1. Sri Lanka Spurfowl. (Galloperdix bicalcarata)

This shy and secretive forest dweller is an ultra-elusive endemic. Its species name suggests the presence of two spurs which incidentally is not a feature restricted to this species as the two Indian Spurfowls also bear that. However, this is the only Spurfowl that has a red bill. Its cackling early morning choruses are unmistakable and add a distinct flavour to the forest’s melodies. Expert ventriloquists, they often call while moving making it more difficult to track them down. Sri Lanka Spurfowl was discovered by Joan Gideon Loten, the Dutch governor of Sri Lanka from 1752-1758 who commissioned a Sri Lankan artist of European descent named Pieter Cornelis de Bevere to illustrate his specimens. Later on based on these paintings this was named by the famous Johann Reinhold Forster in 1781, the man who first elucidated the ‘species-area relationship’ to the world.

2. Sri Lanka Junglefowl. (Gallus lafayettii)

This forest chicken is one of the most widely distributed endemics found from sea level up to 2100 m above sea level in wet and dry zone forests alike. Its ‘chuck-joy joyce’ call of the male is unmistakable. It was described half a century after the preceding species in 1831 by Rene Primevere Lesson. Its species name has been named in honour of Lafayette, a French solider, liberal republican statesman and hero of the America War of Independence. Sri Lanka Junglefowl is the national bird of Sri Lanka and two of the best places to it are Sinharaja and Yala.

3. Crimson-backed Flameback (Chrysocolaptes stricklandi)

Elevated to the prestigious endemic-club recently by Rasmussen and Anderton in 2005, this handsome forest woodpecker is best told apart in Sri Lanka by the strikingly similar Black-rumped Flameback by its ivory coloured bill, whitish iris, ‘white island’ in the cheek and its distinct high pitched trilling call. Female as shown in the picture has a black crown and is flecked with small white spots (‘salt and pepper’). It is found in the wet and dry zone in forests and well wooded country. This was discovered by Edgar Leopold Layard (1824-1900) who served in the civil service between 1846-1853 and was named in 1849 by Edward Blyth, Curator of the Museum of the Asiatic Society of Bengal in Calcutta.

4. Yellow-fronted Barbet. (Megalaima flavifrons)

This is a common endemic and its far reaching calls are a signature feature of the rainforests of Sri Lanka. It is distinguished clearly by other Barbets by its yellow forehead and blue face. This is a regular member of the mixed species bird flocks in Sinharaja. Yellow-fronted Barbet was described in 1817 by the renowned French systamatist Baron Georges Curvier who is more famous for his pioneering work on local freshwater fish.

5. Crimson-fronted Barbet (Megalaima rubricapillus)

This has made a re-entry to the elite endemic club following Rasmussen and Anderton (2005), after having a few issues over its membership. This widely distributed barbet is the only endemic that could be seen in Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. It could be identified from the similar looking Coppersmith Barbet by its orange yellow eye-ring and throat (yellow in CB), pale bluish head sides and largely unstreaked green underparts. It was formally described by Johann Friedrich in 1789. Its species name means ‘red hair’ which alludes to its conspicuous red forehead.

6. Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill. (Ocyceros gingalensis)

This is the only grey hornbill found in Sri Lanka, which makes its identification straightforward. It has no casque on the bill. The males could be identified by its cream beak with black base to upper mandible whereas the female has a black beak with yellow stripe on the cutting edge of the upper mandible. It is widely distributed in forested habitats up to 1,200 m above sea level. According to Legge 1880 this was hunted by the natives for flesh, which is described to be ‘tender and not distasteful’. Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill was described by an Englishman named George Shaw in 1811.

7. Red-faced Malkoha. (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus)

This good looking Malkoha is found in good quality forests in the wet zone and tall riverine forests in the dry zone. Sinharaja rainforest is arguably the best place to see it where it is considered a regular member of the mixed species bird flock having recorded in 48 % of the flocks studied so far. It flits in the thick foliage discreetly often ‘melting away’ suddenly to rematerialize in another place moments later making it difficult to obtain prolonged views. This was described by Thomas Pennant in 1769 through engravings made by de Bevere after it was discovered by Loten. It is listed as ‘vulnerable’ by Birdlife International. To read more about this interesting Malkoha Click here.

8. Green-billed Coucal. (Centropus chlororhynchos)

This elusive endemic is a hot favourite in the birder’s menu. It is essentially found in secondary forests with undergrowth dominated by Bamboo and tree ferns. It also visits well-wooded home gardens adjoining the forests and may present eye ball views not living up to its reputation of being somewhat of a tough cookie. The bamboo-dominated Bodhinagala forest holds a good population of it and Kithulgala and Sinharaja are also good for it. Its characteristic booming call has a sonorous and mournful quality. It was discovered by Layard and described by Blyth in 1849.

9. Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot. (Loriculus beryllinus)

Often seen whizzing past in great speed, this active and acrobatic endemic is best seen in the wet zone forested habitats. Its species name refers to beryl, a precious stone found in Sri Lanka which is of sea green colour. It is notoriously known to like sweet toddy of coconut & fish-tail palms and become ‘drunk’ just like some of its local countrymen rendering it easier to capture it. This too was described by Johann Reinhold Forster in 1781 though engravings made by de Bevere. Its common name alludes to its peculiar sleeping posture of it like that of a bat.

10. Layard's Parakeet. (Psittacula calthropae

This is distributed in the wet and intermediate zones ascending up to 1700 m. It moves about in small flocks often uttering loud calls. It is occasionally seen in joining the mixed species bird flocks in Sinharaja. Entirely frugivorous and strictly arboreal, Layard’s Parakeet has not exploited the abundant cultivation crops available. It was discovered by Edgar Leopold Layard and named by Sir Edward Blyth in 1849. The species name calthropae is honour of Lady Calthrop, Layard’s wife.

11. Serendib Scops Owl (Otus thilohoffmanni)

Discovered in 2001 by Deepal Warakogoda, the country’s foremost ornithologist and formally described by Warakogoda and Rasmussen in 2004. This avian jewel is named in honour of Thilo Hoffmann, a top conservationist who spearheaded a campaign for saving the Sinharaja rainforest from complete logging where the discoverer first laid eyes on it. It is only known from a handful of larger lowland rainforests and appears to be a habitat-specialist found in secondary rainforest patches with tall dense successional growth. Last endemic species to be discovered before this was Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush in 132 years before, in the Victorian era of discovery.

12. Chestnut-backed Owlet. (Glaucidium castanonotum)

This is good looking pigmy owl is diurnal in its habits and prefers taller forest trees. Often heard in forested habitats & well-wooded gardens, spotting one through the chaos of rainforest vegetation may require hard work. Kithulgala, Sinharaja and Bodhinagala are three good places to see this. Formally regarded as conspecific with Jungle Owlet or Asian Barred Owlet, it is considered a distinct species based on its morphology and vocalization. It was discovered by Robert Templeton an Irish Medical officer with the Royal Artillery who was stationed in Sri Lanka during 1839-1848 and described formally by Blyth in 1849.

13. Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon. (Columba torringtonii)

Essentially a montane endemic, being generally seen in the mountains, this arboreal pigeon is also known to descend to much lower elevations such as Sinharaja and well wooded gardens of Kandy in search of their favourite fruiting trees. Horton Plains, Hakgala, Nuwara Eliya are some of the places to look for it. This was discovered by Edward Fedric Kelaart (1818-1860) who was a Sri Lankan doctor of Dutch origin and was named in 1854 by Blyth. Species name honours Torrington, Viscountess, wife of George Byng, Viscount Torrington governor of Ceylon from 1847-1850.

14. Sri Lanka Green Pigeon. (Treron pompadora)

This widely distributed Green pigeon was formally considered conspecific with Pompadour Green Pigeon but was elevated to the endemic status by Rasmussen and Anderton in 2005. It is found in good numbers in forested habitats such as Kithulgala, Gilimale and Sinharaja where they are often seen perched on open branches for prolonged periods. The song is a human like melodious whistle. It was named by Gmelin based on Governor Loten’s collections.

15. Sri Lanka Blue Magpie. (Urocissa ornata)

This blue and chestnut knock-out is on the top of every visiting birder’s wish list. It is mostly found in pairs or small groups. Its genus Urocissa shows discontinuous distribution being found in Sri Lanka, absent in south India and found again in Northern India and Taiwan and thus remains an interesting topic of biogeography. It was named by Johann Georg Wagler in 1829. Its species names means ‘caparisoned’. This handsome Corvid is found in the remaining good quality wet zone forests. Sinharaja remains its foremost stronghold.

16. Sri Lanka Crested Drongo (Dicrurus lophorinus)

This was spit from Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and elevated to the exclusive endemic club by Rasmussen and Anderton in 2005. It shows distinct differences in plumage from the former namely short rounded nasal crest and much more deeply forked tail lacking rackets. Its vocalizations are also distinct and has a wide repertoire of calls. It is a nuclear species of the mixed species bird flock in Sinharaja rainforest found in 89 % of the flocks studied so far second only to Orange-billed Babbler, which has a 92 % presence. It is extremely skilled at mimicry, a skill it uses for good effect to confuse birds and birders. To read more about this interesting Drongo Click here.

