A Guide to the Best Places for Bird Watching in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The country is thought to have approximately 230 resident bird species, of which 26 are considered to be endemic. In addition, as many as 200 migratory species visit the Island, the majority of them during the northern winter season beginning around September and extending to April. The country offers a rich and varied experience for birdwatchers within a relatively small geographical area; from the curious resident or casual visitor to the enthusiast ‘birder’. The distribution of species depends on the distinctive climatic and geographical features of the country. Here are the top places to go birdwatching in Sri Lanka:

In the vicinity of Colombo are the wetlands of Baddegana, Diyatha Uyana and Talangama, east of the city. If you want to go birdwatching in Colombo, you can also head to the Attidiya marshes in the south west and the Muthurajawela marshes north of the city, towards the airport. They are easily accessible, with each habitat having over 100 species, including some rare sightings of endemic birds as well as migrants. Stay in top hotels in the area which offer birding trails, such as Jetwing Blue and Jetwing Sea. Of the migrants, the Blue tailed Bee Eater, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Wagtail, Shrike and Glossy Ibis are frequent visitors.

Further away and closer to the airport are the Negombo lagoon and mangroves, covering an area of 3000 hectares, connecting to the Muthurajawela at its southern end. Although not as rich in avifauna as the three zones above, those who want to go bird watching in Negombo can spot around 45 species here, half of which are aquatic varieties. Find accommodation in nearby luxury hotels like Jetwing Beach.

In the drier North Central and Northern provinces, in addition to the varieties common to the wet zone, bird watchers can spot species which are more at home in the drier scrub jungles, wooded areas and rice fields. Among them are the Rollers, the Weavers, Hornbill and Hoopoes. Also seen are the rarer Woodpeckers and Flame Backs. The dry zone also has many large water bodies known as Tanks or “Wevas” used for agriculture. These attract aquatic birds as well as raptors such as the Black shouldered and Brahminy Kites and diverse Eagle species.

Many of Sri Lanka’s 26 endemic birds have been spotted in the Sinharaja rain forest, a recognised biodiversity hotspot. Book bird watching tours in Sri Lanka to see species such as the Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Ashy headed Thrush, the Scimitar Babbler, and Red faced Malkoha. Another sought-after sighting here is the Sri Lanka Frogmouth. In the higher hills, the Nuwara Eliya district is a great location to observe the Streaked Fantail Warbler, Eurasian Blackbird and the Yellow Eared Bulbul. There are several species whose natural habitat is in the high Horton Plains plateau, including the Sri Lanka White Eye and the Dull blue Flycatcher.

Ella also offers great birdwatching, and visitors can stay in hotels like Jetwing Kaduruketha to see local birds like the Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Emerald-collared Parakeet and more.

The southern coastal regions of Sri Lanka are a paradise for birdwatchers, offering a diverse range of resident and migratory bird species. Key hotspots include Bundala National Park, Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary, Rekawa Lagoon, and Koggala Lake.

While Bundala lies to the south of the Yala National Park, close to Hambantota, Kumana is on its more isolated eastern edge. Both are known for their profusion of bird life, especially the aquatic species, including large numbers of winter migrants. A mixture of shallow salt water lagoons, freshwater ponds and dry zone forest cover offer a varied habitat for over 250 bird species. Notable species include the Greater Flamingo, Black-winged Stilt, Eurasian Spoonbill, Lesser Whistling Duck, Pied Kingfisher, Brown-winged Kingfisher, White-bellied Sea Eagle and Indian Peafowl.

Sri Lanka is a bird watcher’s dream, with an abundance of resident bird species, along with endemics and migratory species that visit during the northern winter. This makes it an ideal destination for both casual and dedicated bird enthusiasts.