Birding Tour Sri Lanka: Island Endemics and Wintering Jewels

Sri Lanka birding tour: Island Endemics and Wintering Jewels
January 2026

This exclusive small-group birdwatching tour of Sri Lanka explores the picturesque continental island situated at the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent where we go in search of the country’s mouthwatering endemic birds and wintering specialties.

Sri Lanka is home to 34 currently recognized IOC endemic species, with some of the most impressive ones including the rare Sri Lanka Spurfowl, the gaudy Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Layard’s Parakeet, the shy, thicket-dwelling Red-faced Malkoha, the tiny Chestnut-backed Owlet, the common Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Yellow-eared Bulbul, the spectacular Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, the cute Sri Lanka White-eye, and the tricky, but worth-the-effort trio of Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, Sri Lanka Thrush, and Spot-winged Thrush. We will also look for the relatively recently discovered (2001), Endangered (IUCN), range-restricted, and endemic Serendib Scops Owl, which we will hopefully find on its day roost, as we hope to do with the shy and secretive Sri Lanka Bay Owl too.

Sri Lanka Frogmouth can often be found during the daytime.

This tour is also timed to coincide with the presence of several overwintering species in the country that are difficult to find at their breeding grounds; these include the boldly patterned and highly skulking Pied Thrush, the pretty Kashmir Flycatcher, and the simply stunning Indian Pitta. There are also plenty of other exciting species possible, such as Lesser Adjutant, Indian Blue Robin, Indian Peafowl, Legge’s Hawk-Eagle, Orange Minivet, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Forest Wagtail, Malabar Trogon, and Sri Lanka Frogmouth (surprisingly not a Sri Lankan endemic, given its English name; it also occurs in southern India in the Western Ghats, as do a couple of the other birds listed above such as the trogon). Furthermore, Sri Lanka is the westernmost representative of Indo-Malayan flora, and its abundant birdlife also shows many such affinities.

This tour also offers plenty of wildlife-viewing opportunities with Asian Elephant, the Sri Lankan endemic subspecies of Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), and Blue Whale all being possible, along with a range of monkeys, squirrels, and deer. The itinerary covers a variety of habitat types, including lowland, monsoon and cloud forests, grasslands, lagoons, coastal mudflats, fresh and brackish waterbodies, imposing riverine woodland, and forest, and will include a pelagic trip off Sri Lanka’s southwest coast into the sparkling Indian Ocean.

Found only in Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats (in India), Malabar Trogon is sure to delight

You could combine this tour with our exciting Birding Tour India: Andaman Islands Endemics, designed specially to follow this Sri Lanka tour. This extension will look for numerous endemic birds, including Andaman Serpent Eagle, Andaman Masked Owl, Hume’s Hawk-Owl, Andaman Hawk-Owl, Andaman Woodpecker, and many more!

We have many other Indian tours following after this tour, details of which can be found here.

Itinerary (14 days/13 nights)

Day 1. Arrive in Katunayake and transfer to your hotel near the airport

Arrival in Sri Lanka at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake and transfer to your nearby hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure. We will have a group dinner together in the evening, our first of many wonderful local meals; the food in Sri Lanka is great!

Overnight: Katunayake 

Day 2. Kitulgala for lowland endemics and specialties

We will leave the hotel after breakfast, heading toward the west to our first birding base, the lush lowlands of Kitulgala.

Roadside birding in Sri Lanka is refreshingly good. Blue-tailed Bee-eater, White-throated Kingfisher, White-bellied Drongo, Indian Roller, Sri Lanka Swallow, Scaly-breasted Munia, Brown Shrike, Indian Jungle Crow, Yellow-billed Babbler, Oriental Magpie-Robin, and Ashy Woodswallow are often seen perched on wires. Though we will no doubt see them again and again, these wayside temptations will be hard to resist. The odd Crested Serpent Eagle and Changeable (Crested) Hawk-Eagle, sentinels on posts, will almost certainly bring our vehicle to a halt. The more common waterbirds such as Red-wattled Lapwing, Indian Pond Heron, Eastern Cattle Egret, Intermediate Egret, Black-winged Stilt, and Asian Openbill will certainly not be ignored either.

Changeable (Crested) Hawk-Eagle is one of a number of raptors to see on this tour.

With all these leg-stretching stops it will be close to midday by the time we reach our overnight accommodation, nestled in a well-wooded garden and overlooking the Kelani River, the setting for the renowned ’50s Hollywood blockbuster “The Bridge on the River Kwai”.

After enjoying our first of many rice-and-curry lunches we will commence our quest for the island’s endemics in the well-wooded garden of our lodge. The resonant call of Yellow-fronted Barbet is likely to demand our attention first – a common element in the soundscape of the wet Sri Lankan hinterland. The gregarious Orange-billed Babbler with its constant chattering will be easier to locate. A gem of a bird, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot – with its specific name beryllinus named after beryl, a semi-precious stone found in Sri Lanka – may require scope views to properly take in its scarlet forehead and rump patch against a greener body.

Our night bird tally is likely to get ticking with the adorable Chestnut-backed Owlet at a stakeout. The well-wooded, home-garden-type birding, combining several patches of habitat, will add a mouthwatering array of birds to our tally in the form of the newly raised-to-endemic Sri Lanka Swallow (perched views on wires), Sri Lanka Green Pigeon,  Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Square-tailed Bulbul, White-browed Bulbul, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Orange-billed Babbler, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Black-rumped Flameback, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, Sri Lanka Hill Myna, Common Iora, Purple-rumped Sunbird, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Orange Minivet, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Forest Wagtail, and perhaps Layard’s Parakeet, named after E. L. Layard, a 19^th century British civil servant, who added an astonishing 136 species to Sri Lanka’s avian inventory.

Overnight: Kitulgala

Day 3. Full day birding in Kitulgala for lowland endemics and specialties

Spot-winged Thrush may greet the new day with its rhythmic dawn chorus, and it may perhaps come hopping in to find an easy meal at first light. The “pretty-dear” call, likely to be heard in the undergrowth, may betray a flock of Brown-capped Babblers moving low. The Himalayan delight, Indian Pitta, might also be not too far, if you scan well. With more light of the day the dawn chorus may peak with additional tunes of Green Warbler, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, and the aforementioned thrush, with harsher greetings from Chestnut-backed Owlet.

Our morning’s birding will add a huge boost to our trip list with the likes of Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Sri Lanka Drongo, Lesser Yellownape, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Black-naped Monarch, Black-capped Bulbul, Oriental White-eye, and Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill.

We will cross the Kelani River in search of rarer gems. Foremost among these is the Serendib Scops Owl, discovered in 2001 and with an estimated population of only 200 – 250 birds in the wild. We will look for it at a daytime roost. The ultra-secretive Sri Lanka Spurfowl may require patience, as it is highly wary of people. Crimson-backed Flameback also occurs in this forest and is a gorgeous woodpecker. During the return journey we will pause at a forest patch to look for a roosting pair of Sri Lanka Frogmouth, which is a South India and Sri Lanka endemic.

Overnight: Kitulgala

Day 4. Drive to the endemic hotspot Sinharaja Forest Reserve

After some early morning birding and breakfast we will drive to the amazing Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which represents the largest expanse of lowland rainforest in Sri Lanka and the premier site for endemics, where we will get started on the birds listed for days 5 and 6.

Overnight: Sinharaja

Days 5 – 6. Two days birding Sinharaja for lowland endemics and mixed-species flocks 

We will have two full days in this birding hotspot, and we are sure to see many great birds. A highlight of birding in Sinharaja is seeing mixed-species bird flocks, which is a strategy adopted by birds in the tropics to maximize feeding efficiency and to reduce the risk of predation; these flocks are likely to be led by Orange-billed Babbler and Sri Lanka Drongo. The star of this coterie of flock-associated specials is the enigmatic Red-faced Malkoha – a canopy-dwelling endemic, found typically at heights of 25-35 meters (82-115 feet), with a remarkable ability to melt away into dense thickets. White-faced Starling too keeps to the canopy. Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, in comparison, is found in bottom levels of the flock, often scratching the forest floor for insect prey, and Malabar Trogon hawks insects in the subcanopy and remains largely silent.

No ordinary chicken! A regal Sri Lanka Junglefowl looking back at our group

Further target birds we will look for include the montane endemic Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, which descends to Sinharaja in search of seasonal fruits. With the right technique more bonus birds will come our way in form of Sri Lanka Thrush, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka Hill Myna, Indian Blue Robin, Slaty-legged Crake, and Indian Cuckoo.

Sri Lanka Blue Magpie is gorgeous and can at times be quiet as it moves through dense vegetation, giving occasional great and close views.

Finding an Indian Paradise Flycatcher sporting its white ribbon-like tail streamers that are nearly a foot in length may be a possibility if we encounter a good flock. Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, another migrant that joins flocks, may, however, present a tougher challenge, as it is not as regular. We will also try for forest raptors like Besra and Crested Goshawk, which lurk behind flocks to catch birds. During the day we may perhaps hear the blood-curdling screams of Sri Lanka (Grizzled) Giant Squirrel, which would betray the presence of more formidable forest raptors such as Legge’s Hawk-Eagle and Black Eagle, soaring high above the canopy. In addition to the above we will try to obtain improved views of the endemics already seen and try to again experience the magic of mixed-species bird flocks.

