Sri Lanka is a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of India. It is home to a variety of bird species, many of which are endemic to the country.
With its lush forests, wetlands and other habitats, Sri Lanka is a haven for birdwatchers and bird enthusiasts alike. From the majestic Sri Lanka Junglefowl to the curious Sri Lanka Spurfowl, the avifauna of this country is truly remarkable.
Whether you are a beginner or expert birder, there is something to be discovered in the skies of Sri Lanka.
1. Yellow-Fronted Barbet
The Yellow-fronted Barbet is a stunning and vibrant bird native to Sri Lanka. This species has distinctive green plumage, with yellow crowns and patches of blue below their eyes, on their throats and chins.
These birds are quite small in size, measuring only 8.3 – 8.7 inches in length from beak to tail feathers.
They inhabit subtropical or tropical moist forests, wetlands, plantations as well as rural gardens up to an altitude of 2 000 m (6 600 ft).
The diet of the Yellow-Fronted Barbet consists mostly of fruits like figs but they also eat insects such as beetles for protein.
These birds can often bee seen perched high among tree tops calling out its signature ‘pink’ sound which it uses for communication between mates or other barbet species nearby.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Megalaimidae |
| Genus | Psilopogon |
| Species | P. flavifrons |
Also Featured In: Endemic Sri Lanka Birds,
2. Sri Lankan Junglefowl
The Sri Lankan junglefowl is a beautiful bird that has been designated as the national bird of Sri Lanka. It belongs to the Galliformes order and is closely related to red junglefowl, from which chickens were domesticated.
This colorful species has orange-red plumage with black spots on its wings and tail feathers, while its head is adorned by blue and green colors. Males have longer spurs than females.
The birds’ diet consists mainly of insects supplemented by fruits such as centella, grass seeds and grains found in their natural habitat – jungles or forests near water sources like streams or rivers.
They are also attracted to agricultural fields where they feed on crops planted there by humans.
These ground dwelling birds form monogamous pairs during breeding season when males become aggressive towards other males for territorial rights over female mates.
With conservation efforts in place, these majestic creatures continue to thrive in their native environment today.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Gallus |
| Species | G. lafayettii |
3. Sri Lanka Blue Magpie
The Sri Lanka blue magpie is a strikingly coloured bird found only in the forests of Sri Lanka. It has brilliant blue wings and tail feathers, black head with white cheeks, yellow bill, legs and eye-ring making it easily recognisable.
This species is highly active within the dense canopy where it hunts for food using its nimble movements.
Its flight however isn’t strong enough to cover great distances so they rely on their agility instead.
They can also adapt well to human habitation which means that despite being classified as near threatened by IUCN there remains hope for this beautiful bird’s future survival in its native home of Sri Lanka.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Urocissa |
| Species | U. ornata |
4. Orange-Billed Babbler
The Orange-billed Babbler is a vibrant species endemic to Sri Lanka, belonging to the Leiothrichidae family. It was once thought of as a race of Jungle Babblers (Argya striatus), but has since been identified as its own distinct entity.
This bird prefers rainforest habitats and can usually only be seen in deep jungle areas. Its body colouring consists mainly of orange shades with some black markings around the face, wings and tail feathers – giving it an unmistakable appearance.
The babbler feeds on insects, fruit and nectar which it finds by foraging through vegetation or along tree branches in search of food.
An important part of their diet also includes snails which they crush using rocks found near water sources – making them one unique bird indeed.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Leiothrichidae |
| Genus | Argya |
| Species | A. rufescens |
5. Serendib Scops Owl
The Serendib scops owl is a newly discovered species of bird native to Sri Lanka. It was first heard in the Kitulgala rainforest by prominent Sri Lankan ornithologist Deepal Warakagoda, who would subsequently see it six years later on 23 January 2001 in Sinharaja.
The small nocturnal owl was formally described as new to science and given its scientific name Otus thilohoffmanni in 2004.
This unique avian can be found living primarily in forests with dense vegetation, where they roost during the day and hunt insects at night using their acute hearing abilities.
Unfortunately, due to deforestation, this rare owl’s population has been declining rapidly and conservation efforts are being made by various organisations around the world to ensure its survival for future generations.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae |
| Genus | Otus |
| Species | O. thilohoffmanni |
6. Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill
The Sri Lanka grey hornbill is a beautiful and majestic bird, native to the island of Sri Lanka. It belongs to the family of tropical near-passerine birds called Hornbills that are found in Old World.
The species can be identified by its large size measuring up to 45 cm (18 inches) long and its distinctive grayish plumage. In addition, it has an enormous bill with a casque on top giving them their name “Hornbill”.
