Birds

INDIAN DARTER

A relatively uncommon resident waterbird in the dry lowlands. Occasionally found in the wet lowlands. The long, snake-like neck and long pointed beak easily distinguish it from the cormorants. In breeding plumage, the black upperparts are streaked strongly with silvery filaments. In the water, it submerges itself except for the long neck and beak earning itself the name of ‘snake bird’. The degree of submergence is greater than that of the cormorants, making their profiles in the water very different. Often associates with flocks of cormorants, but solitary birds are not uncommon.

SPOT-BILLED PELICAN

(Vulnerable). An internationally endangered species found in good numbers in tanks and lagoons of dry lowlands. Forms flocks, and is one of the largest waterbirds on the island. There are two rows of dark spots on its long, flat upper mandible and a large pouch hangs beneath lower mandible. This pouch is enlarged when the pelican is feeding. Breeding plumage whiter than non-breeding plumage, and greyish-pink on the lower back, rump, flanks and undertail-coverts. The pouch and the bare skin around the eye become brighter. Juvenile has brown upperparts and pale bare parts. Dehiwela Zoo in Colombo has a good, free-ranging, nesting population which spreads out to wet zone lakes.

YELLOW BITTERN

Fairly common waterbird throughout lowlands and will ascend to mid hills. Common in reedbeds but tends to skulk in thick vegetation. The smallest bittern found in Sri Lanka. Easily separated from Chestnut Bittern (Ixobr ychus cinnamomeus) by black flight feathers which contrast with buffyellow fore-wing. It also has a black tail. Male has black cap and more uniformly coloured body. Female has no black on head with overall darker plumage and few long brown lines along sides of the neck. Juvenile closely resembles female but has pale spots on wings. Gives strong, rather harsh sounding call kek or ke-e-e-k, sometimes repeated. Resident breeding population small; the majority of birds are migrants.

CHESTNUT BITTERN

( Vu l n e r a b l e) . U n c o m m o n , occurring throughout lowlands and sometimes to the higher hills. Found in reed-fringed, tangled vegetation. Easily overlooked unless one flies from one clump of vegetation to another. Uniform chestnut upperparts, and noticeably larger than Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis). Noncontrasting cinnamon upperparts distinguish it from heavily contrasting Yellow Bittern. Female browner and has mottling on the wings and yellow lores. Male has red lores. Juvenile mottled brown with conspicuous, chestnutcoloured wings which show well in flight. Birds will ‘freeze’ to avoid detection. Utters a croaking flight-call, and male gives a rapid, low-pitched six or seven syllable song hohohohohoho, of ten repeated during breeding season.