Endemic birds of Sri Lanka | Sunday Observer

Endemic birds of Sri Lanka

16 September, 2018

Hill myna

The Sri Lanka Hill myna, Ceylon myna or Sri Lanka myna (Gracula ptilogenys), is a member of the starling family. This bird is endemic to Sri Lanka.

This passerine is typically found in forests and cultivations. The Sri Lanka myna builds its nest in holes. The normal clutch is two eggs.

These 25 cm long birds have green-glossed black plumage, purple-tinged on the head and neck. There are large white wing patches, which are obvious in flight. The strong legs are bright yellow, and there are yellow wattles on the nape.

The different shape and position of the wattles and the stouter orange-red bill distinguish this species from the Southern hill myna, which is also found in Sri Lankan forests. The sexes are similar, but juveniles have a duller bill.

Like most starlings, the Sri Lanka myna is fairly omnivorous, eating fruit, nectar and insects.

In Sri Lanka, this bird is known in many names including Selalihiniya, Mal kawadiya, Kampatiya in Sinhala.

The name Selalihiniya is often mentioned in poems and other similar literature and is quoted for its melodious calls. This bird appears on 10 rupee Sri Lankan postal stamps.

It is also the media icon of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.

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Grey hornbill

The Sri Lanka grey hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis) is a bird in the hornbill family and a widespread and common endemic resident breeder in Sri Lanka. Hornbills are a family of tropical near-passerine birds found in the Old World. The Sri Lanka grey hornbill is a gregarious bird found in forest habitats. The Sri Lanka grey hornbill is a large bird at 45 centimetres (18 in) in length. It has grey wings with black primary flight feathers, a grey back, and a brown crown. Its long tail is blackish with white sides, and the underparts are white. The long, curved bill has no casque. Sexes are similar, although the male has a cream-coloured bill, whereas the female is black with a cream stripe. Immature birds have dark grey upperparts, a cream bill, and a tail with a white tip. Its flight is slow and powerful.

The female lays up to four white eggs in a tree hole blocked off during incubation with a cement made of mud, droppings and fruit pulp. There is only one narrow aperture, barely wide enough for the male to transfer food to the mother and chicks. These birds usually live in pairs or small flocks consisting up to five birds (2 adults and 2-3 juveniles). They are omnivores consuming berries, fruits, insects and small lizards. They feed mostly on figs and occasionally eat small rodents, reptiles and insects.

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Green-billed coucal

The green-billed coucal (Centropus chlororhynchos) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis and the cuckoos.

It is endemic to Sri Lanka. The green-billed coucal is a rare and shy species of the tall rainforests of southwest Sri Lanka. It nests in a bush and the typical clutch is 2–3 eggs.

This is a medium to large species at 43 cm. Its head and body are purple-black, the wings are maroon above and black below and the long tail is dark green. The bill is a distinctive light green. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are duller and streaked. The green-billed coucal takes a wide range of insects, caterpillars and small vertebrates, but snails are a favourite. It occasionally eats other food items.This species is somewhat smaller and less contrasted than the more widespread greater coucal. Despite its size and distinctive call, this is a difficult species to see because of the dense habitat in which it lives and its retiring nature. This coucal has a small and declining population as a result of forest destruction. In Sri Lanka, this bird is known as bata atti-kukula or, wal atti-kukula in Sinhala. This bird appears on Rs. 20 Sri Lankan postal stamps.

-Internet

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