The Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala), 93-102 cm
Bundala, Dec 2008
Spotted at the Bundala National Park, this bird gave us a wonderful pose for a few moments. A graceful and colorful bird, as its name implies, the painted stork are found close to water bodies in many parts of Sri Lanka. They are found in larger colonies in the protected areas in the dry zone.
Painted Storks at Bundala
We were looking for Flamingos in Bundala when we spotted the Painted Storks. It was a beautiful site as they stood against the lagoon. Painted Storks are seen in India, Sri Lanka and other south Asian countries where they breed. They share their territory with other water birds such as Herons, the Asian Open-bill, Cormorants, etc. Above them on the food chain are Leopards and crocodiles and other carnivorous animals. Painted storks eat fish, frogs and snails. They often flock in groups on leafless trees close to water bodies.
Useful Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_Stork
Avifauna, Contributors, Nature, Nilu Rajapakse, Wildlife
bundala, Mycteria leucocephala, Painted Stork, Sri Lanka, Wildlife
Brown headed Barbet (Megalaima zeylanica) (25-27 cm)
A Brown-headed Barbet Looks for fruits close to a Guava tree. In my experience, this beautiful bird is the most elusive next to the Black Headed Oriole and Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher, who stops occasionally at our home garden in Homagama. Although considered common, I have long been trying to catch this visitor for years, and that’s not an exaggeration. For one thing, they stay well away from humans. The slightest indication of presence and they’re gone. Their call is a quite distinctive “ku-krooo, ku-krooo” which you can hear particularly in the early hours of the day.
Sri Lanka’s own endemic barbets are called the Yellow fronted Barbet (Megalaima flavifrons – vulnerable, endemic) and Crimson fronted barbet (Megalaima rubricapilla – endemic) and are yet to be spotted by the author. But they too are considered common according to the popular bird guide books. The latter is the smallest and is also called “Ceylon Small Barbet”. These adorable birds love fruits and that’s one way to attract them. Although not in line with wildlife conservation ethics and practices, most homes in wooded regions entertain a ‘bird feed’ with fruits and bread crumbs. If the Barbet is a local visitor, then it is sure to call in to taste the irresistible fruits.
Avifauna, Contributors, Nature, Nilu Rajapakse, Wildlife
Avifauna, Birds of Sri Lanka, Brown headed Barbet, Megalaima zeylanica, Sri Lanka, Wildlife