Overnight: Sinharaja

We will hope to get great views of the rare and secretive Sri Lanka Spurfowl.

Day 7. Sinharaja and travel to Mirissa

After a final morning birding in Sinharaja we will head to the beautiful southern coast of Sri Lanka at Mirissa to get into a suitable location for the pelagic trip tomorrow.

Overnight: Mirissa

Day 8. Morning whale-watching tour, afternoon travel to Tissamaharama

We will be up early for a really exciting prospect, the chance to go whale watching in the stunning Indian Ocean for the morning. Our main target species is the largest mammal on the planet – the magnificent and unrivaled Blue Whale, which can reach lengths of over 30 meters (over 100 feet)! Seeing these huge creatures will be hard to beat, although we could also possibly find Sperm Whale, Bryde’s Whale, Orca (Killer Whale), Short-finned Pilot Whale, Risso’s Dolphin, Spinner Dolphin, or Long-beaked Common Dolphin. A range of seabirds are possible (e.g. Bridled Tern, Pomarine Jaeger (Skua), Wilson’s Storm Petrel, Brown Noddy, etc.); however, our main focus of the pelagic is on the sea mammals.

Brown Noddy should be seen on our whale-watching tour

After the pelagic trip we will move up the coast to Tissamaharama, our base for a couple of nights as we explore this excellent area for a wide range of birds. On arrival in the area we will head into some wetlands to start looking for some of the birds listed below.

Overnight: Tissamaharama

Day 9. Morning birding at Bundala National Park, afternoon Yala National Park

We will spend the morning birding the fascinating habitats of Bundala National Park, Sri Lanka’s first Ramsar site. This is the premier site for waterbirds, and you can often get close to the birds in the vehicles to get very good photographic opportunities.

We will get there as early as possible to maximize our time in this wonderful set of habitats. Some of the species possible here are Black Bittern, Yellow Bittern, and Cinnamon Bittern, Watercock, Great Stone-curlew, Indian Stone-curlew, Eurasian Curlew, Marsh Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Little Stint, Kentish Plover, Red-necked Phalarope, Small Pratincole, Western Reef Heron, Striated Heron, Little Egret, Black-headed Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-necked Stork, Little Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Oriental Darter, Spot-billed Pelican, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Garganey, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Caspian Tern, White-winged Tern, Whiskered Tern, Common Tern, Greater Crested Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, Little Tern, Brown-headed Gull, and Greater Flamingo. Other species possible in the area include Clamorous (Indian) Reed Warbler, Eurasian Hoopoe, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Brown Fish Owl, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, and Ashy Drongo.

Cinnamon Bittern can be seen at Bundala National Park.

Further species we will look for include Barred Buttonquail, Painted Stork, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Greater Painted-snipe, Terek Sandpiper, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Blue-faced Malkoha, Sirkeer Malkoha, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Indian Pitta, Forest Wagtail, Oriental Skylark, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Rosy Starling, Streaked and Baya Weavers, and Indian Silverbill. There really is a huge list of potential species here, and we are bound to have a great time.

In the afternoon we will move the short distance into the nearby Yala National Park for a game drive to look for the Sri Lankan endemic subspecies of Leopard. Here we will also likely come across some of the birds found at Bundala (listed above) and at Udawalawe (listed below). There is also a good chance of finding Asian Elephant here, which is always a treat.

Overnight: Tissamaharama

Day 10. Drive to Udawalawe National Park for dry-zone specialties

In the morning we drive to the dry lowlands of Udawalawe National Park. After checking in at the accommodation we will explore this fantastic park in search of dry-zone birds, which abound here.

The birds on offer here include Sri Lanka Woodshrike, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Green Bee-eater, Blue-faced Malkoha, Coppersmith Barbet, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Rosy Starling, Jacobin Cuckoo, Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Jerdon’s Bush Lark, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Indian Pitta, White-browed Fantail, Little Swift, Brahminy Starling, Paddyfield Pipit, Blyth’s Pipit, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Spot-billed Pelican, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Painted Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, Indian Peafowl, Indian Robin, Black-winged Kite, and Indian Stone-curlew.  Migrant species like Red-rumped Swallow (with paler red belly and rump). Western Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, and Citrine Wagtail may show up too.

Painted Stork can be seen in Udawalawe National Park.

Other birds we will be on the lookout for at Udawalawe National Park include dry-zone specials such as Malabar Pied Hornbill, Sirkeer Malkoha, Indian Silverbill, Barred Buttonquail, Lesser Adjutant, and if lucky Brown Fish Owl. With its vast open expanses the park also harbors a rich diversity of exciting raptors, such as Changeable (Crested) Hawk-Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Western Osprey – a local rarity, Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier – another rarity, Booted Eagle, Shaheen – the resident subspecies of Peregrine Falcon, Common Kestrel, Crested Honey Buzzard, and Shikra. In addition to excellent birds a visit to Udawalawe also presents a good opportunity to observe Asian Elephant and Wild Water Buffalo, both of which are found in good numbers in the park.

Green Bee-eater is one of the species we hope to encounter in Udawalawe National Park.

As dusk approaches we will look for Indian Nightjar and Jerdon’s Nightjar in the scrub near our accommodation, likely serenaded by a chorus of Indian Pittas as the sun sets.

Overnight: Udawalawe

Day 11. Transfer to Nuwara Eliya and high-elevation birding

After some more early-morning birding in the Udawalawe area we will commence our ascent to reach the cooler interiors of Nuwara Eliya at 1,890 meters (6,200 feet). We will stop for any good birds noted along the way, but principally the morning is for driving today. Nuwara Eliya is the most famous hill station in Sri Lanka, named by some “Little England”, as it still bears evidence of its colonial past with its English-style holiday homes, an urban park, a few pubs, flower gardens, and a fine 18-hole golf course. As we ascend vast stretches of tea gardens dominate the landscape, a cash crop introduced by the British, which is currently the country’s third-highest revenue earner. A serious drop in temperature of around 10-15 degrees Celsius (50-59 degrees Fahrenheit) at Nuwara Eliya will necessitate sweaters!

Once we reach the town we will explore Victoria Park. Established in 1897 to commemorate the 60^th coronation jubilee of Queen Victoria, this urban park is the prime location for Western Himalayan migrants, including Kashmir Flycatcher and Pied Thrush, which winter almost exclusively in Sri Lanka. Indian Pitta, Indian Blue Robin, Forest Wagtail, Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler, Indian Blackbird, and Sykes’s Warbler are some of the other good birds to be found in this park.

We will look on the ground for the gorgeous Indian Blue Robin.

At the end of the day we will reach our cozy highland lodge, where we will stay for two nights.

Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

Day 12. Nuwara Eliya, looking for montane endemics and other specials 

We will have an early start with a picnic breakfast to get to the high-elevation Horton Plains National Park, where we will spend time in the forest looking for high-value montane targets: Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Dull-blue Flycatcher, Sri Lanka White-eye, and Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon. Mixed-species bird flocks are to be found in this forest, comprised of both white-eye species, Orange Minivet, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, and Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike.

In the afternoon we will descend back to near Nuwara Eliya, where we will reach a patch of habitat close to our accommodation in time to anticipate the arrival of the ultra-secretive, montane, endemic Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, which is one of two Endangered (IUCN) Sri Lankan endemics.

Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

The endemic Dull-blue Flycatcher is found in the mountains of Sri Lanka.

Day 13. Drive to Kandy, in the afternoon local birding

In the morning we will be birding for any missing montane specials before driving to Kandy at an elevation of 477 meters (1,565 feet), the last Sinhalese kingdom in Sri Lanka, which was ceded to the British in 1815. En route we will pause at a tea factory to see the recently split Hill Swallow, which nests inside the factory. After a cuppa we will reach our accommodation, which is a hotel situated close to birding sites and the sacred city of Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the late afternoon we will go birding within our ample hotel grounds close to Kandy to look for any missing targets. We will also look for several special birds here, namely Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Crimson-fronted Barbet and Common Hawk-Cuckoo.

A noisy colony of Indian Flying Foxes will be hard to ignore, and we could see them in their thousands in several large trees next to the river, with constant fights over landing rights.

Overnight: Kandy

Green-billed Coucal is a secretive endemic and we will be constantly looking for one.

Day 14. Birding around Kandy, transfer to Katunayake for departure

We will finish the tour with some optional pre-breakfast birding around the wonderful gardens of the hotel area. After our final breakfast of the tour we will travel back to Katunayake near Colombo before the tour comes to an end with your afternoon international departure.