This gregarious bird lives in forest habitats where it feeds mainly on fruits such as figs, along with other small animals like lizards or insects when available.
Despite being widespread throughout this region, deforestation remains one of the main threats for these magnificent creatures today which makes conservation efforts even more necessary than ever before.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Bucerotiformes |
| Family | Bucerotidae |
| Genus | Ocyceros |
| Species | O. gingalensis |
7. Green-Billed Coucal
The Green-billed coucal is a strikingly beautiful bird, with bright green bills and black heads. It is endemic to Sri Lanka’s wet zone and its population has been declining due to forest destruction and fragmentation.
The average length of the bird stands at 43 cm, making it medium to large in size. It inhabits tall rainforests where it builds nests in bushes or trees near water bodies . Breeding pairs typically lay 2-3 eggs per clutch.
This species feeds mainly on insects such as grasshoppers, caterpillars and moths but will also take lizards when available.
Its call consists of low whistles that can be heard from up close during early morning hours or late evenings within their habitat range .
Conservation measures are needed for this vulnerable species so we can continue appreciating its beauty for generations to come.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Centropus |
| Species | C. chlororhynchos |
8. Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon
The Sri Lanka wood pigeon is a species of endemic resident breeding bird found in the mountains of Sri Lanka. It builds its nest with sticks on trees, laying single white eggs.
Its flight pattern is fast and consists of regular beats and occasional sharp wing flicks – typical for pigeons in general.
The plumage displays shades of purple-blue along with lighter hues across the wings and tail feathers while having a darker hue near its head area.
They are usually seen alone or small groups as they feed mainly on fruits from tall shrubs or trees but also feeds on other items like insects when available.
It’s considered to be one among many diverse wildlife native to this beautiful country.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Columba |
| Species | C. torringtoniae |
9. Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot
The Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot is a small, vibrant bird endemic to the island of Sri Lanka. At only 13 cm long and with a short tail, these birds are an eye-catching sight.
The adult has a red crown and rump while its nape and back have an orange tint that contrasts nicely against its pale blue chin and throat. Its beak is bright red in coloration which compliments white irises perfectly.
Immature birds lack the orange tinge on their backs but still retain the beautiful colors seen in adults; making them quite distinguishable from other species of parrots across Asia.
This particular species continues to thrive throughout Sri Lanka thanks to conservation efforts put forth by local communities who appreciate this unique avian resident for what it brings – beauty, wonderment, joy…and maybe even luck.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Psittaculidae |
| Genus | Loriculus |
| Species | L. beryllinus |
10. Sri Lanka White-Eye
The Sri Lanka White-eye (Zosterops ceylonensis) is a small passerine bird in the white-eye family and it is endemic to Sri Lanka. It lives mainly in highland forests, gardens, and plantations where it nests and breeds year round as a resident species.
The Indian White-Eye (Zosterops palpebrosus) has been found to not be related directly to this species which suggests that the former may have evolved from Zosterops ceylonensis.
These birds are usually greenish olive above with yellowish underparts while their head coloration differs between males & females; males having grey heads while females tend towards brown or black shades on theirs.
They measure 10 cm long from bill tip to tail end making them easily recognizable among other avian populations of similar size range within their habitat range.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Zosteropidae |
| Genus | Zosterops |
| Species | Z. ceylonensis |
11. Yellow-Eared Bulbul
The Yellow-eared Bulbul is a species of songbird found in the highlands of Sri Lanka. It has striking yellow markings on its ear tufts and throat, which give it its name.
The bird was formerly classified under the monotypic genus Kelaartia, named after Dr E.F Kelaart. It feeds mainly on fruits and insects, but can also eat nectar and small vertebrates like lizards or frogs from time to time.
Its large repertoire of vocalizations make it an important part of any forest habitat where they live; their melodic songs are often heard during early morning hours when birdsong fills up the air with musical notes.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Pycnonotidae |
| Genus | Pycnonotus |
| Species | P. penicillatus |
12. Sri Lanka Green Pigeon
The Sri Lanka green pigeon is a beautiful bird native to the forests of Sri Lanka. It is part of the Treron genus, and its scientific name is Treron pompadora.
This species has been split from other members of the pompadour green pigeon complex by many authorities due to its distinct features.
The appearance of this bird can be described as bright green with a white throat patch, yellowish bill and pink legs.
Its diet consists mainly on fruits such as figs which it forages for in woodlands or gardens near forest areas.
Additionally, this species produces an interesting call that sounds like “coo-cooo”.
