Top 10 Bird Watching Site & Tours In Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka offers bird watching tours that are unparalleled experiences for bird enthusiasts. Sri Lanka is blessed with wondrous avifauna. Our passionate birding guides invite you to avail yourself of the numerous opportunities to go bird watching in Sri Lanka with us.

Explore Sri Lanka’s extraordinary world of colourful birds along with the bonus of fascinating flora and fauna on bird watching tours Sri Lanka. The unique aspect of bird watching in Sri Lanka is that it’s a tropical island in the Indian Ocean situated 10° north of the equator which makes the island favourable for diverse climatic conditions and natural habitats such as forests, scrublands, grasslands, wetlands, seas and agricultural lands.

Bird Watching Tour by Cloud Nine Lanka Resort

Cloud nine Lanka offers their bird watching tour ensuring you witness the best of the birdlife in Wilpattu. Its unique location situated in a pathway of bird migration offers bird enthusiasts the opportunity to witness a diverse array of species. Cloud nine lanka personalizes your birding tour in Wilpattu according to your needs.

Duration:	2 to 3 hours
Best time to visit:	From October to end of March
Group size:	Individual, couple or groups of up to 10
Birding Tour Guide:	Our bird-watching tour includes both a spotter and a naturalist as guides, ensuring you have expert support for the best bird-watching experience. Our bird watching tour guides are friendly, Sri Lankan, well experienced and has a very good knowledge of birds of Sri Lanka, birding sites and Wilpattu eco system.
Extensions:	For a unique nocturnal experience, we also offer an extension for a loris-watching tour, where you can spot the fascinating Loris in their natural habitat.

Top 10 Bird Watching Site & Tours In Sri Lanka

1) Wilpattu National Park

Bird watching in Wilpattu is a rewarding activity due to the park’s impressive diversity of bird species. Approximately 200 bird species can be found here, including residents, migratory birds, and several endemic species. The varied ecosystems within the park, ranging from dense forests and open grasslands to scrublands and coastal belts, support this rich birdlife, making it a prime location for ornithologists and birding enthusiasts alike.

Highlights – Oriental Darter, Painted Stork, Black-necked Stork, Grey Heron, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Sri Lanka Woodshrike, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Sri Lanka Bay Owl, Crimson-fronted Barbe, Grey Hornbill, Blue faced Malkoha, Black napped Monarch, , Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Turnes and Ducks, Woolly – necked Stork, Black headed Ibies, Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle

2) Kitulgala Rain Forest (Kelani Valley Forest Reserve)

Kitulgala forest is secondary lowland rain forest reserve to protect the water shed of the Kelani River. The forest area extending up to the higher elevations, continuous with the Peak wilderness forest area, one of the best places to see Sri Lanka’s endemic birds.

Highlights – Green billed Caucal, Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Yellow fronted Barbet, Red faced Malkoha, Spot winged Thrush, Rofous Babbler, Ashey headed Laughingthrush, with lesser Yellow napped, Pygmy and Crimson backed wood peckers, Black Bulbul, Black napped Monarch and Ceylon frog mouth etc.

3) Sigiriya Sanctuary

Situated in and around the famous Sigiriya Rock this sanctuary is adjacent to the Minneriya National park. It is mainly a dry evergreen forest also with shrub forests, and dry deciduous forest. This is an ideal place to photograph forest birds such as Peacocks, Eagles and beautiful migrant Indian Pitta. The fauna also includes an elephant population—which migrates to the area from time to time—Sambar Deer and two varieties of monkeys.

4) Horton Plains National Park

Horton plains, its surroundings mountain forests and grasslands constitute Sri Lanka’s most important catchment area of most all major rivers. The plains are also of outstanding scenic beauty. It is of conservation importance, containing most of the habitats and endemics plants and animals representatives of the country’s wet and montane zones.

Highlights – A reliable site for the crepuscular Sri Lanka whistling Thrush (E), Endemic endangered bird. SL Blue Magpie (E), Mountain Hawk Eagle, Black Eagle, SL Hill Munia, Dull Blue flycatcher (E), Yellow eared Bulbul (E), Pied Bush Chat, Grey Tit, Black Bird, Sri Lanka Bush Wabler (E), Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon (E) etc.

5) Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is a popular hill resort providing cool and pleasant base for a number of Montane sites which include Victoria Park and Hakgala Botanical Garden. The spreading hills and vales are covered with the world’s best high grown tea bushes like a green carpet. The fragrance of fresh tea leaves from the tea factories infuse the mild air.

Highlights – Sri Lanka white Eye (E), Sri Lanka Bush Wabler (E), Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon (E), Dull Blue Flycatcher (E), Indian Blue Robin, Canary Flycatcher, Black Bird etc. (Hakgala)

6) Yala National Park (Ruhuna National Park)

The best park in Sri Lanka for viewing mammals but rich with birds too. Yala characteristic of dry zone tropical thorn forest, Scrub jungles, brackish lagoons and riverine habitats. Raptors could often be seen. During the North- East monsoon the lagoons are visited by thousands of migrating waders, turns and water birds.

