List of birds of Sri Lanka


is a tropical island situated close to the southern tip of India. The bird life of Sri Lanka is very rich for its size and 505 species have been recorded. In addition to the many resident birds, a considerable number of migratory species winter in the country to escape their northern breeding grounds.
34 species are endemic. The other resident species are also found in the nearby Indian mainland, but over 80 have developed distinct Sri Lankan races. Some of these races are very different in their plumage characteristics from the related forms in India. 26 species are globally threatened.
Bird distribution in Sri Lanka is largely determined by its climatic zones. The dry zone is largest of the three, covering more than half of the island, with a prolonged dry and hot period and only one monsoon.
The wet zone, with two monsoons, is in the south western quarter of the island, where the few remaining rain forests are found and humidity is high.
The central hill zone rises to over 2450 m and has a cool temperate climate. Most of the 26 endemic species are confined to the wet and the hill zones, with only a few extending into the dry zone as well.
Recent updates and sighting information can be obtained through the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka website. The following list is prepared according to An Illustrated Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka on 2010 by Sarath Kotagama and Gamini Ratnavira. Supplemental updates follow The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2019 edition.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Fulvous whistling-duck
Dendrocygna bicolorLeast concern
Lesser whistling-duck
Dendrocygna javanicaResidentLeast concern
Graylag goose
Anser anserAnser anser rubrirostrisLeast concern
Knob-billed duck
Sarkidiornis melanotosLeast concern
Ruddy shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLeast concern
Cotton pygmy-goose
Nettapus coromandelianusResidentLeast concern
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLeast concern
Northern shoveler
Spatula clypeataLeast concern
Gadwall
Mareca streperaMareca strepera streperaLeast concern
Eurasian wigeon
Mareca penelopeLeast concern
Indian spot-billed duck
Anas poecilorhynchaAnas poecilorhyncha poecilorhynchaLeast concern
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosAnas platyrhynchos platyrhynchosLeast concern
Northern pintail
Anas acutaLeast concern
Green-winged teal
Anas creccaLeast concern
Marbled teal
Marmaronetta angustirostrisVulnerable
Red-crested pochard
Netta rufinaLeast concern
Common pochard
Aythya ferinaVulnerbale
Tufted duck
Aythya fuligulaLeast concern

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds. In general, they are plump and have broad, relatively short wings.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Indian peafowl
Pavo cristatusPavo cristatus singhalensisResidentLeast concern
Sri Lanka spurfowl
Galloperdix bicalcarataEndemicLeast concern
Blue-breasted quail
Coturnix chinensisCoturnix chinensis chinensisLeast concern
Common quail
Coturnix coturnixLeast concern
Rain quail
Coturnix coromandelicaFrancolinus pondicerianus pondicerianusLeast concern
Jungle bush-quail
Perdicula asiaticaLeast concern
Painted francolin
Francolinus pictusLeast concern
Gray francolin
Francolinus pondicerianusFrancolinus pondicerianus pondicerianusLeast concern
Sri Lanka junglefowl
Gallus lafayettiiEndemicLeast concern

Flamingos

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Greater flamingo
Phoenicopterus ruberLeast concern
Lesser flamingo
Phoenicopterus minorNear threatened

Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-sized diving birds. They breed on fresh water, but often visit the sea whilst migrating and in winter. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers; however, their feet are placed far back on their bodies, making them quite ungainly on land.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Little grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisTachybaptus ruficollis capensisResidentLeast concern

Pigeons and doves

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Rock pigeon
Columba liviaColumba livia intermediaResidentLeast concern
Sri Lanka wood-pigeon
Columba torringtoniaeEndemicVulnerable
Pale-capped pigeon
Columba puniceaVulnerable
Oriental turtle-dove
Streptopelia orientalisLeast concern
Eurasian collared-dove
Streptopelia decaoctoStreptopelia decaocto intercedensLeast concern
Red collared-dove
Streptopelia tranquebaricaLeast concern
Spotted dove
Spilopelia chinensisSpilopelia chinensis ceylonensisLeast concern
Asian emerald dove
Chalcophaps indicaChalcophaps indica robinsoniLeast concern
Orange-breasted green-pigeon
Treron bicinctaTreron bicincta leggeiLeast concern
Sri Lanka green-pigeon
Treron pompadoraEndemicLeast concern
Yellow-footed green-pigeon
Treron phoenicopteraLeast concern
Green imperial-pigeon
Ducula aeneaLeast concern