Due to deforestation and destruction of habitats these birds are critically endangered according to IUCN Red List status criteria so conservation efforts must be made in order protect them from extinction.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Treron |
| Species | T. pompadora |
13. Crimson-Backed Flameback
Crimson-backed Flameback is a species of bird belonging to the woodpecker family Picidae, which is endemic to Sri Lanka. It has an iridescent green and red colored plumage on its back with white breast spots.
The head has black bands at the sides while there are small white patches around eyes and bill base. Its long pointed beak helps it in extracting insects from tree barks or other crevices for food.
This bird can usually be found in lowland rainforest areas as well as evergreen forests up to 2200m elevation but also may occur near home gardens and coconut plantations alongside rivers or streams.
Their call sounds like “sik sik” repeated two times followed by a pause before starting again thus making them easily identifiable even when not visible.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae |
| Genus | Chrysocolaptes |
| Species | C. stricklandi |
14. White-Faced Starling
The White-faced Starling is a beautiful bird belonging to the starling family, found only in Sri Lanka. It typically measures 22 cm long and has greenish-dark grey upperparts with whitish underparts.
Its distinguishing feature is its white face which gives it an elegant look. The male and female birds have similar plumages eliminating any gender differences between them.
It was earlier classified as S. senex but later identified as a junior synonym of Red-billed Starling by Mees (1997).
This species feeds mainly on insects, berries, fruits and nectar from flowers that are available throughout the year in Sri Lanka’s tropical climate zone making this species quite adaptable for survival here.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Genus | Sturnornis Legge, 1879 |
| Species | S. albofrontatus |
15. Chestnut-Backed Owlet
The Chestnut-backed Owlet is a small and stocky bird found only in Sri Lanka. It belongs to the family of typical owls known as Strigidae, which includes most of the smaller owl species.
This species was formerly classified as a subspecies of Jungle Owlet. It has a distinctive chestnut brown back, with light cream-colored stripes on its upper body and head.
Its face is white with black eyes that are surrounded by facial feathers for protection against predators during hunting or nesting activities.
The Chestnut-backed Owlet feeds mainly on insects such as crickets, grasshoppers and moths at night using its sharp talons to catch prey from tree branches or nearby shrubs.
It can also be seen perched atop low trees in search of food during daylight hours where it’s usually silent but will occasionally make soft hooting calls while advertising itself within its territory boundaries.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae |
| Genus | Glaucidium |
| Species | G. castanotum |
16. Layard’s Parakeet
Layard’s parakeet is a beautiful green bird native to Sri Lanka. It grows up to 29 cm long, with its tail extending another 13 cm.
The adult has a bluish-grey head and neck, while the wings are bright green in color with some yellowish feathers on the underside of the flight feathers.
Its underparts are mostly yellow, except for some dark blue patches around its abdomen area.
Layard’s parakeets can be seen singly or in small flocks near rainforest edges, often flying high above trees searching for food such as flowers, fruits and seeds from tall trees or shrubs. They sometimes feed on insects too.
These birds mate during October-November and they build their nest inside tree hollows which usually contain two white eggs that hatch after 22 days of incubation period by female alone while male gives her protection against potential predators.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Psittaculidae |
| Genus | Psittacula |
| Species | P. calthrapae |
17. Legge’s Flowerpecker
Legge’s flowerpecker is a small passerine bird endemic to Sri Lanka, named after the Australian ornithologist William Vincent Legge. It lives in forests as well as other wooded habitats such as gardens and breeds throughout the year.
The birds build their nests from hanging purses that are suspended from branches of trees or shrubs, where they lay two eggs at a time. They feed on nectar and insects which they catch with its short but sharp beak.
These birds have white throats along with an olive-green upper body and yellowish underparts which make them easy to identify in greenery surroundings.
Although these beautiful little creatures can sometimes become victims of predators like cats or snakes, most people enjoy seeing them around because of their colourful appearance.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Dicaeidae |
| Genus | Dicaeum |
| Species | D. vincens |
18. Ashy-Headed Laughingthrush
The Ashy-headed Laughingthrush is a species of Old World passerine bird belonging to the family Leiothrichidae. It has soft, fluffy plumage and can be found in tropical areas mainly located in Southeast Asia.
The laughingthrushes are large birds with a distinct trill that gives them their name – “laughing thurst”.
They have grey heads, upperparts, wings and tail feathers and white underparts accompanied by brown streaks on its back.
This species feeds primarily on insects as well as fruits such as figs or berries depending on availability throughout the year.