If you would like to add some further island endemic birds to your travels you might like to consider our Birding Tour India: Andaman Islands Endemics which runs straight after this tour, during which we will look for Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Serpent Eagle, Andaman Masked Owl, Andaman Scops Owl, Hume’s Hawk-Owl, and Andaman Hawk-Owl, among many others. Alternatively you may like to consider our Birding Tour India: The North – Tigers, Amazing Birds, and the Himalayas, where we look for Bengal Tiger and some incredible birds such as the monotypic pair of Ibisbill and Wallcreeper and a great deal of other exciting birds such as Cheer Pheasant, Indian Courser, and Indian Skimmer to name a few.

Overnight: Not included

Please note that the itinerary cannot be guaranteed as it is only a rough guide and can be changed (usually slightly) due to factors such as availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides and other factors. In addition, we sometimes have to use a different international guide from the one advertised due to tour scheduling.

Sri Lanka birding tour: Island Endemics and Wintering Jewels, January 2025

25 JANUARY – 07 FEBRUARY 2025

By Fraser Bell

The recently described endemic Serendib Scops Owl gave us incredible views and was rightly voted bird of the trip. This is a top target on our Sri Lanka birdwatching tours and it was great to connect with the bird on our first afternoon in the dense forests of Sinharaja. ­

Overview

This birding tour of Sri Lanka began in Colombo on the 25^th of January 2025, and concluded there on the 7^th of February 2025. The tour focus was to see all 35 of the country’s currently recognized endemic bird species (which we did), along with several near-endemics found only in Sri Lanka or nearby southern India, and key migrant birds. We also enjoyed encounters with some impressive mammals, including Sloth Bear and Asian Elephant during our time in the dry zone, and cetaceans on a pelagic trip in the Indian Ocean.

The tour began with some introductory birding around our hotel near the airport, before targeting 28 of Sri Lanka’s endemics found in the wet lowland forests. We first explored the more open forest-garden habitats of Kitulgala, then moved on to the dense, lush rainforests of Sinharaja, where fast-paced birding among mixed-species flocks was a real highlight. From there, we headed south to the coast at Mirissa, enjoying some wetland birding and a whale-watching trip before continuing east into the dry and arid landscapes of southern Sri Lanka. In addition to the two dry-zone endemic bird species, we were on the lookout for mammals, as well as open-country and wetland birds during three exciting game drives in Bundala, Yala, and Uda Walawe National Parks. We then spent two nights in the highlands seeking the final five endemics and several rare migrants that winter almost exclusively in Sri Lanka’s highlands, at Horton Plains National Park and Victoria Park. Our final birding was around Kandy, where we enjoyed catching up with a few species first encountered at the start of the tour.

Sri Lanka is home to many beautifully colored species, like the iconic Sri Lanka Blue Magpie.

We recorded 242 bird species on this Sri Lanka birdwatching tour, with one species heard only. Highlights included seeing all 35 of Sri Lanka’s endemic bird species, including Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Sri Lanka Thrush, Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler, Sri Lanka Shama, Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, and as well as species found only in Sri Lanka or India, including Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Blue-faced Malkoha, Marshall’s Iora, and Loten’s Sunbird. We also enjoyed seven owl species (including the most wanted Serendib Scops Owl), a variety of waterbirds, and rare migrants such as the striking Kashmir Flycatcher and Pied Thrush.

In addition to the exceptional birding, we encountered an exciting range of other wildlife, including mammals like Sloth Bear, Wild Water Buffalo, Short-finned Pilot and Fin Whales, Indian Giant Flying Squirrel, Golden Jackal, and the endemic Purple-faced Langur. We also encountered a few endemic reptiles such as Sri Lankan Flapshell Turtle, Lyre Head Lizard, and Wiegmann’s Agama.

Seeing this Sloth Bear during a game drive at Yala National Park was a real tour highlight!

Bird and animal lists for this Sri Lanka birding tour follow the report and you can also view the eBird trip report here, where you can see more bird photos.

Detailed Report

Day 1, 25^th January 2025. Arrival in Katunayake, and an introduction to birding in Sri Lanka

Most of the group had arrived early and enjoyed a leisurely morning at the hotel before we met up and birded the hotel gardens and a small overgrown pool nearby. It was a lovely introduction to birding in the Indian Subcontinent, and we began by enjoying some of the common species that would accompany us throughout the tour. These included Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Brown-headed Barbet, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Booted Eagle, an uncommon migrant in Sri Lanka, and a nesting pair of Shikras. Standout birds included a trio of species endemic to Sri Lanka, with a pair of Red-backed Flamebacks, a Crimson-fronted Barbet at the top of the canopy, brief views of Sri Lanka Swallow, and a pair of near-endemic Loten’s Sunbirds feeding on flowering shrubs right outside our rooms. Over our first of many tasty Sri Lankan rice and curry meals, we discussed the upcoming tour and our top bird and animal targets for the next two weeks.

The endemic Red-backed Flameback gave us a warm welcome to Sri Lanka, with excellent views of a pair in our hotel grounds.

Day 2, 26^th January 2025. Transfer to Kitulgala and birding for lowland endemics and special

After a leisurely breakfast, we spent the morning transferring to the wet lowlands around Kitulgala. This marked our transition into Sri Lanka’s lush wet zone, where dense lowland rainforests host the majority of the island’s endemic species. A few well-timed birding stops during the transfer provided brilliant views of a pair of Black Eagle, one of which glided low over the canopy, sending a troop of Toque Macaques into a panic. Other raptors included our first of many Crested Honey Buzzards, Crested Serpent Eagles, and a Changeable Hawk-Eagle. Birding from a quiet bridge over a small river surrounded by open forest gave us great views of White-rumped Munia, Small Minivet, a brief flyover by several Sri Lanka Hanging Parrots, and Southern Hill Myna. Our destination was a secluded eco retreat nestled in forest north of Kitulgala. To reach it, we left the bus and took a short tuk-tuk ride down a steep slope, which was an entertaining way to begin and end each day while based here! After a delicious lunch, we headed back out into the Kitulgala forests with several endemic targets in mind.

The Yellow-fronted Barbet is a striking endemic and a familiar sight and sound in Sri Lanka’s wet zone.

On arrival in the open forests of Kitulgala, we quickly picked up the endemics Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Barbet, and Orange-billed Babbler, along with the striking Orange Minivet, a male Golden-fronted Leafbird, and several perched Sri Lanka Hanging Parrots, a satisfying follow-up to the brief in-flight views that morning. Crashes in the forest revealed a small troop of Purple-faced Langur, a widespread species in Sri Lanka but these were from the rare nestor subspecies. Birding along a shaded forest stream did not produce the hoped-for Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher, but a trio of flycatchers, Asian Brown, Brown-breasted, and Tickell’s Blue Flycatchers were a pleasure to watch, with the vivid colors of the latter lighting up the dark understory. Our first full day ended with a great meal and a well-earned beer at our peaceful eco retreat.

This pair of Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill put on quite the display for us, preening and courting just outside our rooms.

Day 3, 27^th January 2025. Full day birding in Kitulgala for lowland endemics and specials

An early start saw us back in tuk-tuks going up the hill from our eco retreat before driving back down into Kitulgala. This time, luck was on our side and we saw the beautiful Chestnut-backed Owlet, which gave brilliant views as it peered down at us from the canopy. For some in the group, this was quickly followed by a sighting of the endemic Brown-capped Babbler which almost walked under some people’s feet, and a Grey-bellied Cuckoo, rare in the wet lowlands, which disappeared quickly, following after a group of bulbuls and Golden-fronted Leafbird. While we could hear Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher, by the time we reached the forest streams where it had been calling from, it had already moved on.

Our packed breakfast and coffee really hit the spot, and afterwards we crossed a wide river to bird the gardens and crop fields of tea and coffee beyond. The birding here was excellent and fast-paced, and with open mixed forest the species diversity was high. We saw Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Black-naped Monarch, Common Iora, Dark-fronted Babbler, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, and White-browed Fantail among many others. The best though was a stunningly beautiful male Indian Paradise Flycatcher of the migratory pure white type, and a duo of Indian Pitta that most of the group got onto, especially when one individual flew in and landed on an open horizontal branch near us.

The endemic Chestnut-backed Owlet was our first nocturnal bird of the trip and a real crowd pleaser as it watched us intently from its perch.

We enjoyed a well-earned lunch of Sri Lankan curry while overlooking the Kelani River, then headed back to the eco retreat for a bit of time off during the heat of the day. Given the rooms had balconies overlooking forest bordering a river beyond, most opted to spend their down time birding from their balconies or taking pictures of the endemic Lyre Head Lizard and Wiegmann’s Agama which lived outside the restaurant.

Considering the morning’s success, we decided to bird along the quiet roads near our accommodation, which gave excellent views into the forest edge and at times down into the canopy below. This proved to be a great decision and we added four more of Sri Lanka’s endemic birds to our growing trip list. One of the first was a pair of Spot-winged Thrushes feeding on rice and scraps under a house, which we ended up revisiting for even closer views. Layard’s Parakeets were constantly flying overhead throughout the afternoon, though we eventually had excellent views of a large group feeding in a nearby jackfruit tree. Other highlights included our first Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler and a group of Sri Lanka Green Pigeons coming to roost.

