Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Special Discount of "10% Off from the TOUR COST"  is available for all our Tailor-made Tour Packages and Custom Tour Packages from 8 Days Endemic special to 14 Days Country List Special. Starting from US$ 1098 , 

Please contact us Via info@ornithvacations.com or ornithvacations@gmail.com for more information with your details and requirements, before 01st  July 2018

 

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Endemic Birds Of Sri Lanka

4.Chestnut-backed Owlet (Glaucidium radiatum)

This endemic is an uncommon species seen from lowlands to high hills of the wet zone. it is an barred small owlet,in  size of a collard scopes owl and similar to Jungle Owlet except the bright Chestnut Colour on its back,scapulars and wing coverts.  
This shy owlet prefers tops of the tall trees, and very diurnal in its behavior and sometimes seen hunting and calling in day light too. It mainly feeds on Insects,Mice, small lizards, and birds. Breeding season occurs from March to May and lays about 02 glossy white eggs in a hole of a tree trunk or a limb.

Coloration /ID

About 20 am in size. Bright Chestnut back,scapulars and wing coverts. White underparts with heavily streaked with blackish streaks. Head dark brown and barred with whitish. Feet pale yellow and irides Bright Yellow.

 

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka

3. Serendib Scops Owl- Otus thilohoffmanni

Serendib Scops owl is a recent addition to Sri Lanka's endemic list and a very rare and elusive species found in wet low lands up to mid hills.
This small owl is well camouflaged in his uniform rufous colour upper parts with tiny black spots and orange/yellow eyes.
This species is nocturnal and territorial, and prefers dense forests. Seen in Pairs or single .when exited it forms a false ear tufts but not seen while resting.
Call is soft and short but far caring.
This species is listed as globally threatened

Colouration/ID

Rufous upper parts with tiny black spots, under parts pale rufous with black spots, Whitish Bill, and Pinkish white legs. Face is also Rufous but misses the black markings. Ear tufts are seen only when exited or in alert. Eyes Orange or Yellow
Juveniles and females got Yellow Iris while males got orange.



Monday, June 4, 2018

Our Tour Leaders - Chaminda Dilruk


Chaminda is a well-known name in bird tour circles and has been in bird tours field for about 18 years. He has a great reputation specially in locating and spotting elusive bird species, including one of the most looked for Serendib Scops Owl. With a long held full time wilderness experience and expertise as a guide, OrnithVacations is proud to receive his service. Chaminda would be an excellent companion for anyone who is willing to traverse anywhere in Sri Lanka looking for all these elusive birds.
We highly recommend him as your tour leader, as he would make your visit a great success. 

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka 

2.Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot ( Ceylon Lorikeet) - 

loriculus beryllinus

This very little parrot (14cm) is a fairly common species in wet lowlands to mid hills, and restricted to the foot hills, of Sri Lanka.You can hear their high frequency call, made by flying birds, while walking in forested areas . This species Mostly prefers to be  paired or seen single and seen resting up side down on branches like bats in wooded areas.
Lorikeets mostly feeds on Fruits and seeds there are records of them found dead inside local toddy pots as they are fond of drinking toddy.
They make nests in holes of the tree trunks,mainly in March to June and also in August and September.
 
Coloration/ID
Adult male has a crimson crown, Golden tinged nape,blue throat,orange cast to mantle,Crimson rump and upper tail-coverts and a orange bill. The  females are little duller in colors and less blue on throat. Juveniles has more green on the head and no blue on throat at all.Tail is short and rather square in shape. 


Hanging Parrot is surly a joyful sight to a bird watcher.


 

This beautiful and very photogenic species is also one of the highlights in our birding tours.