Despite being quite common across much of its range it faces threats from habitat destruction due to logging activities which could cause population decline if not managed correctly over time.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Leiothrichidae |
| Genus | Argya |
| Species | A. cinereifrons |
19. Brown-Capped Babbler
The Brown-capped Babbler is a small, endemic bird found in the forests of Sri Lanka. It has a brown cap and its habitat consists of forest undergrowth and thick scrub.
Unlike most other babblers, it does not migrate; instead, it builds its nest either on the ground or inside holes hidden among dense vegetation.
This species typically forages alone but may form small groups when searching for food together.
Its diet mainly consists of insects such as beetles and caterpillars as well as some fruits that can be found in the wilds of Sri Lanka’s forests.
The Brown-capped Babbler makes an excellent addition to any collection due to its beautifully patterned feathers and unique call which contributes to making this bird one of nature’s wonders.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Pellorneidae |
| Genus | Pellorneum |
| Species | P. fuscocapillus |
20. Dull-Blue Flycatcher
The Dull-blue Flycatcher is a beautiful small passerine bird belonging to the Muscicapidae family.
It is an endemic resident breeder found in the hills of central Sri Lanka, typically above 600m altitude but not commonly seen below 900m.
During its main breeding season which occurs during May and June, it prefers staying in deciduous mountain forests where there are plenty of trees for nesting purposes as well as food sources such as insects that make up most of their diet.
These birds have dull blue upperparts with white underparts and wings, dark eyes and long legs helping them move around quickly looking for food or evading predators.
They also possess a sharp bill used to catch prey from the air or take off into flight when threatened by danger.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Eumyias |
| Species | E. sordidus |
21. Thrush
Thrushes are small to medium-sized birds belonging to the Turdidae family, and found all over the world. They live on or near the ground and feed on insects, other invertebrates and fruit.
Their feathers range from greyish browns to deep blues in colour with spotted wings that help them blend into their natural habitats such as forests, woodlands and shrubs.
Thrushes have distinctive songs which they sing during spring mating season; many species also perform complex flight displays for courtship rituals.
These birds may be solitary creatures but can often be seen foraging together in groups or pairs when searching for food sources like worms, snails or berries.
A healthy thrush population is an indication of a balanced environment since they require clean water sources as well as plenty of vegetation cover – making them important indicators of ecosystem health worldwide.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Suborder | Passeri |
| Family | Turdidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
22. Asian Green Bee-Eater
The Asian green bee-eater is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family. It’s native to parts of Asia, stretching from Iran all the way over to Vietnam.
These birds are resident but tend to migrate seasonally and can also be found in Africa and Arabia.
They have bright green feathers on their upperparts with yellowish underparts, making them easy to spot when they’re flying around looking for insects like bees, wasps and dragonflies.
They usually nest burrows dug into sandy ground or riverbanks where they lay up to five eggs at once.
The Asian green bee-eater is an exciting species that has been popular among ornithologists since its discovery hundreds of years ago.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Meropidae |
| Genus | Merops |
| Species | M. orientalis |
23. Crimson-Fronted Barbet
The Crimson-fronted Barbet is an endemic bird species found in the tropical forests of Sri Lanka. It has a mainly green plumage and wings, with a blue band down the side of its head and neck, as well as a black crescent behind its eye.
The barbet stands at 15 cm long with short neck and large head giving it quite unique look among other birds from this region.
This small but colorful bird feeds on fruits, insects and nectar which makes them frequent visitors to gardens where they often make their presence felt through their loud chirps during mating season.
They build nests by making burrows inside branches or tree trunks using twigs sticks that are lined up with feathers from its own body for insulation purposes.
These features coupled together make crimson fronted barbet one of most fascinating species amongst all birds found in Sri Lanka’s rainforest regions.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Megalaimidae |
| Genus | Psilopogon |
| Species | P. rubricapillus |
24. Spot-Winged Thrush
The Spot-winged Thrush is a beautiful bird native to Sri Lanka. It has an unmistakable plumage, with brown spotted wings and head feathers that are white on the top of its crown.
This species breeds in hilly rainforests as well as drier woodlands, from 500m up to 2000m above sea level. During winter months it can be seen in similar habitats but at altitudes between 750 – 1500 m.
Its diet consists mainly of fruit and insects found near riverbeds or other water sources.
The Spot-winged Thrush is listed as vulnerable due to habitat destruction caused by deforestation and agricultural expansion which reduces their natural food sources drastically leading them into extinction.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Geokichla |
| Species | G. spiloptera |
25. Sri Lanka Hill Myna
The Sri Lanka Hill Myna, also known as the Ceylon Myna or the Sri Lankan Myna, is a member of the starling family native to Sri Lanka.
