Birding and Wildlife Tours with OrnithVacations

Contact us Via info@ornithvacations.com
our website- www.ornithvacations.com

Watching Ceylon Whisting Thrush or Arrenga on Our Birding Tours....

Ceylon Whistling Thrush or Arrenga is definitely a very  very special encounter in our Bird watching Tours, which most other bird watching tours would not offer, as it needs a lot of experience  in Birding and study on this extremely elusive endemic species, that ordinary Tour guides would not come-across.
 We take a very early start in a very chilly dawn from Nuwara eliya , to higher hills nearly 7000ft from sea level. we are headed to highland cloud forests of  Misty peaks.

View Point Worlds end, Photo Credit - Trip Advisor.co.uk

 When it comes to Bird watching central  Highlands of Sri Lanka has a lot to give. It is a misty paradise of Birds and named as a World Heritage Site by IUCN, considering the great capacity of diversity it offers the world.  We would reach the our destination with the first rays of the sun while our tour participants enjoy the view of sun rays in one side and the other  side still dark with the moon light and the clouds below them like you are flying above the clouds.

Sun is up on one side while moon is still there.

Clouds below you

 We then look for this early Bird which normally active in Dawn and Dusk and it is a regular sighting in our Tours with many more bird species including some other endemics ,thanks to our Bird Experts, who are not only Tour Leaders, but also countries foremost Bird watchers who have been studying bird life of Sri Lanka for many many years and love Birds as much as you do.

a record of a nest of This species by our Director /Bird Tour Leaders Tharanga Herath. This was the first record of this species building a nest in a man made settlement.

Sambas in plains

Watch Indian Pitta @ Sri Lanka with OrnithVacations Guided Birding Tours..

Indian Pitta

Subcontinent Endemic,
Hard to find in Motherland India, But a regular sight in OrnithVacations Birding Tours in Sri Lanka, from October to April.

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. 

                     Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is rich with 34 endemic Bird species and We are planning on a series of articles about the endemic Birds of Sri Lanka  and This is the First One of it.

01. Sri Lanka Blue Magpie (Urocissa ornata)

Perfectly colored Sri Lanka Blue magpie is an Medium sized  omnivorous bird with strong bill and feet, found in wet zone and mountain forests of Sri Lanka .
 Even though it is not very common, you will hear it's very  loud noisy, far carrying calls when a bird is available around  and mostly found in pairs or small groups.This species show very social behaviors, hopping through the foliage, seeking food and also can be seen feeding on the ground.
Nesting/Breeding season occurs from January to May and nesting high in forest trees.

Colouration/ID-
Cobalt Blue Body, Chestnut colour head,neck and wings and Red Bill. Long blue tail with black and then white tip. Red eye-ring.
Sexes alike.
Juveniles are paler and shorter tailed.

Global Status-
Endemic to Sri Lanka and Globally Threatened

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Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka . Poster illustrated by Tharanga Hearth.

Endemic Birds of  Sri Lanka
A Poster illustrated by OrnithVacations Director and Bird Tour Leader ,Wildlife Artist Tharanga Herath.This was published by Wildlife Trust ,Sri lanka.

Few highlights from our endemic Tours

Sri Lanka is home to 34 beautiful endemic Bird Species,which mostly  distributed in the wet zone rain forests of the island.Ornithvacations has an tailor made 10 Days endemic finder tour, which we mainly target these endemics, while watching other wonderful resident and migrant bird species.

We also have 08 days short visit birding trip, for those who cannot afford 10 or 14 days but still want to see these beauties.

Please Visit our website www.ornithvacations.com for more info or inquire via info@ornithvacations.com 

extremely colourful Sri Lanka Blue Magpie

Serendib Scops Owl. A rare addition to Sri Lankan endemic list,but usually seen in our Tours

Sri Lanka Hill Myna

Beautiful Kashmir Flycatcher is rarely seen at Motherland and a rare winter visitor to Sri Lanka and a usual sight at our  tours.

Lorikeet or Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot

Chestnut-backed Owlet