Day 4, 28^th January 2025. Drive to and birding the endemic hotspot Sinharaja Forest Reserve

A more relaxed morning started with some birding from our balconies and a great breakfast. We did not have many notable sightings on our morning transfer to Sinharaja, but a mid-point coffee break really hit the spot. On arrival at our accommodation, we were struck by the sweeping views of the surrounding lush forest and low cloud clinging to the hills, and were equally impressed by the eco lodge itself. Set on a small hill overlooking tea fields and rainforest, our eco lodge was very comfortable, and right in the middle of the action. Over lunch we discovered the food was great too.

Our afternoon birding session started with an absolute cracker of a bird, as we saw Serendib Scops Owl, an endemic only described in 2004 and named after one of the old names for Sri Lanka. We were able to get close to this special endemic at its day roost (see the cover image). Afterwards, an hour of road birding along a hillside was very productive and we added the endemic Crimson-backed Flameback, plus Black-hooded Cuckooshrike, Crested Treeswift, and Banded Bay Cuckoo, among others, and improved views of some nice endemics including perched Sri Lanka Swallow. Given our success and the effort needed to find the scops owl which involved a bit of an uphill scramble through the forest, we wrapped up the afternoon a little early and headed back for a well-earned relax and a drink.

The larger of Sri Lanka’s two endemic woodpeckers, Crimson-backed Flameback is an impressive bird, and we had repeated views of these during the tour.

Day 5, 29^th January 2025. Birding Sinharaja for lowland wet-zone endemics

In the early light we got into our jeeps and headed along a bumpy forest track, arriving at a clearing in the dense forest. Here a small house doubles as a stakeout for some seriously cool birds that can otherwise be secretive and hard to see. With a bit of patience we saw both of our main endemic targets; a pair of Sri Lanka Spurfowls which we were able to watch for some time, and a small group of roving Ashy-headed Laughingthrushes. Also in attendance was a female Indian Blue Robin, Spot-winged Thrush, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, and Common Emerald Dove. Between birding we enjoyed our packed breakfast and hot coffee and kept finding great birds by watching the forest surrounding the clearing. Here we saw Sri Lanka Hill Myna, Black-capped Bulbul, Sri Lanka Drongo, Legge’s Flowerpecker, Black-throated Munia, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, and three roosting Sri Lanka Frogmouths.

Sri Lanka Spurfowl are shy and sensitive, so we were pleased to see a pair on two consecutive days.

After some well-deserved down time we headed to the main visitor center where we quickly saw the resident pair of colorful Sri Lanka Blue Magpies and had great views. For the rest of the afternoon we birded in the center of the village, checking home gardens and forest scrub in search of a tricky endemic.

Sri Lanka Frogmouth also occurs in southern India, but is satisfyingly common in Sinharaja, where we saw half a dozen perched at their day roosts. At night we could also hear their bizarre calls from the eco lodge.

At first we had better views of Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Sri Lanka Drongo, and Legge’s Flowerpecker, and a brief look at Sri Lanka White-eye, though these moved off quickly. Luckily for us some bulbuls mobbed a Chestnut-backed Owlet, which flew in right next to us and gave fantastic views again. We tried a few different spots and eventually found our afternoon target of Green-billed Coucal skulking in some dense bamboo and scrub, another tough endemic in the bag.

Spot-winged Thrush is the most common of Sri Lanka’s endemic thrushes, but it still remains a real skulker.

Day 6, 30^th January 2025. Birding Sinharaja and the last of the wet-zone birding

Today we spent the morning in the dense primary forests of Sinharaja. It took some time to reach our destination along steep boulder-strewn roads, which made for an entertaining jeep ride. Our first stop did not produce the hoped-for Sri Lanka Thrush and was fairly quiet, so we’d have to keep looking for this big target. On arrival at our breakfast spot we scored another endemic, as White-faced Starlings were actively feeding in the canopy with Orange-billed Babbler, Square-tailed Bulbul, and Common Iora. A group of Sri Lanka White-eyes gave eye-level views before quickly joining the small canopy flock. Over breakfast we had close views of Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, and Yellow-fronted Barbet at a feeding station, along with other regulars and an endemic Layard’s Palm Squirrel. We also got lucky when a female Malabar Trogon flew in above us and the whole group was able to enjoy scope views. The highlights of the morning were still to come though, as we spent half an hour enjoying occasional but good views of Sri Lanka Thrush quietly foraging along the edge of a forest stream. Later we encountered two busy mixed species flocks, and the larger one crucially contained Red-faced Malkoha. A celebratory drink in the forest followed as we toasted our success in finding all of Sri Lanka’s wet forest endemics!

After a particularly enjoyable lunch, our afternoon session was accompanied by the sound of thunder and cut short by rain, but we still enjoyed seeing good numbers of Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, Sri Lanka Swallows, and Layard’s Parakeets before the rain started.

It’s satisfying to catch the yellow flare in a male Sri Lanka Junglefowl’s comb. These birds are common across much of the island and while searching for Sri Lanka Thrush we had to watch our step as they fed right among us!

Day 7, 31^st January 2025. Traveling south to coastal Mirissa and wetland birding

For the early risers we added Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Brown Shrike, and Plum-headed Parakeet on a pre-breakfast walk near our eco lodge before setting off and traveling south to Mirissa and the coast. Our accommodation was a plush beachfront resort. We made the most of this location and birded from the beach, picking up large numbers of Little Tern, plus a few Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns, Brown-headed Gull, and both Common and Stork-billed Kingfisher. The afternoon outing was great fun and gave us our first wetland birding of the trip where we saw almost 60 species in just two hours at the Kirala Kele Sanctuary. While we added many species to our list, the highlights included both Yellow and Cinnamon Bitterns, along with Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, and even a rare migrant – a lone Knob-billed Duck for the few who got on it.

Day 8, 1^st February 2025. Morning whale-watching tour, afternoon travel to and birding Tissamaharama

While some in the group opted for more land-based birding, revisiting the wetlands from the previous afternoon, most set off early for the Mirissa harbor to board a boat for a whale-watching trip. The water here is usually calm and several cetacean species are seen regularly, making it an enjoyable outing. First up was a pod of Spinner Dolphins, which lived up to their name and occasionally spun out of the water. The highlight was a large mixed pod of Short-finned Pilot Whales and Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins, which we all saw incredibly well as they breached around us and spy-hopped between the boats. After this we had a brief encounter with a Fin Whale which is relatively rare here, but the boat’s propeller broke and we had to unfortunately limp back to shore. Considering the main focus was the cetaceans, we were happy to see five species of tern, adding Greater Crested and White-winged Terns to our growing trip list.

We reunited with the other group who had improved views of many wetland species seen the previous afternoon, then headed east to the Tissamaharama (Tissa) area. After checking in to our fantastic hotel – which many of us agreed was one of the best we had ever stayed in – we had a very productive afternoon birding around Tissa. We started by visiting three gardens where locals had found roosting owls. One after another we saw Indian Scops Owl, Jungle Owlet, and Brown Boobook, the first of which showed particularly well and ended up as a runner-up for bird of the trip. After this enjoyable run around we spent the rest of the afternoon birding wetlands. A trio of endemic Sri Lanka Woodshrikes gave great views and we also enjoyed seeing Jerdon’s Leafbird, White-naped Woodpecker, and Thick-billed Flowerpecker. We finished the day watching Indian Flying Foxes leaving their roost against the sunset, with nice views of Eastern Barn Owl at dusk, and another round of incredible Sri Lankan food.

This pair of Indian Scops Owls were a lovely sight, especially with both brown and grey color morphs side by side and at such close range. They became a real contender for bird of the trip.

Day 9, 2^nd February 2025. Morning birding at Bundala National Park, afternoon at Tissamaharama Wetlands

We spent a long morning at the absolutely brilliant Bundala National Park which was packed with birds. Exploring the wetlands, salt pans, and scrub by jeep is easily one of the highlights of our Sri Lanka tour and between the group we logged over 100 species before lunch! The highlights included Oriental Pratincole, Great Stone-curlew, Yellow-eyed Babbler, and Greater Painted-snipe to name a few, plus loads of shorebirds (waders), herons, storks, kingfishers, and terns, and even a brief view of the shy Watercock. While many of these species were not new for the group, since most are migratory or fairly widespread, the birding was still great fun thanks to the sheer abundance and diversity of birds. We also saw an impressive Saltwater Crocodile and some Bengal Monitor Lizards.

One of the many highlights at Bundala National Park was getting close views of Great Stone-curlews.

That afternoon we had a few hours to enjoy some great food and relax during the heat of the day, before heading back out to the wetlands around Tissa. Unfortunately we did not find the local Brown Fish Owl, but we had fun adding both Baya and Streaked Weavers, along with Cotton Pygmy Goose and several other waterbirds, and the endemic Sri Lankan Flapshell Turtle. We finished the day looking for nightjars flying at dusk, and succeeded in seeing Indian Nightjar, along with Indian Thick-knee and Alexandrine Parakeet.