It has glossy black plumage with purple tinges on its head and neck, measuring about 25 cm in length.
Its natural habitat consists of forests and cultivated areas where it builds nests inside holes for laying two eggs per clutch.
This species can be identified by its yellow bill base, red eye-surroundings and white tips on tail feathers which create an impressive contrast against their dark body coloration when viewed from afar.
The bird emits loud vocalizations that are unique to each individual making them great pets if taken proper care of from young age onwards.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Genus | Gracula |
| Species | G. ptilogenys |
26. Lesser Whistling Duck
The Lesser Whistling Duck is a species of whistling duck found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
It has an unmistakable appearance, with its brown body, white-streaked wings and distinctive black tail feathers.
The adult ducks have red bills, eyes and legs with yellowish webbed feet for swimming.
They are generally nocturnal feeders but during the day they can be seen around lakes or wet paddy fields in flocks perching on trees or even building their nest inside tree hollows.
Their diet mainly consists of seeds from aquatic plants as well as small fish, mollusks and insects occasionally taken while wading or diving into water bodies to find food sources.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Dendrocygna |
| Species | D. javanica |
27. Painted Stork
The Painted Stork is a large bird that belongs to the stork family. It has an impressive wingspan and can be found in tropical Asia, ranging from the Indian subcontinent all the way to Southeast Asia.
These birds are unique because of their pink tertial feathers, which gives them their name. They form flocks when they forage in shallow waters near rivers or lakes.
They dip their half-open beaks into water looking for food such as fish, frogs and other small aquatic creatures.
A distinctive feature of these birds is that during breeding season both males and females have red eyes with yellow rings around them.
This species also displays amazing cooperative behaviour when nesting; young storks help build nests by bringing material back to older ones who weave it together forming huge colonies on trees close to wetlands.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Ciconiiformes |
| Family | Ciconiidae |
| Genus | Mycteria |
| Species | M. leucocephala |
28. Red-Wattled Lapwing
The Red-wattled Lapwing is an Asian bird belonging to the family Charadriidae. It has a distinctive loud call which led to it being nicknamed ‘did he do it’ by locals, due to its sound resembling the phrase.
These birds are usually found on open ground and cannot perch like other lapwings. They have black feathers with white wings, back and tail along with reddish wattles near their eyes that give them their name.
Red-wattled Lapwings feed mainly on insects but also eat some plant matter such as seeds or grains.
During breeding season they form strong pair bonds and make nests in shallow depressions of sand or soil lined with vegetation for incubating eggs during mating season before hatching out young chicks in around 25 days after laying eggs.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Vanellus |
| Species | V. indicus |
29. Orange-Breasted Green Pigeon
The Orange-breasted green pigeon is a small bird found across tropical Asia, mainly in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
Generally seen in pairs or small flocks, these birds are known for their quiet demeanor while foraging on trees.
They have blue-grey napes with yellowish green crowns, orange breast feathers along with grey wings and tails.
These pigeons predominantly feed on ripe fruits but also consume nuts and seeds to supplement their diet occasionally.
Due to habitat destruction caused by human activities such as logging of forests, this species has been classified as Near Threatened according to IUCN Red List Criteria from 2006 onwards.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Treron |
| Species | T. bicinctus |
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30. Great Stone-Curlew
The Great Stone-Curlew, also known as the great thick-knee, is a large wader found in tropical southern Asia. It stands out with its long yellow legs and brownish plumage.
This bird was first described by French naturalist Georges Cuvier in 1829 who gave it the scientific name Oedicnemus recurvirostris, with Nepal being its type locality.
The species prefers to inhabit open country like steppes or grasslands where they hunt for prey on foot during night time while keeping watch from high perches during daybreak.
They are monogamous birds that breed between April – June and form strong pair bonds throughout their lifetime.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Burhinidae |
| Genus | Esacus |
| Species | E. recurvirostris |
31. Painted Francolin
The Painted Francolin is a species of francolin found in grassy areas of India and Sri Lanka. During breeding season, they can be identified by their loud calls.
They are mainly distributed south to the Narmada river and east from the Western Ghats mountain range.
This bird has bright chestnut spots on its feathers which gives it an attractive appearance for avian enthusiasts or casual observers alike.
Its strong legs make up for its lack of flying ability as it prefers to run away rather than take flight when disturbed or threatened by predators.
