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The Sinharaja Reserve is rich in
bird life with an impressive 147 species recorded to date. It is also the
only locality where 18 out of 20 birds species endemic to Sri Lanka may be
viewed. Many of these endemic birds have been indicated in Table 10 and
Figure 11. Interestingly, few endemic and other species thought to be
confined to the hill-zone have also been sighted at Sinharaja viz.
the White-eye, the Scaly Thrush (Zoothera dauma), the Wood Pigeon (Columba
torrigtoni), the Dusky Blue Flycatcher (Muscicapa sordida) and
the Yellow-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus). The wide variety
of habitat-specific birds seen in Sinharaja is due to the continuous
expanse of forest ranging from 300 to 1,500 meters, which provides the
habitat of the forest is comparatively better studied than the other
groups of animals. These studies include an inventory of the species; more
detailed studies on population dynamics, feeding activity and other behavior
patterns are currently in progress.
Among the birds recorded in the western sector of the Sinharaja, 13% were
migrants. Of the resident species, 18% were confined to the heavily
forested areas and 10% to village home-gardens and peripheral scrub areas.
At least 36% of the species were common to the forest as well as to
outside habitats. This is mainly due to the spread of secondary scrub
areas into the forest particularly along logging roads. Data available
indicates that most bird species are habitat sensitive and likely to be
eliminated if forest areas are disturbed. 56% of the species are either
rare or have low population densities. Of the 42% classified as common, a
large proportion, 68% were confined to heavily forested undisturbed areas.
Meanwhile, the International Council for Birds Preservation (ICBP) world
list of threatened bird species for 1989, includes several species found
at Sinharaja such as the Blue Magpie, the White-headed Starling, the
Ashy-headed Babbler, the Green-billed Coucal, the Red-faced Malkoha, the
Spotted-winged Thrush and the Wood Pigeon.
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Sri
Lanka Blue Magpie-(Urocissa ornata)
This beautiful endemic bird is most appropriately called locally
as "Kehibella"-meaning "beautiful damsel of the
forest" according to same etymologists it is a social species
living in small groups of 4 - 6 individuals outside the breeding
season. During the breeding season the pairs move out but remain
not far away from the rest of its social members. they feed mainly
on insects, small lizards ect. Its distribution is confined to the
forest away from human habitations. |
Mixed species bird flocks are one of the most interesting experiences of
the forest. This peculiar aggregation of birds, is thought to be a
strategy for improving feeding efficiency and protection against
predators. Observations made on at least 100 such flock at Sinharaja,
revel that over 40 species of birds, including 12 endemic species,
participate in flocks (Table 10). Bird flocks shows a distribution pattern
that corresponds closely with the stratified vegetation structure.
Different groups of species occupy the forest floor, undergrowth, mid
canopy and high canopy (Figure 11). Flocks are also regularly accompanied
by animals such as the Giant Squirrel, the Jungle Squirrel, the
Purple-faced Leaf Monkey and the Mouse Deer.
Bird ringing has also been carried out regularly at Sinharaja since 1983,
mainly to determine the home-range of bird species. So far 164 birds
belonging to 32 species have been ringed. This method is also useful for
the study of migrant species. In the Sinharaja, three important migrant
species have been captured, the Layard's Flycatcher, the Indian Blue Chat
and the Broen Shrike. These were recaptured in the same location during
successive year, indicating site specificity of species during
migration.
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Chaucidium radiatum (Glaucidium radiatum)
Tragon
(Harpactes fasciatus)