17. Sri Lanka Woodshrike (Tephrodornis affinis)

Yet another addition to the ever growing endemics tally, this is a rather common resident found mainly in the dry zone. This was formally regarded as conspecific with the Common Woodshrike (T.pondicerianus) but considered a spilt due to the striking differences in plumage features and vocalisations. It has a dark grey cheek patch bordered by a pale submoustachial below and a weaker eyebrow above. It has a white rump, black uppertail-coverts and tail with white outer tail features. Furthermore it shows strong sexual dimorphism with male being greyish and the female much browner, which is not shown in the Common Woodshrike. It has a slightly serrated cutting edge in the beak, which it uses to good effect to bite the hands of ringers.

18. Sri Lanka Whistling-thrush. (Myophonus blighi)

This ultra-secretive endemic is essentially a high-altitude bird found in the cloud forests. A crepuscular bird, it is found mainly in densely wooded ravines and gorges close to streams. It is sexually dimorphic with male appearing blackish blue and the female dark brown. Both show a bright blue shoulder patch though seeing this at poor light can be difficult. This was discovered by Lord Walden and described in 1872 by Edmund Holdsworth, a marine biologist who was in Sri Lanka from 1841-1915. Its species name honours Samuel Bligh a tea planter in Haputale District. Its generic name given by Temminck (1822) comprise of Greek roots myio – a fly and phoneus –a killer possibly named in belief that it was a flycatcher. It is the only Sri Lankan endemic listed as Endangered by Birdlife International owing to habitat loss.

19. Spot-winged Thrush. (Zoothera spiloptera)

This handsome thrush is found in forests and adjoining well wooded home gardens. It is found from lowlands up to 2100 m above sea level. It is usually shy during the day but turns bold in dawn and dusk when it is often met on forest footpaths hopping often only a couple of feet away, stopping when you slow down and continuing to walk ahead as you advance as if to guide you through the lost trails. It is one of the best songsters of the rainforests in Sri Lanka and Sinharaja rainforest is one of the best places to see it.. It was discovered by Templeton and described by Blyth in 1847. To read more about this interesting Thrush Click here.

20. Sri Lanka Scaly Thrush (Zoothera imbricata)

Yet another species formally regarded as endemic by Legge 1880 but later regarded as conspecific with Z. dauma. It has been elevated into endemic status by Rasmussen and Anderton in 2005 based on its distinct plumage and vocalization. This shy forest dweller has an unusual profile for a Thrush. To find food, it uses its very long bill to good effect vigorously moving the leaf litter. This was originally collected by Thwaites and described by Layard in 1854 as an endemic.

21. Dull-blue Flycatcher. (Eumyias sordida)

This is essentially montane bird is greyish blue overall with a brighter blue forehead. It was formally described by Viscount Arthur Walden in 1870. Its species name means sordid meaning dirty which is also reflected in its common name, a rude scientific insult as it looks better than most other drab coloured birds. It can bee seen in high elevation forests and well wooded gardens. Horton Plains, Nuwara Eliya, Peak Wilderness and Hakgala Botanical Gardens are some of the good places for this endemic.

22. White-faced Starling. (Sturnus albofrontata)

This a ‘regular member’ of the mixed species bird flocks in Sinharaja which is one of its strongholds together with Peak Wilderness Sanctuary. It is often found in the canopy level where it perches on dead branches and rattan fronds to offer decent scope views. This was yet another endemic species discovered in 1854 by Edgar Leopold Layard in his 8 years’ residence in the island. This is listed as vulnerable by Birdlife International due to habitat loss.

23. Sri Lanka Myna. (Gracula ptilogenys)

Essentially a canopy bird found in broad-leaved forests up to 2000 m above sea level, Sri Lanka Myna is mainly identifiable from Lesser Hill Myna by the lack of facial and crown wattles and bearing only a single pair of wattles on its nape. Their far-carrying shrilling calls are unmistakable and could often be heard in flight over the dense forest canopy. The species name ptilogenys is of Greek origin and is made out of ptilon meaning feather and genyos meaning cheek, which refers to its completely feathered face. This was discovered by Templeton and named by Blyth.