The diet consists mainly of seeds, grains, insects and other small invertebrates that they find while scratching through leaf litter on the ground with their feet – making them very endearing birds indeed.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Francolinus |
| Species | F. pictus |
Also Featured In: Common Birds of Maharashtra,
32. Green Imperial Pigeon
The Green Imperial Pigeon is a majestic bird found in the forests of Nepal, Southern India and Sri Lanka eastwards to southern China, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Measuring at around 37–44 cm long with an average wingspan of 63-71cm, this beautiful creature has deep green plumage on its body along with white patches underneath both wings which make it easily distinguishable from other birds.
In 1760 Mathurin Jacques Brisson described this species as “Le pigeon ramier des Moluques” or “P”. It feeds mainly on fruits like those from fig trees but also eats buds, flowers and arthropods when available.
The Green Imperial Pigeon builds nests mostly high up in tree hollows for protection against predators.
These pigeons are pretty shy animals so it’s important that we do our best not to disturb them while trying to observe their beauty.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Ducula |
| Species | D. aenea |
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33. Indian Swiftlet
The Indian swiftlet is a small swift that is found in the hills of Sri Lanka and south west India. It builds its nest, which consists of thick saliva on vertical surfaces such as cliffs or cave walls, often forming colonies for breeding purposes.
The nests are white and shiny with two eggs being laid inside. This species’ edible-nest variety has become highly sought after as it can be harvested to make bird’s nest soup – deemed an expensive delicacy due to its rarity.
They are also known for their great flying skills; they can reach speeds up to 35 miles per hour while diving through narrow gaps between trees or buildings at amazing speed.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Apodidae |
| Genus | Aerodramus |
| Species | A. unicolor |
34. Kentish Plover
The Kentish plover is an elegant shorebird found around the world in coastal areas, saline lakes and lagoons. Both males and females have pale plumages with a white underside, grey/brown back, dark legs and a black bill.
The male birds however feature one extra distinction; they sport chestnut crowns on their heads.
During mating season the males are known to perform elaborate courtship displays – flying up high into the air before diving rapidly towards its partner while singing loudly.
They can be seen nesting among rocks or sand dunes close to water bodies where they use broken shells as building material for their nests.
This species of bird provides many benefits including controlling insect populations near coasts as well as providing food sources for larger predators such as raptors during migration times when prey is scarce.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Charadrius |
| Species | C. alexandrinus |
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35. Malabar Pied Hornbill
The Malabar pied hornbill is an incredible bird found in the Old World. It has a unique appearance due to its black and white colouration, with a large yellow beak that curves downwards at the tip.
This species was first described by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon in 1780 and illustrated in his Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux book.
The diet of this bird consists mainly of fruit, small reptiles and insects which they catch while flying through trees or on the ground during their daily activities.
They have been known to form monogamous bonds within pairs over long periods of time as well as being highly social creatures living together in flocks for protection against predators such as snakes and raptors.
Overall, these birds are fascinating creatures with amazing adaptations that allow them to survive even under difficult environmental conditions.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Bucerotiformes |
| Family | Bucerotidae |
| Genus | Anthracoceros |
| Species | A. coronatus |
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36. White-Throated Kingfisher
The White-throated Kingfisher is a beautiful bird with bright colors and distinct features. Its back, wings and tail are a deep blue while the head, breast, throat and belly are white.
It has two black stripes across its eyes which contrast nicely against its orange beak and feet.
These birds can often be found perching on tree branches or hovering over creeks in search of food like fish or small insects such as grasshoppers or crickets.
They use their sharp bill to pluck prey from water surfaces then swallow them whole after making adjustments for size by beating it against rocks if necessary.
The White-throated Kingfisher breeds during monsoon season when rainfall increases levels in rivers leading to an abundance of aquatic life that these birds love so much.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Subfamily | Halcyoninae |
| Genus | Halcyon |
| Species | H. smyrnensis |
37. Indian Spot-Billed Duck
The Indian spot-billed duck is a large dabbling duck found throughout freshwater wetlands in the Indian subcontinent. It gets its name from the red spot at the base of its bill, which is only seen on mainland birds.
Distinctive white tertials form a stripe down their sides, making it easy to recognize them even when far away.
They feed mainly on aquatic vegetation and invertebrates including molluscs and insects but will also consume some grains and fruits during dry seasons or if food becomes scarce.
When not breeding they can be found in flocks with other ducks such as teals or pochards.
Breeding season varies by region but typically takes place between March–May, where pairs build nests close to water usually among reeds or grasses lining ponds, marshes, rivers etc..
The female incubates her eggs for around 24 days before hatching occurs; afterwards both parents care for their young until they fledge after 45-50 days old.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. poecilorhyncha |
38. Blue-Faced Malkoha
The Blue-faced Malkoha is a beautiful and unique bird which can be found in the scrub and deciduous forests of India and Sri Lanka.