Day 10, 3^rd February 2025. Yala National Park, then Uda Walawe National Park for dry-zone specials

Filled with anticipation we left in the dark with a packed breakfast heading for a game drive in the famous Yala National Park. Unlike the other parks we visit on the tour, the main targets here are actually the large mammals but the birding is also great. Our first stop targeting Jerdon’s Nightjar wasn’t successful, but a lone Ashy Drongo and good views of a pair of endemic Brown-capped Babblers made up for it. The birding inside the park was fun and after some time trying, we eventually all got onto Sri Lanka Shama which were adept at keeping hidden in the dense scrub. Other highlights included Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Asian Woolly-necked Stork, and Yellow-crowned Woodpecker. Still it was the mammals that stole the show as we saw Golden Jackal, Tufted Grey Langur, Wild Boar, Wild Water Buffalo, Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel, Sambar deer, and Chital (Spotted Deer), and we had an amazing close encounter with a rarely seen Sloth Bear. We had great views as this fluffy lump nimbly climbed a scrubby tree and delicately picked berries off the branch tips while hanging upside down – which was impressive for its size!

Golden Jackal was one of 14 mammal species we saw during a game drive in Yala National Park.

After an eventful morning we drove northwest for our one-night stay in the Uda Walawe area. We checked in and had a nice lunch then prepared for our third and final game drive. Given our success over the previous few mornings, our main targets were a handful of arid zone species found in the dense scrub here. We had an enjoyable game drive with great views of both Sirkeer and Blue-faced Malkohas and most of the group saw the widespread yet tough-to-see Marshall’s Iora alongside Barred Buttonquails, Orange-breasted Green Pigeons, Malabar Pied Hornbills, Jungle Prinias, and Forest and Eastern Yellow Wagtails. Not to mention, enjoying several Asian Elephants during our drive. On the way back to the hotel we stopped on a quiet road and had an efficient session searching for dusk-flying nightjars, as both Jerdon’s and Indian Nightjars were seen well in the dusk light within minutes. Tired, after a long but fun day, we enjoyed some great Sri Lankan food and some celebratory drinks.

Day 11, 4^th February 2025. Transfer to Nuwara Eliya and high-elevation birding

After a relaxed breakfast we birded an area near Uda Walawe park, visiting the shoreline of the Uda Walawe Reservoir and some nearby dry scrub forest. This was a surprisingly diverse area and here we saw our only Brown-backed Needletail and Citrine Wagtail of the tour, along with improved views of Marshall’s Iora and Greater Painted-snipe, among others. Given our success in the arid zone we then headed north and climbed into Sri Lanka’s highlands.

Our first stop was a pre-lunch visit to the Surrey Estate where we saw a roosting Brown Wood Owl, though unfortunately it was very wary so we didn’t see it perched for long before it flew across the valley and out of sight. While looking for the owl we happened upon a Rufous Woodpecker which was a great addition for the few that saw it before it hitched up into the high canopy. We also saw our first Cinereous Tit and Peregrine Falcon of the trip, the latter being the endemic subspecies peregrinator. We continued up into the mountains but a chance encounter with a raptor had us scrambling out of the bus as a Rufous-bellied Eagle circled on the thermals first at eye level before climbing higher. This smart raptor has a fairly widespread distribution throughout Southeast Asia, but is uncommonly seen in Sri Lanka.

Brown Wood Owls have subtle, beautiful plumage.

We arrived in Nuwara Eliya, a city known for tea growing, a cool climate, and colonial-style architecture, and checked in to our grand hotel for a two-night stay. Afterwards we visited some cloud forest on the outskirts of the city. This proved fairly quiet, but we did eventually get good views of endemic Dull-blue Flycatcher, Yellow-eared Bulbul, and Sri Lanka White-eye, and a few Grey-headed Canary-flycatchers in the mixed species flocks, and a Dusky Striped Squirrel. A chance sighting of a Sri Lanka Thrush and a pair of Indian Blackbirds was frustratingly brief for some.

Many of Sri Lanka’s common bird species are colorful, like this Asian Green Bee-eater.

Day 12, 5^th February 2025. Nuwara Eliya, looking for montane endemics and other specials 

We set off in the early hours in a pair of minibuses which climbed up into Horton Plains National Park, a large area protecting montane grassland and cloud forest along with its wildlife communities. Here we hoped to encounter the final three Sri Lankan bird endemics. While waiting for the park to open we saw a male Indian Blackbird feeding in the dawn light, then, at our first stop we saw five endemic Sri Lanka Wood Pigeons commuting over the cloud forest and luckily one perched up for a while to give great views. We also found a pair of Sri Lanka Bush Warblers which we had brief glimpses of as they scrambled through low shrubs alongside a pool. We got our final endemic, the secretive Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush at the next stop after a bit of a search. Over the course of an hour and a half everyone had good views of two whistling thrushes as they hopped and crept in the vegetation around the pool. This area was great for birding and we had multiple mixed flocks of high elevation songbirds including Dull-blue Flycatcher, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka White-eye, and both Green and Large-billed Leaf Warblers. Given our early success, we spent the remainder of the morning exploring the open grasslands of the plains seeing Pied Bush Chat, Hill Swallow, Himalayan Buzzard, and impressive Sambar deer, though try as we might we couldn’t locate the near-endemic Legge’s Hawk-Eagle.

That afternoon we went to the local Victoria Park, situated in the middle of Nuwara Eliya. Birding the park was a very pleasant experience and we had great views of both of our targets Kashmir Flycatcher and Pied Thrush. These species are rare migrants that breed in the Himalayas and almost exclusively spend the winter months in Sri Lanka, which makes for a special experience enjoying some relaxed birding with these two stars.

Day 13, 6^th February 2025. Drive to Kandy, in the afternoon local birding

Given the success of our previous day and having seen all of Sri Lanka’s 35 bird species currently recognized as endemics, and the rare migrants we were targeting in the area, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before checking out and heading north towards Kandy. A coffee stop offered epic panoramic views over tea fields, and the hills beyond, made even better by Hill Swallow buzzing around above us.

We checked into our eco lodge for the final night before heading to a local forest park in the center of Kandy. While it doesn’t have a truly wild feel to the forest at Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, it is surprisingly peaceful and diverse considering it is surrounded by the city of Kandy. Highlights here were our best views of Sri Lanka Shama, along with Northern Red Muntjac and Oriental Rat Snake. Our last meal together was fun as always and a few headed out spotlighting and found Indian Giant Flying Squirrel and Common Palm Civet.

Day 14, 7^th February 2025. Birding around Kandy, transfer to Katunayake for departure

The final day started with some birding around our eco lodge and while we managed views of the hoped-for Indian Pitta, they unfortunately didn’t show well. Other highlights included Common Hawk-Cuckoo and perched Alexandrine Parakeet. After a transfer and a final lunch together we said our goodbyes which was made easier as most of the group were headed onwards for our Andaman Islands birding trip!

Overall, we saw 241 species in our 14 days together and while there were many avian (and some reptilian) contenders for bird of the trip, Serendib Scops Owl was awarded the top place. Honorable mentions went to the beautiful Kashmir Flycatcher, Red-faced Malkoha, and the pair of cute Indian Scops Owl. Sri Lanka was great fun and what an amazing bunch of birders to experience it with. I can’t wait to bird with you all again sometime soon.

Bird List – Following IOC (Version 14.2/August 2024)

All species were seen, aside from the birds marked with (H) after the common name, which were ‘heard only’.

The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following BirdLife International: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable. (Endemic) = Sri Lankan endemic birds.

Mammal List – Following Mammalwatching.com (November 2024)

Reptile List – Following Reptiles of World (October 2023)

This is a sample trip report. Please email us ([email protected]) for more trip reports from this destination.

Sri Lanka birding tour: Island Endemics and Wintering Jewels

GENERAL INFORMATION

OUR SRI LANKA BIRDING TOUR

This small-group Sri Lanka birding tour focuses on the 35 currently recognized IOC (14.2) endemic birds, several near-endemic regional specialties that only also occur in a relatively small area of southern India, and several overwintering specialties. Some of the main targets on this birdwatching tour of Sri Lanka include Serendib Scops Owl, Sri Lanka Bay Owl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Hornbill, Indian Pitta, Malabar Trogon, Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka Thrush, Sri Lanka Thrush, Pied Thrush, Indian Blue Robin, Kashmir Flycatcher, and many more.

Our tour will take us around the south of the picturesque island nation, soaking in a wide range of habitats along the way. In addition to the high-quality birds, we will keep our eyes peeled for Asian Elephant, (Sri Lankan) Leopard, and, while on a pelagic trip, the massive Blue Whale.

This Sri Lanka birding tour starts and ends at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, near the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo.

ITINERARY AND SPECIES RECORDING (BIRD LISTS AND ANIMAL LISTS)

Ahead of our Sri Lanka birdwatching tour we will send you a detailed daily itinerary (along with arrival instructions). We will then provide you with a printed copy of the itinerary on the first day of the tour.

