Yala national park Srilanka

16/01/2026

Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) in action!
This species stands out immediately with its bold black-and-white plumage: the heavily spotted or barred wings (black spots/scales on white), black crown and crest, prominent white supercilium (eyebrow stripe), black eye-stripe extending to the nape, white throat and underparts with a black breast band (double in males, single or broken in females—hard to tell here from the angle), and that long, straight black dagger-like bill. The wings show extensive white patches/flights feathers contrasting sharply with the dark barring, which is classic for this bird in flight.
Pied Kingfishers are medium-sized (about 25–30 cm long) water kingfishers, and unlike most others that perch-and-dive, they're famous for their sustained hovering behavior—like a feathered helicopter—over lakes, rivers, canals, lagoons, or even coastal waters while scanning for small fish. They then plunge bill-first to catch prey, often swallowing it mid-air or on a perch. Your photo captures that dynamic flight perfectly against the dark water backdrop, highlighting their agile, direct flight style.
In Sri Lanka (super common in the lowlands, including around Negombo's wetlands, lagoons, and waterways like the Muthurajawela Marsh or nearby canals), they're resident year-round in wet and dry zones. They're one of the seven kingfisher species here—the only one with this distinctive pied (black-and-white) pattern, making them unmistakable. Locals often call them "Karaw" or similar names.

16/01/2026

Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) in flight!
This bird is instantly recognizable by its vivid turquoise-blue wings (especially the striking contrast of bright blue primaries and secondaries against the darker blue inner parts), rufous-brown (chestnut) head and body, and the slightly hooked bill. The white throat isn't very visible here due to the angle, but the overall pattern matches perfectly: brown upper body/head with those electric blue flight feathers flashing prominently when it flies or displays.
Indian Rollers are medium-sized (about 30–34 cm long), stocky birds in the roller family (Coraciidae). They're famous for their acrobatic rolling displays during breeding season—hence the name "roller"—and are often seen perched on wires or open branches before swooping down for insects.
They're widespread across the Indian subcontinent (including Sri Lanka, where you're located in Negombo), parts of the Middle East, and into Southeast Asia. In Sri Lanka, they're fairly common in open country, farmlands, scrub, and light woodlands—often called "Danduwa" or similar in local languages.
Beautiful capture—those blues really pop against the sky! If this was taken locally, it's a great example of one of the region's most colorful residents. 😊

16/01/2026

Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus).
Key features that match from the image:

Dark brown head and neck, sharply contrasting with the paler brownish-gray body.
Short, stubby bill that's mostly dark with a noticeable pink(ish) band/mark near the tip (typical for this species; the bill isn't fully bright pink/orange like some other geese).
Pink legs and feet clearly visible in flight.
Overall compact, medium-sized goose shape with a rather uniform wing pattern in flight (no strong pale forewing patches like Greylag Goose).

This species is very similar to some bean geese (especially Taiga Bean Goose), but the combination of the darker head, shorter bill with pink band, and pink (not orange) legs/feet points strongly to Pink-footed Goose rather than a bean goose (which usually has a longer, more orange bill and orange legs).

10/01/2026

03/12/2025

02/12/2025

Pray for Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 | A Call for Global Solidarity
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Sri Lanka is a nation of incredible strength and spirit. Together, let's show them they are not alone. Your prayers and support matter.






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27/11/2025

Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis)

Description: Smaller than the Blue-tailed, it is a brilliant green with a blue throat and a long, thin central tail feather.

27/11/2025

Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus)

Description: A slender, brightly colored bird with green, blue, and chestnut plumage, and a long, blue tail. Expertly catches insects, especially bees, in mid-air.

Where to see: Very common, often perched on wires or bare branches in both parks.

27/11/2025

Sirkeer Malkoha (Taccocua leschenaultii)

Description: A shy, ground-dwelling cuckoo with a down-curved red bill, a grey crest, and a long, white-tipped tail.

Where to see: Scrublands of both parks.

27/11/2025

Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus)

Description: A large, black-and-white hornbill with a large yellow and black casque. Its noisy wingbeats sound like a steam train as it flies.

Where to see: Forested areas of Yala.