It has an impressive waxy, dark blue-grey plumage on its upperparts with a long tail having graduated white-tipped feathers.
Its throat and chin are darker than other parts of its body but still have spiny pale feathers that branch out from it.
The lower belly usually displays a dusky hue while the wings are brownish grey at their base fading to light brown at tips.
This species also has distinctive green bill giving them their name ‘Small Green Billed’ malkohas’.
They mainly feed on insects or fruits depending upon availability making them omnivorous birds by nature.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Phaenicophaeus |
| Species | P. viridirostris |
39. Common Emerald Dove
The Common Emerald Dove is a beautiful bird that can be found in tropical and subtropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
Its distinctive features include its grey-capped head, while its wings are an emerald green colour.
It has also earned itself the nickname “green dove” or “green-winged pigeon”. This species plays an important role in Tamil Nadu’s ecology, which makes it fitting for them to have named it their state bird.
The Pacifric Emerald Dove is closely related to this species but they differ slightly in appearance and habitat preferences; however both make great pets due to being gentle by nature.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Chalcophaps |
| Species | C. indica |
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40. White-Breasted Waterhen
The White-breasted Waterhen is a stunning species of bird from South and Southeast Asia. It has a striking appearance, with its dark slaty plumage contrasted by the clean white of its face, breast and belly.
This bold waterbird can often be seen slowly walking around marshes or even drains near busy roads with its tail held upright in an unmistakable pose.
They are omnivores which feed on both plants and small animals such as insects and invertebrates.
The White-breasted Waterhen plays an important role in their ecosystems as they help to keep it balanced by consuming pests that could potentially cause damage to crops or other plant life if left unchecked.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Amaurornis |
| Species | A. phoenicurus |
41. Common Redshank
The Common Redshank is a wading bird found in Eurasia. It has long, red legs and dark grey wings. The body of the bird is brownish-grey with white patches on its sides and back.
Its bill is pointed and yellow to orange in colour, while its eyes are black or dark brown.
During migration they can be seen around coasts, estuaries and marshes where they feed mainly on small aquatic invertebrates such as worms, crustaceans and molluscs which it finds by probing mudflats with its bill.
They nest near wetland areas laying two to four eggs at a time during April or May depending on their location within Europe/Asia.
Redshanks often form large flocks when migrating southwards for wintering grounds in Africa or Asia making them easily visible from shorelines.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Tringa |
| Species | T. totanus |
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42. Rufous-Bellied Eagle
The Rufous-bellied Eagle is an impressive bird of prey found in tropical Asia. Though relatively small compared to other eagles, its contrasting pattern resembles that of a falcon.
It was formerly placed into the genus Hieraaetus and Aquila but it has since been recognized as having enough distinct features to warrant its own family Accipitridae. This powerful raptor preys on small birds and mammals such as rodents, making it an important predator in its habitat.
Its diet also consists of reptiles, amphibians and insects on occasion. With their wide wingspan they soar high above the forest canopy looking for food or potential mates. They are very vocal during breeding season so keep your ears open if you’re lucky enough to spot one.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Lophotriorchis Sharpe, 1874 |
| Species | L. kienerii |
43. Black-Tailed Godwit
The Black-tailed Godwit is a species of large shorebird that was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
These beautiful birds have an orange head, neck and chest during breeding season while they turn to grey-brown coloration in winter.
They are easily identifiable due their black and white wingbar throughout the year. As for its habitat, these godwits breed mostly on Iceland but also across Europe, eastward through Asia Minor all the way to Mongolia; some even winter further south in Africa or India.
The Godwit has adapted well to human presence as it can be found close to wetlands near farms or villages where plenty of food is available from ploughed fields.
It’s really amazing how such a majestic bird with colorful plumage manages so successfully at this day and age.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Limosa |
| Species | L. limosa |
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44. Yellow-Wattled Lapwing
The Yellow-wattled Lapwing is a stunning bird native to the Indian Subcontinent. It has an unmistakable appearance, with its grey brown body and black cap contrasting sharply against its bright yellow legs and triangular wattle at the base of its neck.
Not only does this make it easily identifiable, but also makes it quite attractive in appearance.
The bird is capable of fast flight and has a sharp call which can be heard over long distances on dry plains across peninsular India.
Although they don’t migrate, they do make seasonal movements depending on rainfall patterns in their locale making them adaptive birds too.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Vanellus |
| Species | V. malabaricus |
45. Greater Coucal
The Greater Coucal is a large, crow-like bird that belongs to the Cuculiformes order. It has a long tail and coppery brown wings.
