Sri Lanka is considered a top spot for birding with over 500 recorded species together with 34 endemics found nowhere else in the world. Bird Life International recognize Sri Lanka as one of the world’s top Endemic Bird Areas (EBA’s). Why is Sri Lanka one of the world’s best Bird Watching Tour Destinations? That is very high density of endemics given the size of the country. For visiting foreign birders, the key targets are the endemics that are found in the wet zone. To find these, it is essential to visit a good lowland rainforest site such as Sinharaja, Kithulgala and Kanneliya along with a montane site such as Horton Planes National Park. The mixed species bird flocks found moving through the rainforest canopy within Sinharaja are believed to be the longest studied and largest in the world, which is popularly dubbed as the Sinharaja Bird wave. The dense cover within the tropical rainforests is ideal habitat for elusive owl species such as the iconic Serendib Scops Owl which was only discovered in 2001 as a new species, and the Chestnut Backed Owlet.
The greatest number of species can be encountered in the dry lowlands in Kumana, Yala, Bundala, Wilpattu, Wasgamuwa & Uda Walawe National Parks. The lowlands are home to Sri Lanka’s national bird the Sri Lanka Junglefowl. One of the most beautiful birds in these forests is the Indian Peafowl with its colorful mating dance. During the onset of the northern hemisphere winter, a large number of migrant species leave as far as Europe and Siberia is to Sri Lanka to escape the bitterly cold climate. Specially if you’re travelling during that period, we arrange islands best Bird Watching Tours in Sri Lanka together with birding specialists. The far north of the country, namely in Mannar and Jaffna is best visited during December to March with many migrant and resident wader bird species. If you plan to do Bird Watching Tours of Sri Lanka do not hesitate to write us, we have experts to tailor-made your Bird Watching Tour in Sri Lanka.