There are two subspecies of the Gray Slender Loris out of which the Northern Slender Loris lives in the dry lowlands. It has a grayish coat and yellow pigmentation on the ears, eyelids and muzzle. Oval dark shapes are seen around the eyes. Very widely seen in Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa with frequent visits to most…

In comparison to the Gray Slender Loris the Red Slender Loris is rather small with smaller ears and a longer muzzle. Its reddish color is what defines its name and it has dark reddish circular markings around the eyes. They are confined to forests in the wet zone such as Singharaja and Morapitiya. Their diet…

The largest bat in Sri Lanka with a wingspan of 1.2 m. Its fur on its dog or fox like face has a yellowish tinge which contrasts with the dark wings.  Is seen very close to human habitat roosting on a tall tree or a cluster of tall trees in a colony. Feeds exclusively on…

There are 4 species of fruit bats on the island and the Short-nosed fruit Bat is one of them. Its body length measures up to 10 cm. According to the age and sex the intensity of the reddish tinge on the fur on the back and nape varies. Frequently seen in home gardens mostly in…

Out of the 10 species of shrew in Sri Lanka this is the most common shrew. Different subspecies take on a color that varies from a bluish –grey to a blackish brown. It’s long pointed mobile snout has number of long hairs that helps it detect prey in the dark and is very sensitive to…

A scarce ground bird found in the dense forests of the southern half of the island.  Strictly a forest bird that can be seen occasionally in the hills up to about 2000 metres, but commonest in the wet zone.  Very shy and secretive.  More often heard than seen.  The unmistakable loud ‘ringing cakle’ revealing its…

Another ground bird distributed throughout the island from the sea level up to the highest hills.  It is shy and wary but in areas adjoining jungle it can be very tame and behaves like a village fowl.  The handsome male is unmistakable with its elongated comb with a yellow spot, orange-red body with the black…

This dark purplish grey pigeon is unmistakable with its chess-board like pattern on the neck.  Vinous underparts and broad tail.  Sexes alike.  Juvenile is duller and has only a hint of the chess-board on the neck.  A scarce forest pigeon of montane forests and nearby well-wooded habitats in the higher hills, occasionally descending to the…

This handsome pigeon is by far the commonest of the Green Pigeons occurring almost throughout the low country and ascending the hills to about 1000 metres or occasionally even higher.  It inhabits both forest, and well-wooded cultivation and home gardens.  This pigeon is arboreal, lives in small flocks and moves about a good deal.  The…

This brilliantly coloured little parrot occurs everywhere in the hills up to about  1300 metres.  It also inhabits the low-country wet zone.  Like other parakeets of the island this is also a green bird with short tail.  Bright red crown shade in to orange in the nape and mantle area.  Rump area is deep red. …