Cuckoos

Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Many are brood parasites.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Green-billed coucal
Centropus chlororhynchusEndemicVulnerable
Greater coucal
Centropus sinensisLeast concern
Lesser coucal
Centropus bengalensisLeast concern
Sirkeer malkoha
Taccocua leschenaultiiLeast concern
Red-faced malkoha
Phaenicophaeus pyffhocephalusEndemicVulnerable
Blue-faced malkoha
Phaenicophaeus viridirostrisLeast concern
Chestnut-winged cuckoo
Clamator coromandusLeast concern
Pied cuckoo
Clamator jacobinusClamator jacobinus jacobinusLeast concern
Asian koel
Eudynamys scolopaceaEudynamys scolopacea scolopaceaLeast concern
Asian emerald cuckoo
Chrysococcyx maculatusLeast concern
Banded bay cuckoo
Cacomantis sonneratiiCacomantis sonneratii waitiLeast concern
Gray-bellied cuckoo
Cacomantis passerinusLeast concern
Fork-tailed drongo-cuckoo
Surniculus dicruroidesLeast concern
Common hawk-cuckoo
Hierococcyx variusLeast concern
Lesser cuckoo
Cuculus poliocephalusLeast concern-
Indian cuckoo
Cuculus micropterusLeast concern
Common cuckoo
Cuculus canorusCuculus canorus bakeriLeast concern

Frogmouths

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Podargidae
The frogmouths are a group of nocturnal birds related to the nightjars. They are named for their large flattened hooked bill and huge frog-like gape, which they use to take insects.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Sri Lanka frogmouth
Batrachostomus moniligerResidentLeast concern

Nightjars and allies

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Great eared-nightjar
Lyncornis macrotisLeast concern
Jungle nightjar
Caprimulgus indicusCaprimulgus indicus kelaartiResidentLeast concern
Jerdon's nightjar
Caprimulgus atripennisCaprimulgus atripennis aequabilisResidentLeast concern
Indian nightjar
Caprimulgus asiaticusResidentLeast concern

Swifts

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
White-throated needletail
Hirundapus caudacutusLeast concern
Brown-backed needletail
Hirundapus giganteusLeast concern
Indian swiftlet
Aerodramus unicolorLeast concern
Himalayan swiftletAerodramus brevirostrisLeast concern
Alpine swift
Apus melbaLeast concern
Pallid swift
Apus pallidusLeast concern
Blyth's swiftApus leuconyxLeast concern
Dark-rumped swiftApus acuticaudaVulnerable
Little swift
Apus affinisLeast concern
Asian palm-swift
Cypsiurus balasiensisLeast concern

Treeswifts

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Hemiprocnidae
The treeswifts, or crested swifts, are closely related to the true swifts. They differ from the other swifts in that they have crests, long forked tails and softer plumage.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Crested treeswift
Hemiprocne coronataResidentLeast concern

Rails, gallinules, and coots

Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Water rail
Rallus aquaticusRallus aquaticus korejewiLeast concern
Brown-cheeked rail
Rallus indicusLeast concern
Corn crake
Crex crexLeast concern
Slaty-breasted rail
Lewinia striataLeast concern
Eurasian moorhen
Gallinula chloropusEurasian common moorhen Gallinula chloropus chloropusLeast concern
Eurasian coot
Fulica atraLeast concern
Gray-headed swamphen
Porphyrio poliocephalusLeast concern
Watercock
Gallicrex cinereaLeast concern
White-breasted waterhen
Amaurornis phoenicurusAmaurornis phoenicurus phoenicurusLeast concern
Slaty-legged crake
Rallina eurizonoidesLeast concern
Ruddy-breasted crake
Zapornia fuscaLeast concern
Baillon's crake
Zapornia pusillaLeast concern

Thick-knees

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae
Thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Indian thick-knee
Burhinus indicusResidentLeast concern
Great thick-knee
Esacus recurvirostrisResidentLeast concern

Stilts and avocets

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Black-winged stilt
Himantopus himantopusHimantopus himantopus meridionalisResidentLeast concern
Pied stilt
Himantopus leucocephalusLeast concern
Pied avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaResidentLeast concern

Oystercatchers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Eurasian oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNear threatened

Plovers and lapwings

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Black-bellied plover
Pluvialis squatarolaLeast concern
Pacific golden-plover
Pluvialis fulvaLeast concern
Yellow-wattled lapwing
Vanellus malabaricusLeast concern
Gray-headed lapwing
Vanellus cinereusLeast concern
Red-wattled lapwing
Vanellus indicusVanellus indicus lankaeLeast concern
Sociable lapwing
Chettusia gregariusCritically endangered
Lesser sand-plover
Charadrius mongolusLeast concern
Greater sand-plover
Charadrius leschenaultiiLeast concern
Caspian plover
Charadrius asiaticusLeast concern
Kentish plover
Charadrius alexandrinusLeast concern
Common ringed plover
Charadrius hiaticulaCharadrius hiaticula tundraeLeast concern
Long-billed plover
Charadrius placidusLeast concern
Little ringed plover
Charadrius dubiusLeast concern
Oriental plover
Charadrius veredusLeast concern

