Grey-Headed Fish Eagle

The Grey-Headed Fish Eagle is a bird of prey. Like all eagles, it is in the family Accipitridae. The Grey-headed Fish Eagle is a largish stocky raptor at about 70–75 cm in length. This eagle is a specialist fish eater which hunts over lakes, rivers and lagoons. This eagle is a resident breeder in the forests of the Indian Subcontinent east to Southeast Asia. 

Captured at Wasgamuwa National Park...

The Green Imperial Pigeon

The Green Imperial Pigeon is a large, plump pigeon, in 45 centimeters in length. This is a forest species which is a widespread resident breeding bird in tropical southern Asia from India east to Indonesia. This is an arboreal dove, feeding on plant material in the tree canopy.

Its back, wings and tail are metallic green. The head and underparts are white.

Captured in Malambe Comlmbo - Sri Lanka,

Lesser Yellownape - Woodpecker

The Lesser Yellownape is a type of woodpecker which is a widespread and often common breeder in tropical and sub-tropical Asia, primarily the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

It ranges from India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka eastwards toThailand, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Much of the scientific knowledge gathered about this species is sourced from formal studies in various parts of India.

This is a jungle species which nests in a tree hole, laying two to four white eggs. Like other woodpeckers, this species has a straight pointed bill, a stiff tail to provide support against tree trunks, and zygodactyl or “yoked" feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backward. The long tongue can be darted forward to capture insects.

The Lesser Yellownape is a largish species at 27 cm in length. It has a typical woodpecker shape. The upperparts are green apart from the bright yellow tufted nape. The neck and breast are green and the belly is whitish, finely barred with green. The rump and tail are blackish.

The adult male Lesser Yellownape has a green head with a white throat. He has red markings above the eye and above the nape, and red moustachial stripes. Females have only a red patch above the ear coverts. Young birds are like the female, but duller. The subspecies occurring in peninsular India has a greyer head.

Three subspecies are known. Himalayan nominate, Peninsular chlorigaster, SL wellsi.

Captured in Pannipitiya Colombo Sri Lanka

Weaver Bird

Baya Weaver is a Weaver Bird found across in the Indian Sub Continent and Southeast Asia. These nest colonies are usually found on thorny trees or palm fronds and the nests are often built near water or hanging over water where predators cant reach easily. A male bird is known to make 500 trips to complete a nest.

These sparrow size bird is 15 cm in length.They have a stout conical bill and a short square tail. Baya Weavers are social and unreserved birds. They forged in flocks for seeds, both on the plant and on the ground. They are known to glean paddy and other grain in harvested fields, and occasionally damage ripening crops and are therefore sometimes considered as pests.

Captured in Wasgamuwa National Park.

Kudiramalai Point - One of the scenic places in Sri Lanka

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2013/12/08/spe01.asp

Sri Lanka Safari Highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtwxRO5YOEw

The Hoopoe

The Hoopoe is a colorful bird that is found across Afro-Eurasia. Hoopoe is a medium sized bird 44-48 Centimeters in length and weighing up to 46-90 g. Hoopoe has broad and rounded wings capable of strong flight.  Hoopoe is widespread in Europe, Asia and North Africa. This bird is known as a migrant bird in Sri Lanka.

Hoopoe mainly feeds on insects, small reptiles and frogs.

Captured in Yala National Park