Deep in the misty mountains of Sri Lanka, hidden among mossy trees and rushing waterfalls, lives a very shy and special bird—he Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, Myophonus blighi recognised by its beautiful dark blue feathered coat, this cute little song bird is mysterious and special, and is found only in our beautiful Sri Lanka and nowhere else in the world.
What does it look like?
The Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush is a small bird, about the size of your hand. The male has dark blue feathers that shine in the sunlight, while the female is brownish with hints of blue. They both have sharp eyes and strong legs for hopping around on the forest floor.
But what really makes this bird special is not how it looks but how it sounds.
The forest’s flute player
If you ever walk through the cool cloud forests of places like Horton Plains or Peak Wilderness (near Sri Pada) and hear sounds like someone is softly whistling a tune deep within the jungles, you might very well be near a Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush. Its call is clear and sweet, like a little flute echoing through the trees.
People who love birds say the whistling thrush sings best in the early mornings or at sunset. It’s almost as if the bird is greeting the new day—and saying goodnight to the forest as the evening darkness envelops its home.
Where does it live?
This special bird lives in wet mountain forests that are cool and full of thick plants, streams, and rocks. It likes shady places with plenty of water, because it hunts for insects, worms, and small frogs near streams.
But it’s very shy. Even expert birdwatchers sometimes don’t get to see it. That’s why it’s often called a “secretive” bird. You might hear its song, but spotting it takes lots of patience and quiet.
In danger
Sadly, the Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush is in danger of disappearing forever and there are only a few of them left in the wild around 600-1,700 bird! Their forests are being cut down leaving them without a special place to call their home as they don’t like living near noisy people or busy roads as it’s a shy bird that is easily disturbed.
This bird is now listed as endangered, which means it needs our help to survive.
How can we help?
You can help protect the Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush by:
* Raising your little voices against deforestation and keeping our mountain areas clean
* Not disturbing wild birds when we go hiking or camping
* Learning about nature and teaching others to care for our environment
Even though this bird is small, its song is part of Sri Lanka’s natural music. If we take care of its home, we can make sure future generations can still hear its beautiful whistle.
So next time you’re hiking in the hills of Horton Plains near Sri Pada, pay close attention to the sounds around you. If you’re lucky, you just might hear the magical tune of the Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush—the secret singer living in our forests.