Highlights – Crested serpent Eagle, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Tank Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Black necked Storks, Painted Storke, Lesser Adjutant, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue Faced Malkoha, Green and Eurasian Bee eater, Brahmany Myna, Rosy Starting, Hoopoo Pee Fowl, Pigeons and Doves, Parakeets and many more waders, Turns, Water birds etc.

7) Bundala Wetland and Bundala National Park

This is the First Ramsor site in Sri Lanka and it is the most important wetland for birds outside the Northern Province . The lagoons and saltants of the park are among the most important wintering areas for migratory shore birds in the Country.

Highlights – Greater Flamingo, Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl (E), Great Egret, Asian Open Bill, Black winged Stilt, Yellow wattled Lapwings, Painted Storks and Large numbers of migrants including Plovers, Sand Pipers, Turnes and Ducks, Rosy Starling, Bharahuramy Myna etc.

8) Uda Walawa National Park

This park is situated in the Dry Zone and renowned for its outstanding scenic beauty and wealth of faunal species, particularly mammals and birds. The possibility to view the elephants at close range has become another main attraction.

Highlights – Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Sri Lanka Grey Horn Bill (E), Malabar pied Horn Bill, Woolly – necked Stork, Black headed Ibies, Black shouldered Kite, Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Shikra, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue faced Malkoha etc.

9) Sinharaja Old Growth Rain forest

One of the best and easy sites. To see many of the endemics and mixed species birds feeding flocks. A UNESCO world heritage site since 1988 and home for the most endemic flora and fauna species in Sri Lanka.

Mixed species of bird flocks are one of the most interesting experience of the forest. As per very recent observations, this flocks reveal that over 40 individuals and 11 varieties of bird species averagely.

Highlights – Endemic birds such as Sri Lanka Magpie including Serendib Scops Owl who discovered very recently to the world.

10) Talangama wetland

This wetland, on the outskirts of Colombo, is bordered by motorable roads, which makes access easy for wildlife enthusiasts. The complex of ponds, canals and paddy fields make it a rich and varied wetland site. Over a hundred species of birds have been recorded in this area including Purple-faced Leaf Monkeys, an endangered endemic species. Talangama is also good for photographing butterflies and dragonflies.

Highlights – Pied Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Stork billed Kingfisher, Black Bittern, Yellow Bittern, Cinnomon Bittern, Crimson fronted Barbet, Black rumped Flameback.

Tips for Bird Watching in Sri Lanka

1. Early Morning and Late Afternoon

The best times for bird watching in Sri Lanka are early morning and late afternoon when birds are most active. The soft light during these times also provides excellent opportunities for photography.

2. Binoculars and Field Guide

Carry a good pair of binoculars and a field guide specific to Sri Lankan birds. This will help you identify species and enhance your bird watching in Sri Lanka experience.

3. Silent Observation

Move quietly and patiently to avoid disturbing the birds. Wearing neutral-colored clothing can also help you blend into the surroundings.

4. Guided Tours

Hiring a knowledgeable guide can greatly enhance your bird watching in Sri Lanka experience. Local guides are familiar with the best spots and can help identify species by sight and sound.

5. Respect the Wildlife

Maintain a respectful distance from birds and their habitats. Do not attempt to feed or provoke them, as this can cause stress and disrupt their natural behavior.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka has a great deal more to offer for those interested in Asian birds than its large number of endemic specialties. As it not only possesses a comparatively rich resident avifauna (including a host of restricted-range species shared only with South India) but also hosts an exciting selection of migrant visitors from both northern Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Combine the island’s excellent birding with its attractive scenery and ancient culture and you have a potent combination.

Not only does Sri Lanka have a diverse avifauna but, after two millennia of Buddhist-inspired regard for wildlife, many birds are tame and approachable, whilst even large mammals, including Asian Elephants, survive in good numbers in spite of a burgeoning human population.

FAQs on Top 10 Bird Watching Site & Tours in Sri Lanka

Q1. What is the best time to visit Wilpattu National Park?

A: Wilpattu National Park is a year-round destination for wildlife safaris. The most popular time to visit is during the May to September dry season, and in early October when the onset of the drought and die-back of vegetation heightens wildlife-viewing in and around the many waterholes.

Q2. Where can I watch birds in Sri Lanka?

A: Other essential destinations for bird watching tours in Sri Lanka include the Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary, Sinharaja Rain Forest, Bodinagala Forest Reserve, Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Kitulgala Forest Reserve, Yala, Udawalawe, Wagamuwa, Minneriya, and Horton Plains National Parks, and more.

Q3. What is the name of the famous bird sanctuary located in Sri Lanka?

A: The Kumana Bird Sanctuary established in 1938, is part of the Kumana National Park and is one of the most important nesting and breeding grounds for birds in Sri Lanka. Of the country’s 400 bird species, the Kumana Bird Sanctuary is known to have recorded 255 species of birds.