Painted-snipes

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rostratulidae
Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Greater painted-snipe
Rostratula benghalensisLeast concern

Jacanas

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Pheasant-tailed jacana
Hydrophasianus chirurgusLeast concern

Sandpipers and allies

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLeast Concern
Little curlew
Numenius minutusLeast Concern
Slender-billed curlew
Numenius tenuirostrisCritically Endangered
Eurasian curlew
Numenius arquataNear Threatened
Bar-tailed godwit
Limosa lapponicaNear Threatened
Black-tailed godwit
Limosa limosaNear Threatened
Ruddy turnstone
Arenaria interpresLeast Concern
Great knot
Calidris tenuirostrisEndangered
Red knot
Calidris canutusNear Threatened
Ruff
Calidris pugnaxLeast Concern
Broad-billed sandpiper
Calidris falcinellusLeast Concern
Sharp-tailed sandpiper
Calidris acuminataLeast Concern
Curlew sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNear Threatened
Temminck's stint
Calidris temminckiiLeast Concern
Long-toed stint
Calidris subminutaLeast Concern
Spoon-billed sandpiper
Calidris pygmeusCritically Endangered
Red-necked stint
Calidris ruficollisNear Threatened
Sanderling
Calidris albaLeast Concern
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLeast Concern
Little stint
Calidris minutaLeast Concern
White-rumped sandpiper
Calidris fuscicollisLeast Concern
Buff-breasted sandpiper
Calidris subruficollisNear Threatened
Pectoral sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLeast Concern
Asian dowitcher
Limnodramus semipalmatusNear Threatened
Jack snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLeast Concern
Eurasian woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLeast Concern
Wood snipe
Gallinago nemoricolaVulnerable
Great snipe
Gallinago mediaNear Threatened
Common snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLeast Concern
Pin-tailed snipe
Gallinago stenuraLeast Concern
Swinhoe's snipe
Gallinago megalaLeast Concern
Terek sandpiper
Xenus cinereusLeast Concern
Wilson's phalarope
Phalaropus tricolorLeast Concern
Red-necked phalarope
Phalaropus lobatusLeast Concern
Red phalarope
Phalaropus fulicariusLeast Concern
Common sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLeast Concern
Spotted sandpiper
Actitis maculariusLeast Concern
Green sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLeast Concern
Solitary sandpiper
Tringa solitariaLeast Concern
Spotted redshank
Tringa erythropusLeast Concern
Common greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLeast Concern
Nordmann's greenshank
Tringa guttiferEndangered
Marsh sandpiper
Tringa stagnatilisLeast Concern
Wood sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLeast Concern
Common redshank
Tringa totanusLeast Concern

Buttonquail

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Turnicidae
The buttonquail are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Small buttonquail
Turnix sylvaticusLeast concern
Barred buttonquail
Turnix sylvaticaLeast concern

Crab-plover

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Dromadidae
The crab-plover is related to the waders. It resembles a plover but with very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern. It has black-and-white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet and a bill designed for eating crabs.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Crab-plover
Dromas ardeolaLeast concern

Pratincoles and coursers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Indian courser
Cursorius coromandelicusLeast concern
Collared pratincole
Glareola pratincolaLeast concern
Oriental pratincole
Glareola maldivarumLeast concern
Small pratincole
Glareola lacteaLeast concern

Skuas and jaegers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Stercorariidae
The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
South polar skua
Catharacta maccormickiLeast concern
Brown skua
Catharacta antarcticaLeast concern
Pomarine jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinusLeast concern
Parasitic jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticusLeast concern

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls and terns. Gulls are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years.
Order: PhaethontiformesFamily: Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
White-tailed tropicbird
Phaethon lepturusPhaethon lepturus lepturusLeast concern
Red-billed tropicbird
Phaethon aethereusLeast concern

Southern storm-petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Oceanitidae
Southern storm-petrels are small birds which spend most of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to breed. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering or pattering across the water. Their flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Wilson's storm-petrel
Oceanites oceanicusLeast concern
White-faced storm-petrel
Pelagodroma marinaLeast concern
Black-bellied storm-petrel
Fregetta tropicaLeast concern

Northern storm-petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae
Northern storm-petrels are small birds which spend most of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to breed. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering or pattering across the water. Their flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Swinhoe's storm-petrel
Oceanodroma monorhisNear threatened