The printed copy of the itinerary will include a bird list and list of other animals possible on the tour and we will go through this each night (but it is totally optional whether you join or not – though it is considered extremely useful). We always use the latest version of the International Ornithological Congress (IOC) taxonomy for our bird list and for all other wildlife, we use the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) taxonomy. While birding during the tour we will create eBird checklists and these will be shared with any participants who wish to have a copy. Just provide us with your eBird user details at the beginning of the tour for us to do this.

Each evening, we will go through the itinerary to give you any specific information to be aware of for the following day (like what clothes and equipment will be needed, when we will be having breakfast, departure time from the hotel, and any important birds we will be looking for, etc.). This is a good time for you to ask us any questions you may have for the day ahead.

After the completion of the tour, we will email you a PDF copy of an illustrated trip report. This will include a complete IOC and IUCN checklist of all wildlife recorded during the tour. Any interesting bird, animal, or landscape photographs will be included in the trip report and will also be added to our tour-specific Flickr pages as a reminder, and you are able to download these for free and share with your friends and family.

DAILY ACTIVITIES, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, AND TOUR PACE

This Sri Lanka birdwatching tour is not considered to be too physically demanding, though heat and humidity throughout the tour can increase tiredness and care should be taken to remain hydrated at all times.

There are a couple of long hikes during the trip, but we always take these slowly and go at birdwatching pace. If you do want to sit out a birding session, there are opportunities to hang back at our accommodation for some more relaxed birding or photography at several locations. We will spend the majority of our time birding on easy to moderate trails and roadsides, at a range of elevations, and will experience warm/hot and humid conditions throughout.

This is a birding-focused tour that does offer some good incidental photo opportunities, though these are secondary to the actual birding element of the tour. Finding and seeing well the many endemic and near-endemic species and subspecies of Sri Lanka, as well as overwintering specialties, will be considered the priority. That said, some good photo opportunities are available at many of the sites we will be visiting, though conditions can be tough in the forested, more enclosed, areas we will visit.

Most of the drives between different sites are two to three hours, but there are also a couple that are around the four hour mark. Please note that on longer journeys our driver may need to take a short break for safety. This will generally be done at a place where there is some birding for us, or where we will have lunch. Everyone’s safety is our concern on this and all our tours. There are a couple of long, rough, and potentially dusty jeep rides on this tour. We will also be taking a whale-watching pelagic boat trip during the tour. There are more details in the “Transportation” and “Pelagic” sections below.

At a couple of locations, we will be birding from within open-topped jeeps/vans due to site regulations, often for our own safety (e.g. in areas where there are elephants or leopards).

PASSPORT, VISA, LOCAL LAWS, AND CUSTOMS

In order to visit Sri Lanka, most visitors will require a visa which can usually be obtained on arrival in the country. The online visa (eVisa) application system is currently (August 2024) suspended, though this may change in the lead up to the tour, so worth checking. To enter the country your passport must have an expiry date at least six months after the day you arrive.

You are required to complete an online arrival form up to three days before you arrive in Sri Lanka. This is a free service (don’t fall for online scams claiming you need to pay) and this can save time on arrival. Please refer to the department of Immigration and Emigration website for further up-to-date information, and also check the advice provided by your government. There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Sri Lanka, with details here.

On arrival in Sri Lanka, you will likely have to show evidence of your ticket to leave the country after your bird holiday. Please make sure that you have all the required documents, and please contact us if you have any questions.

You must always carry your passport as an official form of identification. A copy is usually acceptable, but in some situations you may have to produce the original at a police station, within a specified time limit.

Do not fly drones near, use binoculars or telescopes, or take photographs of military bases, government buildings, or vehicles used by VIPs. Drones require a permit in Sri Lanka.

Disrespecting Buddhist images and artefacts, or making offensive remarks about religion, is a serious offence and can lead to arrest. If you have visible tattoos of Buddha, you can be refused entry to Sri Lanka or face deportation. Do not pose for photographs standing in front of a statue of Buddha (don’t pose for photos with your back to Buddha). Avoid touching sacred objects or relics. Always seek permission before photographing people, particularly monks or worshippers.   Public displays of affection are frowned upon in Sri Lanka. It is best to avoid overt displays to respect local customs and traditions.

Please make sure that you bring a photocopy of your passport with you on the tour, this can be kept with other important documents like vaccination certificates, emergency contact details, and insurance documents.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

As detailed in our standard Terms and Conditions, we strongly encourage you to have comprehensive trip cancellation insurance to protect against unexpected events that might cause delays and interruptions to travel. It is important that the insurance covers illness, medical issues, accidents, repatriation, loss of luggage or any valuable items that you might be bringing (e.g. optical and camera equipment) etc.

HEALTH AND PESTS

We recommend you consult your doctor or local travel clinic, regarding vaccine requirements, approximately two months prior to your bird tour to Sri Lanka, so that any required vaccine courses can be completed in time for your departure.

There is no risk of Yellow Fever in Sri Lanka, however there is a certificate requirement for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission (or have transited for more than 12 hours through one). The certificate for Yellow Fever is now valid for life, rather than 10 years, as was considered to apply pre-2016. Please refer to the World Health Organization’s list of countries where Yellow Fever transmission is possible, here.

Everyone visiting Sri Lanka should be up to date with standard vaccinations and boosters, like Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, Chickenpox (Varicella), Flu, Covid-19, Polio, Shingles, and Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR). Other vaccinations that might be required (depending on your personal situation, and to be confirmed by your travel clinic/doctor), include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Cholera, Typhoid, and Rabies. Airborne and droplet transmitted diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB), Avian/Bird Flu, Seasonal Flu, and Hantavirus are present.

There is a risk of insect or tick-borne diseases in some areas of South Asia, including in Sri Lanka. This includes diseases such as Chikungunya, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Leishmaniasis, Scrub Typhus (from Chiggers) and West Nile Virus. There is no risk of Malaria in Sri Lanka, however there is Zika Virus (from diurnal mosquitos). To prevent mosquito bites we recommend wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, treat clothes with repellents like permethrin or use permethrin-treated clothing (such as Buzz Off), and use an EPA-registered mosquito repellent containing DEET.

If you are prone to seasickness you might want to consult a doctor to get medication to prevent this during the pelagic whale-watching trip.

Please refer to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website here, for further information on vaccines and how to stay healthy on the tour. Another great source of data is the “Travel Health Pro” website, and information on Sri Lanka can be seen here. All three linked webpages, and any others from your home government, are worth studying ahead of joining our tour.

Poor air quality is a significant public health problem in many parts of the world, and we can experience areas of poor air quality, usually when in (but not limited to) cities. Exposure to high levels of air pollution over short time periods (e.g. minutes/hours/days) is linked to many different acute and chronic health problems. These effects are mainly on the respiratory (lungs and airways) and cardiovascular (heart function and blood circulation) systems.

Tap water is not potable in Sri Lanka and you should not drink water from taps, as you can get ill (e.g. traveler’s diarrhea) and this will likely ruin a portion your bird tour. We will be providing two bottles of mineral water per day per person from our tour vehicle supply, please bring a refillable water bottle to maintain your own supply. Water taken from the hotel (excluding any free water provided) will be at your own cost (e.g. water from the restaurant, water from a mini bar etc.).

If you pick up any scratches from plants (see the “Dangerous Animals and Plants” section below) or receive any bites from insects, they should be cleaned, treated with antiseptic cream/wipes, and covered quickly to reduce the chance of any infection.

Sunscreen (rated SPF 30+) should be used frequently, and a sunhat should be worn to protect from the sun’s powerful rays, with sunglasses used to help prevent glare. A plentiful intake of water is essential to maintain hydration.

There is a risk of altitude sickness when travelling to elevations of 8,200 feet (2,500 meters), however we won’t be going above this elevation on our tour. The highest point we are likely to be birding at on our Sri Lanka bird tour is at Horton Plains (approximately 5,900 feet / 1,800 meters). The highest overnight elevation is approximately 5,250 feet / 1,600 meters).

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

It is very important that you are suitably covered with comprehensive medical insurance in the instance of any emergency situation while on our Sri Lanka bird tour. Medical facilities in Sri Lanka are likely to be of a lower quality than you are used to at home. Emergency medical treatment outside main cities is not readily available, and you may have to be brought to Colombo for treatment. Treatment in private hospitals can be expensive and the options for repatriation to your home or a neighboring country in an emergency are limited and very expensive. If you don’t have insurance, the cost for medical care is likely to be very high.

As detailed in our standard Terms and Conditions, we require you to tell us when signing up for our Sri Lanka birdwatching tour of any medical conditions that we should be aware of. Please tell us if you have any walking/mobility (including stability) issues, diabetes, epilepsy, food and medicinal allergies, heart conditions, and long-term illnesses etc. This will make things easier for us, and you, in case an unexpected situation arises.

CRIME AND SAFETY

Sri Lanka is generally considered to be a relatively safe country to visit, with many friendly people, but you should take at least the same precautions you would at home. Place valuables in a secure place, such as a hotel safe, when you can, and keep belongings in sight when travelling. Remain vigilant of your surroundings at all times.

Terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka cannot be ruled out, avoid crowded public places, large gatherings, and demonstrations. Possible targets could also include hotels, tourist sites, and places of worship. Protests and demonstrations linked to political and economic situations can happen anywhere across the island at short notice, and can become violent, so are to be avoided.

Violent crime against foreigners is rare, but there has been an increase in low-level opportunistic crime incidents, e.g. bag snatches off motorbikes. Wear a body belt for safe keeping of documents.

Bank card fraud is common. Fraudsters can steal your card details without you noticing. Use ATMs inside banks or hotels where possible, and check ATMs on the street for signs of tampering. Keep cards in sight when paying in shops and restaurants.

Many beaches in Sri Lanka have dangerous surf or rip tides at certain times of the year. Get advice from your hotel or lifeguards before going into the sea.

DANGEROUS ANIMALS AND PLANTS

Some Sri Lankan animals can be dangerous. If in doubt, follow advice from our local guides or the Birding Ecotours Sri Lanka tour leader. Wild Asian Elephants and Mugger (Crocodiles) will attack humans on occasion and (Sri Lankan) Leopards are present, though we will likely be in vehicles if we are lucky enough to find one of these shy apex predators. Venomous insects and snakes are found in many parts of the country and we are likely to come into contact with some these. Feral dogs are common and sometimes carry Rabies.

Special mention should be made of Leeches, which occur throughout Sri Lanka, where they are particularly abundant. Even though we will be visiting Sri Lanka in what should be the drier months, it is best to expect them to be present, and to be pleasantly surprised if we don’t encounter many of them! They are an annoyance rather than being a real health issue, though we know no one likes them! Insect repellent (particularly citronella) sprayed on shoes and ankles can help to keep them at bay, as well as being great for reducing issues with other annoying creatures, such as ticks, mosquitoes, and chiggers. Saltwater spray can also deter leeches. We will provide you with a pair of “Leech socks” at the beginning of the tour. It is a good idea to have some salt sachets as well, as it can be an effective way to remove a leech if it attaches to your skin.

There are numerous poisonous and irritant plants in Sri Lanka, and some plants may be protected by fierce looking spikes,  so we recommend being careful about where you put your hands if moving through vegetation (this is also a good way to reduce insect bites).

FOOD, DRINKS, AND MEALS

A variety of typical Sri Lankan food is the main type of food to be expected on this tour, with some western menu options likely in some places. Vegetarian food is commonly available, but please let us know of any dietary requirements ahead of the tour. Most meals are based around chicken or fish with rice, breads, and vegetables, Fresh fruit will be available. Due to the lack of refrigeration, dairy products are not common.

Sri Lankan food can be quite spicy, so if you don’t like spicy food, please let us know so we can inform our hosts in advance. We will have breakfasts at our hotels (possibly after an early morning birding session in some cases), lunches will either be taken in our hotel, restaurants as we travel, or occasionally as boxed/packed lunches in the field while birding. Evening meals will be taken at our hotels. We suggest you bring your favorite snacks or protein bars to supplement your diet. Street food is not recommended for travelers due to risk of getting sick.

Tap water is not potable in Sri Lanka, and you should not drink water from taps, since you can get sick. Tea and coffee are widely available, but if you have strong preferences about your tea/coffee you’d be advised to bring your own, though Sri Lanka is famous for its tea production. Alcoholic drinks are available in most places, though the sale of alcoholic drinks is banned (or at least not usually available) on religious holidays. Drinking alcoholic drinks in certain public areas is illegal.

CURRENCY, MONEY, AND TIPPING

The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) is the currency of Sri Lanka. It is subdivided into 100 cents (but these are rarely seen in circulation due to their low value). Banknotes can be found in the following denominations: LKR 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, and 5,000. The Sri Lankan Rupee is a closed currency, which means it is not available to buy or sell outside of Sri Lanka. It will likely be best to buy Sri Lankan Rupees at the airport or use an ATM at the airport. Some of the larger towns/cities we are likely to pass through/visit should have ATMs for withdrawing cash, though there is always a chance these are broken or won’t except your international card. Cash is useful for incidental purchases in rural areas, where cards may not be accepted. Some small denominations of US$ can come in useful for tipping (e.g. US$1, US$5, US$10 bills), or emergency cash if your bank card doesn’t work. It is useful to get small Sri Lankan Rupee banknotes when possible. It is best to exchange currency at authorized dealers, banks, or hotels to avoid counterfeit notes. Always ask for a receipt after exchanging money.

Tipping is not mandatory in Sri Lanka but is customary and greatly appreciated. It is a good way to show gratitude for good service and to acknowledge those working in the service industry, such as waitstaff, hotel housekeepers, drivers etc. We will cover tips to hotel staff, restaurant staff, safari jeep drivers. You will be responsible for tipping tour vehicle drivers and local guides. We would suggest LKR500-1,000 (or US$5) per person per day for drivers, and for local guides, a tip of LKR2,000 (or US$10) per person per day. However, as stated, the above tipping is at your discretion.

ACCOMMODATION

The accommodation on this tour is generally of a good standard, with electricity throughout. Most of the accommodation has air conditioning (those in the mountains don’t really need it). Accommodation without air conditioning, will likely have fans instead.

Located approximately ten minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, we stay at a luxury resort at the beginning of the tour, set in twelve acres of stunning, lush gardens. An ideal place to start our Sri Lankan birding tour, and a good location if you’d like to arrive ahead of the tour and relax a little and start your endemic bird quest early.

While we are on our birding circuit around Sri Lanka we will utilize a range of accommodations, from colonial style hotels (including one used in the renowned ’50s Hollywood blockbuster “The Bridge on the River Kwai”), rustic bungalows and nature lodges set in pristine habitat and important bird areas, and boutique hotels. Some of this accommodation is more basic than others, but we try and use the best accommodation available in the chosen area near the key birding sites. Some of the areas we will be staying in may be hilly, and so walking between bedrooms and hotel common areas (e.g. the dining room) may involve some steps. If you have difficulty walking on steps, please let us know in advance and we will endeavor to get a room that will best suit your ability.

ELECTRICITY

In Sri Lanka the power plugs and sockets (outlets) are of Type D, Type M, and Type G. The standard voltage is 230 volts (V), and the standard frequency is 50 hertz (Hz). Further details and photos of these plugs and sockets, and information on the electricity supply in Sri Lanka can be found here. This link also allows you to type in your home country and will tell you if you will need to bring a travel adaptor and / or a voltage converter, as well as tell you if you need to consider frequency differences. All places we stay on our tour should have electricity 24 hours a day, unless there is an unexpected power outage, such as the result of a storm or other unforeseen circumstance.

COMMUNICATIONS

The phone signal in Sri Lanka is reasonably good. Dialog is the largest and best performing local network across the country. It is possible to purchase a local SIM card on arrival in Sri Lanka, and most likely simply done at the airport. Most places we stay will have Wi-Fi, but the Wi-Fi infrastructure across the country is not great.

TRANSPORTATION

We will use an air-conditioned minibus/van on this tour for moving between our overnight destinations and some of our birding sites. We will also use open-top jeeps at some birding sites. The jeep drives can sometimes be rough and dusty. We will also take a boat trip, see “Whale-watching Pelagic Trip” section below.

WHALE-WATCHING PELAGIC TRIP

We will take a whale-watching boat trip from Mirissa, off the south coast of Sri Lanka. The trip provides an opportunity for seeing Blue Whale and other species. The company we use are experienced in running these trips safely, which is our primary concern. Boats have a lavatory and safety equipment, including life rafts, life rings, life jackets, fire extinguishers, and first aid kit etc. The trip will likely last 3-4 hours (07:00 hrs. – 11:00 hrs.), but may stretch a bit beyond this, depending on distances travelled. The boat usually travels about 10-15 nautical miles out to sea, depending on the whales’ whereabouts. If you are prone to seasickness, please consider taking medication. The crew will provide a safety briefing prior to departure, and your complete attention to this is required.

If you would prefer to not take part in the whale-watching boat trip, please let us know at your earliest convenience, so that we can put alternate plans in place for you. We can likely arrange for you to wait at a comfortable location nearby, such as the hotel or a designated waiting area. Alternatively, we might be able to arrange a short birding session with a local guide to a nearby site.

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

There are no domestic flights on this tour.

WEATHER/CLIMATE   

January and February are considered the cooler months in Sri Lanka. The average daytime temperatures in the coastal lowlands of Sri Lanka at this time of year range from 73°F to 88°F (23°C to 31°C). Meanwhile, the average daytime temperatures in the central highlands of Sri Lanka at this time of year range from 50°F to 79°F (10°C to 26°C). Note that in the early mornings (particularly) it can be cool (cold for some), and we might be in open-top jeeps at this time of day, so suitable clothing will be required. See the “What to Bring: Clothes” section, below.