These birds are found in many habitats across India and Southeast Asia, ranging from jungles to suburban gardens.
They feed on insects as well as small vertebrates such as frogs, lizards or snakes which they capture with their strong beak.
The males have glossy black plumage while females are dark brown above with buff underparts.
During breeding season these birds make loud croaking calls and can often be heard at night when they become active after sundown looking for food sources like termites or grasshoppers between bushes or low branches of trees close by water bodies like rivers, lakes etc.
This species plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance in its habitat by controlling pest populations through predation so it is essential that we protect them from hunting and other threats for future generations to enjoy.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Centropus |
| Species | C. sinensis |
46. Pin-Tailed Snipe
The Pin-tailed Snipe is a species of bird belonging to the family Scolopacidae. It breeds in northern Russia and migrates south during non-breeding seasons, travelling as far as Pakistan, Indonesia and even Australia.
This remarkable little bird has adapted well to its environment; it prefers wetland habitats such as marshes for breeding season and open grassy areas with low vegetation when migrating.
Its diet consists mainly of insects, worms and molluscs which are found on or near the ground amongst dense vegetation.
The pin-tailed snipe’s plumage helps camouflage it from predators while searching for food along damp grounds.
All in all this small yet resilient creature is an amazing example of evolution at work.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Gallinago |
| Species | G. stenura |
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47. Swinhoe’s Snipe
Swinhoe’s snipe is a species of wader, medium-sized with long bills. It was first described in 1861 by the British naturalist Robert Swinhoe and has since earned its common name after him.
This bird can be identified through its patterned plumage which consists of black, brown, buff and white colors.
The length varies between 27 -29 cm while wingspan ranges from 38 to 44 cm; it weighs about 120 gm on average.
It breeds across much of eastern Asia during summer months before migrating southwards for wintering grounds which are mainly located along coasts in Taiwan and other parts southern China as well as Japan & Korea .
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Gallinago |
| Species | G. megala |
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48. Wood Snipe
The Wood Snipe is a species of snipe found in the Himalayas from northern India, Nepal and Bhutan to southern China. It has dark plumage making it quite difficult to spot as it forages on open grasslands or wet meadows.
During winter months these birds travel down to lower altitudes in search for food where they are seen more commonly by bird watchers.
The Wood Snipe can also be spotted as an occasional vagrant throughout central and southern India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar , North Thailand and Laos .
They feed mainly on insects which they pick up off the ground with their long bill while walking around looking for food.
In addition to this diet they are known to consume some vegetable matter such as seeds when available during winter season.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Gallinago |
| Species | G. nemoricola |
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49. Crested Serpent Eagle
The Crested serpent eagle is a majestic bird of prey found across tropical Asia. With its prominent black and white crest, this medium-sized raptor can be seen soaring above forests in search of food.
It has an extensive range which includes the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and East Asia; some experts even argue that certain subspecies should be treated as separate species altogether.
This magnificent creature feeds on small animals such as lizards or rodents but will occasionally take larger birds or mammals if it gets the chance.
The Crested serpent eagle remains one of nature’s most impressive creatures to behold.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Spilornis |
| Species | S. cheela |
50. Bee-Eater
Bee-eaters are one of the most beautiful and vibrant birds in existence. They have a slender body, long wings, down turned bills and their signature elongated central tail feathers which make them instantly recognizable from afar.
Their plumage is incredibly colorful with many shades ranging from blues to greens to reds that glisten when they fly through the air.
These stunning creatures can be found all over Africa, Asia, Southern Europe, Australia and New Guinea where they feed mainly on bees but also other insects like flies or wasps as well as small mammals such as lizards or rodents.
Bee-eaters live in colonies near rivers or wetlands so that they may easily hunt for food while staying close together for safety purposes.
Additionally it allows them to better display their impressive courtship dances during mating season.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Meropidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
51. White-Bellied Sea Eagle
The White-bellied sea eagle is an impressive large bird of prey that belongs to the Accipitridae family.
It was first described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1788 and it is closely related to Sanford’s sea eagle found in the Solomon Islands.
The adult white-bellied sea eagles have a stunning appearance with their white heads, dark brown bodies, and long wings which span up to 1.8 meters across.
They can be seen soaring above coastal areas searching for fish, reptiles or small birds as they hunt for food.
These majestic creatures are also known for being incredibly vocal when nesting – making loud cackling noises at dawn and dusk near riverside forests.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Haliaeetus |
| Species | H. leucogaster |