Lanka and the variety of landforms allow for well-planned birding trips throughout the year. Only the months of August to October are off-seasons. When the migratory birds have arrived and the weather has stabilized between November and April, it is frequently considered the most significant time to visit for birdwatching. If you go to the dry regions, you can see hundreds of flamingos flock to the lagoons and waterholes of Mannar and Jaffna in the Northern Province, where you can observe stork, spoonbill, cormorant, and kingfisher feeding on water tanks in these areas. Between May and July, Kumana in the far south-east offers fantastic bird watching chances, allowing for additional options.