This is the least humid and driest time in Sri Lanka. There is a low chance of rain during the tour, although, given the possible effects of events like El Nino and La Nina, which may bring unseasonable rainfall, it is always worth being prepared for rainfall.

The sun is strong at this time of year, and care should be taken to remain hydrated, and use sun protection.

NATURAL DISASTERS

Tropical cyclones and monsoon rains can cause flooding in many places in Sri Lanka. Our tours are timed to run outside the tropical cyclone and monsoon seasons, to hopefully avoid these huge storm events which can cause widespread flooding and landslides.

LUGGAGE

Please pack as lightly as possible for this tour. A medium, soft-sided, and robust duffle bag is likely to work best for packing in the tour vehicles. We recommend a daypack be used to keep items that you wish to use daily when in the vehicle, or when birding in the field.

WHAT TO BRING: CLOTHING AND RELATED ITEMS

We recommend that you bring a selection of loose and lightweight field clothing with green, brown, or dark colors, as these work best for forest birding (which we will be doing for the majority of our tours in the region). Please avoid bright/pale colors, for example no white, red, orange etc. outer clothing layers during birding time. Casual and informal dress is appropriate for the hotels/accommodation we use.

We highly recommend trousers/long pants and long-sleeved shirts (these can be rolled up should you get too hot) for all birding activities, given the potential leech and insect issues (and the strong tropical sun). A selection of clothes is useful, as you are likely to get hot and sweaty in some locations. You should also bring some warmer clothes, as we will spend some time birding at higher elevations, where nighttime temperatures could drop, and still be cool when we are birding or driving in open-top jeeps.

Although we will be birding during the dry season, rain is always a possibility, so light rain gear (including a small umbrella) is always worth having in your daypack. Leeches also enjoy damp conditions, and leech socks are advisable. We will provide these for you at the beginning of the tour.

There are some opportunities for swimming on the tour, so swimwear might be useful, should you wish to enjoy a swimming pool break. Sunglasses, sunhat, and sunscreen (rated SPF 30 or higher) are, however, considered essential.

Lightweight walking boots are recommended for the tour, as they give extra ankle support while walking (necessary given some of the trails we will be birding on) and added protection against animal stings/bites. A pair of sandals (flipflops) or sneakers/trainers (tennis shoes) can be useful for when in vehicles and when walking between your room and restaurant in the hotels.

Sri Lanka is a culturally diverse country, with a predominantly Buddhist population. It is respectful to dress modestly, especially when visiting temples or religious sites. Cover your shoulders and knees and remove your shoes and hats before entering religious places.

WHAT TO BRING: OTHER ITEMS

Do not forget: Binoculars, camera, field guide (see “Books” section below), flashlight (torch), spare batteries, power bank, converter plugs, plug adaptors, chargers, prescription drugs (please bring the generic names for these drugs with you, and take note of the information on what is and isn’t allowed to be brought into Sri Lanka), toiletries, prescription glasses (and a spare pair), insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, alarm clock, money pouch, hiking poles/walking sticks, suggested medical kit (see here), water bottle, and daypack.

Our tour leader/local guide will have a communal telescope for use during the tour. A scope can be moderately useful on some parts of our Sri Lanka birding tour (we spend more time in forest than open areas). If you do have a scope it would be helpful to bring it along. The communal scope will allow everyone opportunities to look at birds briefly on a rotation basis. If you like to “digi-scope/phone-scope”, or you would like to take prolonged scope views of the birds, please bring your own scope for that, the communal scope will be for everyone to look at the birds, but not for photography.

Some additional items to remember include important travel documents, passport, cash (or ATM/credit cards to withdraw money), proof of vaccinations, and your travel or health insurance cards – photocopies of all can be carried by the tour leader in case of emergency.

We recommend bringing a couple of different colored pens, together with a 12-inch/30-centimeter plastic ruler, these can make the checklist session easier to follow.

Face masks or face coverings are useful for when in open-topped vehicles, to keep dust out of your ears, nose, and mouth.

A hiking pole or walking stick is helpful on the tracks and trails. A walking stick is compulsory for anyone who is unsteady walking, we feel this is a safety issue; we don’t want anyone slipping on the trails or anywhere else.

A dry bag will be useful for optics and important documentation, in case of rain, or while on the whale-watching pelagic trip to keep spray off items. A dry bag can also keep dust off items when in open-top jeeps. A rain guard for your camera equipment could come in handy for the boat trip.

LANGUAGE

Sri Lanka has two official languages, Sinhala and Tamil – with English as a link language. Most people have some knowledge of English.

BOOKS

Helm Field Guides: Birds of Sri Lanka – Deepal Warakadagoda, Carol Inskipp, Tim Inskipp, and Richard Grimmett (2012), Helm. We recommend this paperback for your Sri Lanka bird tour.

Please take a look at our recommended field guide blog for additional information on this region. Some of the other bird books relevant to Sri Lanka include:

Helm Wildlife Guides: Birds of Sri Lanka – Deepal Warakagoda, Uditha Hettige, and Himesha Warakagoda (2022). Helm.

Birds of Sri Lanka: An Illustrated Guide – Sarath Kotagama and Gamini Ratnavira (2017). Field Ornithology Group Sri Lanka.

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka – Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (2020). John Beaufoy Publishing.

A Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka – Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (2019). John Beaufoy Publishing.

A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka [2^nd Edition] – John Harrison and Tim Worfolk (2011). Oxford University Press.

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Birds of India: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka – Bikram Grewal and Garima Bhatia (2022). John Beaufoy Publishing.

Seabirds: The New Identification Guide – Peter Harrison, Martin Perrow and Hans Larsson (2021). Lynx Edicions.

Oceanic Birds of the World: A Photo Guide – Steve N.G. Howell and Kirk Zufelt (2019). Princeton University Press.

Helm Identification Guide Series: Albatrosses, Petrels and Shearwaters of the World – Derek Onley and Paul Scofield (2007). Helm

Gulls of the World: A Photographic Guide – Klaus Malling Olsen (2018). Bloomsbury Publishing.

Other specific-interest books, such as those covering reptiles, mammals, and other aspects of natural history, etc.:

A Photographic Guide to the Wildlife of Sri Lanka – Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (2024). John Beaufoy Publishing.

Bradt Wildlife Guide: Sri Lankan Wildlife – Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (2022). Bradt Travel Guides.

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Mammals of Sri Lanka – Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (2020). John Beaufoy Publishing.

Marine Mammals of Sri Lanka: Field Guide for Identification – Howard Martenstyn (2013). Howard Martenstyn.

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Mammals of India: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka – Bikram Grewal and Rohit Chakravarty (2022). John Beaufoy Publishing.

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Reptiles of Sri Lanka – Anslem de Silva and Kanishka Ukuwela (2020). John Beaufoy Publishing.

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Reptiles of India: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka – Indraneil Das and Abhijit Das (2017). John Beaufoy Publishing.

Lizards of Sri Lanka: A Color Guide with Field Keys – N Somaweera and R Somaweera (2009). Edition Chimaira.

The Poisonous Terrestrial Snakes of Our British Indian Dominions (including Ceylon) and How to Recognize them: With Symptoms of Snake Poisoning Treatment – F Wall (1928). Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh.

Field Guide to the Butterflies of Sri Lanka – George Michael van der Poorten and Nancy E van der Poorten (2018). Lepodon Books.

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Butterflies and Dragonflies of Sri Lanka – Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (2018). John Beaufoy Publishing.

A Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Sri Lanka – Amila Prasanna Sumanapala (2017). Dilmah Conservation.

Indian Ocean Reef Guide: Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, South Africa, Mauritius, Madagascar, East Africa, Seychelles – Helmut Debelius (2013). ConchBooks.

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Trees of Sri Lanka – Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (2019). John Beaufoy Publishing.

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Flowers of Sri Lanka – Darshani Singhalage, Nadeera Weerasinghe, and Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (2018). John Beaufoy Publishing.

Fascinating Lichens of Sri Lanka – Gothamie Weerakoon (2015). Dilmah Conservation.

SOUND RECORDINGS

You can listen to and download a range of bird calls and songs from Sri Lanka on the excellent xeno-canto bird sound library. Additional recordings may be found on eBird species accounts and some of the apps referenced below.

USEFUL WEBSITE RESOURCES AND APPS

Aves Vox – this app allows you to download a good selection of bird songs from the xeno-canto website onto your smartphone.

eBird/Merlin – loads of information that is easy to gather on your smartphone or other devices such as tablets and computers. Sound, photo, and video galleries exist for almost every species in Sri Lanka, via the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library.

IOC World Bird List – the website gives all the latest information on world bird taxonomy according to the scientific body that we use at Birding Ecotours. You can learn about species that have been newly described, any recent and past splits (creation of a new species) and lumps (deletion of a species) of existing species, and plenty of additional useful information on distribution and taxonomy.

Lonely Planet – contains lots of general travel information on Sri Lanka, though some of the places we will be going to are not likely to be mentioned. If you are interested in extending your stay in Sri Lanka before or after the tour, this will help you find some must-see places.

Download Sri Lanka General Information