Hereditary Birds in Sri Lanka

Birds are winged, bipedal, endothermic (warm-blooded), egg-laying, vertebrate animals. There are around 10,000 living species, making them the most varied of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from the 5 cm (2 in) (Bee Hummingbird) to the 2.75 m (9 ft) (Ostrich). The fossil record indicates that birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs during the Jurassic period, around 150–200 Ma (million years ago), and the earliest known bird is the Late Jurassic Archaeopteryx, c 150–145 Ma. Most paleontologists regard birds as the only clade of dinosaurs to have survived the Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction event approximately 65.5 Ma

Now you are ready to read and see some birds which you can see only in Sri Lanka.

01 : Sri Lanka Spur fowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata)

Size : 33cm

The male has shine red-brown upper part and black- white under part. Spur of the legs are grown well and colored with shine red. Brown colored females are not attractive so far as males.

Normally they live in floor areas in humid forests but perch on trees. Mostly, they can be seen as couples and it’s trusted that they live as the one couple forever. And they have a special ability to throwing their voice. So you can’t find them by following its voice. It tries to keep their territory terribly. Breeding period is in common on October – April and may be July – September.

Makes open nest under trees by knocking up arid leafs and particles. They lay pallid eggs from 2 – 5, in degree of 43mm×31mm. (The picture is only a representation.)

02 : Sri Lanka Junglefowl (Gallus lafayetii)

Size: Male - 70cm, Female - 35cm

Males can be apparently make out with it’s body color. Females are not bright, brown colored. They can be made out with their punctated plumage.

In breeding period they keep their territory, show the possession of the territory by the voice, rare to hear the voice in non-breeding periods. Immature males behave as an unbinded group. Mature males join with this group in non-breeding periods. Because of that, male group, females and chicks groups can be seen commonly in this period. They perch on trees at night.

Breeding periods are January – June and August – September. Makes open nest under trees or shrubs by knocking up arid leafs and particles. They lay flecked and off white colored eggs from 2 – 4, in degree of 48mm×35mm. (The picture is only a representation.)

03 : Sri Lanka Yellow-fronted Barbet (Magalaima Flavifrons)

Size: 22cm

They can be made out easily with yellow (golden) forehead, blue face and tiny beak. And they join with the feeding flock in wet zone. Commonly be attached with jungle and can be seen in gardens which near to jungle.

Breeding periods are February – May and August – September. Closed nest. It’s a burrow which burrowed in outworn branch or stock. Some birds use old nests by burrowing moreover. They lay white colored eggs from 2 – 3, in degree of 28mm×21mm. (The picture is only a representation.)

04 : Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis)

Size: 59cm

The body is grey. Graduated tale, tips are white. Males can be made out with cream colored beak and only upper jaw of beak which closes to head is black. The beak of the female is flat black (ash) dichotomy of the beak is blotched. Mostly can be seen as couples. Peregrinate on fruit trees with the flock. Look about milieu slowly by keeping quiet on branches. If the staple food is fruits, sometimes they have tiny insects too. Characteristic voice; undulated flying. After flapping few times glide and again flap.

The male closed the cranny of nested burrow by some stucco which made with it’s dung and clay while female is in side. And he keeps a little space to feed her while she is incubating. (The picture is only a representation.)

05 : Sri Lanka Green Billed Coucal (Centropus chlororhynchus)
Size: 43cm
Light green colored larger beak and more red brown wings are the special characteristics. Shine purple appearance in neck; very coltish; don’t like to loiter outsides. It can be heard the voice which resounded through the dales in breeding periods. It’s as though “bu..u…we…”
Breeding periods are February – September and October– December. Make opened nest which made with sticks, creepers and leaves. They lay harsh and white colored eggs from 2 – 3, in degree of 35mm×27mm. (The picture is only a representation.)