24. Sri Lanka Swallow (Hirundo hyperythra)

Formally considered conspecific with Red-rumped Swallow, Sri Lanka Swallow was elevated as an endemic by Rasmussen and Anderton in 2005, due to its distinct plumage and vocalisations. It is similar to Red-rumped Swallow but it is darker overall with unstreaked dark rufous underparts and rump and bears short tail streamers. Its got a characteristic musical call. It was discovered by Layard in 1849 and described by Blyth who considered it an endemic.

25. Black-capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus)

This is yet another species that has made a re-entry to the endemic-club following the recent taxonomic evaluation by Rasmussen and Anderton 2005. It was originally described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789 based on collections made by Governor Loten and was considered an endemic then. It occurs in pairs or groups and can be often seen making hovering sallies for insects in mixed species bird flocks. The species name is of Greek origin and is made out of melanos meaning black which refers to its head and ikteros meaning jaundice which refers to its yellowy underparts. It is a rather common endemic in the wet zone forests.

26. Yellow-eared Bulbul. (Pycnonotus penicillatus)

This common montane endemic is often found in pairs or small flocks. Its species name refers to its yellow tuft over the ear, which gives it a handsome look. It could be easily seen in home gardens and as well as forests around Nuwara Eliya. This was discovered by Kelaart and named by Blyth in 1851.

27. Sri Lanka White-eye. (Zosterops ceylonensis)

As the preceding species this too is a common montane endemic and is often found in groups found in home gardens and forests alike. It is distinctly darker overall compared to the Oriental White-eye. This was discovered by Lord Walden and named by Holdsworth in 1872. Its species name is the Latin rendering of the island’s British Colonial name Ceylon. You can see this in forests and gardens around Nuwara Eliya without going into too much pain.

28. Sri Lanka Bush-warbler. (Elaphrornis palliseri)

This is elusive montane endemic is confined to forests with dense undergrowth. It skulks cleverly quite low down. It has been placed on a genus on its own by Rasmussen and Anderton (2005), considering its strongly distinct morphology and vocalisation compared to all Asian Bush Warblers. The species is named after Cecil Palliser, a coffee planter in the 19th century. This was discovered by Kelaart and named by Blyth in 1852.

29. Ashy-headed Laughingthrush. (Garrulax cinereifrons)

This is the only Laughing Thrush found in Sri Lanka and is a regular member of the mixed species bird flocks in Sinharaja which is arguably the best location to see this rare endemic. Its species name is made out of cineris meaning ashes and frons meaning fore-parts. This was discovered by Kelaart and named by Blyth in 1852. It is considered as vulnerable by Birdlife International.

30. Brown-capped Babbler. (Pellorneum fuscocapillum)

This widely distributed endemic is usually found in territorial pairs in the wet and dry zone forested habitats. Its ‘pretty-dear’ sounding call is characteristic and enables to locate it in the undergrowth. Sigiriya, Kithulgala and Sinharaja are some of the better places to see this endemic Babbler. It occurs in three sub-species within Sri Lanka with the wet zone forms appearing darker than the dry zone one. This was discovered by Layard and was described by Blyth in 1849.

31. Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler (Pomatorhinus [schisticeps] melanurus)

Formerly considered conspecific with Indian Scimitar Babbler, this is yet another addition to the ever increasing endemics tally of Sri Lanka. It is smaller than it and has rich rufescent-brown upperparts and flanks. Their resonant calls are unmistakable and the pairs utter duets. They can be found joining the mixed-species bird flocks in Sinharaja probing tree trunks with their uniquely shaped bill. This was discovered by Templeton and named by Blyth.

32. Orange-billed Babbler. (Turdoides rufescens)

This is one of the two nuclear members of the mixed-species bird flocks studied at Sinharaja being present in 92 % of the flocks studied so far. Highly gregarious, it occurs in flocks averaging 16 and is mainly responsible for the high bird numbers in the flock, which average 42 individuals. It is entirely restricted to the wet zone forests and well wooded habitats and occupies from the under storey up to the canopy. It’s characteristic chattering often help to locate the presence of mixed species bird flocks at Sinharaja. This was discovered by Templeton and named by Blyth in 1847.

33. Legge's Flowerpecker. (Dicaeum vincens)

This diminutive endemic is essentially a lowland rainforest specialty. It was described by Phillip Lutley Sclater in 1872 through a specimen collected in 1871 by William Vincent Legge, officer in the Royal Artillery between 1868-1877 and named in honour of legge whose monumental work ‘A History of Birds of Ceylon’ is still a valuable source of reference on Sri Lankan ornithology. Legge's Flowerpecker prefers top most levels of the forest but also descend quite low down to feed on the fruits of the invasive pioneer shrub Clidemia hirta along forest trails in Sinharaja affording eye-ball views.