Sri Lanka is one of the finest birding destinations in the world and surely a paradise for Birds. A tropical island in the Indian Ocean known for its diversity along with favorable climatic conditions and natural habitats such as forests, bushes, parklands, agricultural lands, wetlands, ocean, etc. There are several sanctuaries where tourists love to visit and explore bird-watching places in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is home to around 450 species of birds out of which approximately 240 species are breeding residents. A small country like Sri Lanka having 33 endemic species and 68 endemic subspecies of birds is just amazing.
You will find birds including Fowls, Pigeons, Parrots, Parakeets, Owl, Hornbill, Barbet, Owlet, Magpie, Bulbul, Warbler, Babbler, Mynah, Starling, Flycatcher, Flowerpecker, Barbet, Flameback, Woodshrike, Drongo and Swallow.
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Bird watching places in Sri Lanka
There are some amazing bird sanctuaries and national parks in Sri Lanka where people love to visit during their trip to this naturally rich country. The Kumana National Park is one of the most important nesting and breeding grounds in Sri Lanka. On the southernmost, you will find the Bundala National Park which is a favorite birding ground where you can find flocks of flamingos, and storks so often.
The other most visited places are the Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary, Bodinagala Forest Reserve, Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Kitulgala Forest Reserve, Horton Plains National Parks, and many more.
Below is a list of some well-known and popular places for bird watching in Sri Lanka.
Kumana National Park
Kumana National Park is located in the southeast of Sri Lanka, the park is quite popular and well known for various species of birds that breed and roost. If you want to experience authentic jungle wilderness, Kumana National Park is for you.
“Kumana Villu”, a natural swamp lake is one of the main attractions of this park. Birds like pelicans, painted storks, white ibis, herons, egrets, little cormorants, and a rare black-necked stork can easily found in the park.
Apart from the above, Kumana National Park is home to some the mammals such as elephants and leopards. It is one of the must-visit national parks of Sri Lanka.
Bundala National Park
Bundala National Park is situated in the Southern part of Sri Lanka, located pretty close to the wildlife hotspot Yala NP. From the east, this is just 15 km away from Hambantota, whereas to the west, it is around 16 km away from Tissamaharama.
It was declared a National Park in 1993. Later in 2005, UNESCO named it a biosphere reserve. The wealth of salty water lagoons led many migrant species of birds to visit this national park from all around the world.
The best time to visit this place is between November and January, as you will find thousands and thousands of birds during this time, including flamingos, grey herons, painted storks, waterfowls, cormorants, Eurasian spoonbills, and black-necked storks along with 200 other species of birds approximately.
Plan your visit either in the morning or in the evening, so you will have an opportunity to see more and more birds in the park. The entry fee of this national park is around LKR 5000.
Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
This Bird Sanctuary is situated at a southern eastern coastal wetland area, a rich bio-diversity area of Sri Lanka. It is located in the district of Hambantota. You will find some of the amazing species of birds in this sanctuary including bays, coves, lagoons, rocky outcrops, and sandy beaches. Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary recorded 150 species of birds approximately.
The Sanctuary is also popular for other activities like rock climbing, sunset view, bird photography, jungle view, and much more.
Sinharaja Rain Forest
Sinharaja Rain Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the first natural site to be added to UNESCO World Heritage. It is surrounded by Napola Dola and Koskulana Ganga from the north, and from the south-west, it is surrounded by rivers Maha Dola and Gin Ganga. The total area of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve is 18,900 acres or 7,648 hectares. In 1978, Sinharaja Rain Forest was included in the international network of biosphere reserves.
Sinharaja is an ancient footpath near Beverley Tea Estate and by the Denuwa Kanda.
You can reach Sinharaja Forest Reserve via Ratnapura, Kiriella, Kalawana, Weddala. If you are coming from the South you can enter Sinharaja Rain Forest from Deniya.
Sinharaja Rain Forest is a home for common species of mammals and butterflies, along with various insects, reptiles, and rare amphibians.
The forest is compacted with tall trees growing close, with small streams of crystal-clear cool water. You will find a variety of fishes, toads, and crabs as well along with species of birds in the canopy of woods.
Sinharaja Rain Forest is home to many native birds including Ceylon Hanging Parrot, the Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush, Jungle fowl, Spurfowl, Ceylon Wood Pigeon, and Red-faced Malkoha.
Out of the total 20 species of birds, 19 are found in the Sinharaja Reserve, along with mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies.
Bodinagala Forest Reserve
Bodhinagala Forest Reserve is surrounding an ancient Buddhist monastery, it is one of the best bird watching locations in Sri Lanka surrounded by rubber and tree plantations, rich with flora and fauna.
There are 150 species of birds are found in this forest including Green-billed Coucal, Ceylon Spurfowl, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Ceylon Small Barbet, Black-capped Bulbul, etc.
Bodhinagala is also popular for mountain biking, composed of slopes, forest paths, and sparkling streams.
Species of butterflies are also found here along with endemic mammal species including Purple-faced Leaf, Toque Monkeys, and The Grizzled Indian Squirrel.
You can reach Bodhinagala Forest Reserve from Pandura passing Horana and turning right before Ingiriya. Another way to reach Bodhinagala is from Ingiriya passing Awissawella from Colombo.
Peak Wilderness Sanctuary
Peak Wilderness declared as Sanctuary in 1940, situated in the wet zone of Sri Lanka.
It is one of the most conservative areas of Sri Lanka, due to its ecosystem that provides refuge to a large amount of endemic biodiversity. The Sanctuary supports the leftover wet zone elephant population in the country.
Peak Wilderness Sanctuary also holds a spiritual and cultural value because of “Adam Peak”.
Adam Peak is one of the most honored pilgrimages in Sri Lanka, graced by thousands every year. The vigorous climb begins from the wet evergreen habitat of the sanctuary and ends in the midst of the montane forests.
The Sanctuary also provides the perfect opportunity to watch some of the most unique high altitudinal birds in the bioregion.
Kitulgala Forest Reserve
Kitulgala village is 95 km from Colombo, it is situated in the west of Sri Lanka on the Colombo-Avissawella- Hatton Road in the Sabaragamuwa Province.
Kitulgala receives two monsoons every year, is located in the wet zone, having lush green vegetation, and lush mountains. The forest reserve is home to many endemic species of flora and fauna.
You will find here some rare species of birds including Green-billed coucal, Chestnut-backed owlet, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Ceylon jungle, Ceylon lorikeet, Red-faced malkoha, Ceylon blue magpie, Common hill mynah, and many more. You will also find the newly discovered Serendip Scops Owl here.
The mammals commonly seen here are Grizzled-tailed giant squirrel and Red slender loris.
Horton Plains National Park
Well known for its scenic panorama, Horton Plains National Park is one of the best heritage sites in the world, extending above the two lofty mountains Totapola and Kirigalpotta.
Tourists around the world head to this national park and are amazed to see a highland-like structure with plains on one side with broadening mountains and dark jungles on the other.
To see the beauty of this place, you need to wake up early and visit in the morning before 09:00 AM to see clouds roll in.
Take a deep walk into the park to discover the number of lakes, waterfalls, Rock Mountains, and outstanding views of the ocean.
Horton Plains National Park is also covered with thick green forests, with a variety of wild animals and various species of birds.
The best way to reach Horton Plains National Park is from Kandy Airport. Rent a car or hire a cab or taxi after you arrive at Kandy airport to reach your destination. The approximate distance from the Kandy airport to the park is approximately 105 km, it would take around two hours by car.
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