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.