Black Hooded Oriole (Oriolus xanthornus), Homagama
The Black Hooded Oriole is also called the Black Headed Oriole and comes from the family Oriolidae, one of the Old World Birds. The Sri Lankan common name for this lovely creature is ‘Kaha Kurulla’ or Yellow Bird attributed due to its brilliant orange or yellow plumage mixed with black.
This bird is a difficult customer to capture on photo, as it habitually perches on very tall trees and springs off at the slightest movement. It has a very pretty call which easily gives its presence away. They fall into the passerine category of birds who are also known as “song birds” although this is not strictly accurate. They are perching birds and have a specific toe arrangement.
The Black Hooded Oriole is a relative of the Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus), a fully yellow/orange colored species. They love fruits, just as the Barbet, but are omnivores and feed on insects (arthropods) as well. Berries and fruits are their favorite diet. They frequent Mango trees at our garden in Homagama.
Avifauna, Contributors, Nature, Nilu Rajapakse
Birds of Sri Lanka, Black Hooded Oriole, Oriolidae, Oriolus xanthornus, Passerine, Sri Lanka
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