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Cape petrel
Daption capenseDaption capense capenseMigrantLeast concern
Soft-plumaged petrel
Pterodroma mollisLeast concern
Barau's petrel
Pterodroma barauiEndangered
White-headed petrel
Pterodroma lessoniiLeast concern
Bulwer's petrel
Bulweria bulweriiLeast concern
Jouanin's petrel
Bulweria fallaxNear threatened
Streaked shearwater
Calonectris leucomelasNear threatened
Flesh-footed shearwater
Ardenna cameipesNear threatened
Wedge-tailed shearwater
Ardenna pacificusLeast concern
Sooty shearwater
Ardenna griseusNear threatened
Short-tailed shearwater
Ardenna tenuirostrisLeast concern
Tropical shearwater
Puffinus bailloniLeast concern
Persian shearwater
Puffinus persicusLeast concern

Storks

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are virtually mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Asian openbill
Anastomus oscitansResidentLeast concern
Black stork
Ciconia nigraLeast concern
Woolly-necked stork
Ciconia episcopusCiconia episcopus episcopusResidentVulnerable
White stork
Ciconia ciconiaCiconia ciconia asiaticaLeast concern
Black-necked stork
Ephippiorhynchus asiaticusEphippiorhynchus asiaticus asiaticusResidentNear threatened
Lesser adjutant
Leptoptilos javanicusResidentVulnerable
Painted stork
Mycteria leucocephalaResidentNear threatened

Frigatebirds

Order: SuliformesFamily: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have coloured inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. None are resident.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Lesser frigatebird
Fregata arielFregata ariel arielLeast concern
Christmas Island frigatebird
Fregata andrewsiCritically endangered
Great frigatebird
Fregata minorFregata minor minorLeast concern

Boobies and gannets

Order: SuliformesFamily: Sulidae
The gannets and boobies in the family Sulidae are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Masked booby
Sula dactylatraSula dactylatra melanopsLeast concern
Brown booby
Sula leucogasterSula leucogaster plotusLeast concern
Red-footed booby
Sula sulaSula sula rubripesLeast concern

Anhingas

Order: SuliformesFamily: Anhingidae
Anhingas or darters are often called "snake-birds" because they have long thin necks, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape, and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage, especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Oriental darter
Anhinga melanogasterResidentNear threatened

Cormorants and shags

Order: SuliformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies; the majority of species have mainly dark plumage, but some are pied black and white, and a few are more colourful.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Little cormorant
Microcarbo nigerResidentLeast concern
Great cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboPhalacrocorax carbo carboResidentLeast concern
Indian cormorant
Phalacrocorax fuscicollisResidentLeast concern

Pelicans

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Great white pelican
Pelecanus onocrotalusLeast concern
Spot-billed pelican
Pelecanus philippensisResident.Near threatened
Dalmatian pelican
Pelecanus crispusNear threatened

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of this family fly with their necks retracted.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Great bittern
Botaurus stellarisBotaurus stellaris stellarisLeast concern
Yellow bittern
Ixobrychus sinensisResidentLeast concern
Schrenck's bittern
Ixobrychus eurhythmusLeast concern
Cinnamon bittern
Ixobrychus cinnamomeusResidentLeast concern
Black bittern
Ixobrychus flavicollisResidentLeast concern
Gray heron
Ardea cinereaArdea cinerea cinereaResidentLeast concern
Goliath heron
Ardea goliathLeast concern
Purple heron
Ardea purpureaArdea purpurea manilensisResidentLeast concern
Great egret
Ardea albaEastern great egret
Ardea alba modesta
ResidentLeast concern
Intermediate egret
Ardea intermediaResidentLeast concern
Little egret
Egretta garzettaEgretta garzetta garzettaResidentLeast concern
Western reef-heron
Egretta gularisResident.Least concern
Cattle egret
Bubulcus ibisBubulcus ibis coromandusResidentLeast concern
Indian pond-heron
Ardeola grayiiResidentLeast concern
Chinese pond-heron
Ardeola bacchusLeast concern
Striated heron
Butorides striataResidentLeast concern
Black-crowned night-heron
Nycticorax nycticoraxNycticorax nycticorax nycticoraxResidentLeast concern
Malayan night-heron
Gorsachius melanolophusLeast concern

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which comprises the ibises and spoonbills. Its members have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary flight feathers. They are strong fliers and, despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Glossy ibis
Plegadis falcinellusLeast concern
Black-headed ibis
Threskiornis melanocephalusResident.Near threatened
Eurasian spoonbill
Platalea leucorodiaPlatalea leucorodia leucorodiaResident.Least concern

Osprey

Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Pandionidae
The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusResidentLeast concern

Hawks, eagles, and kites

Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Black-winged kite
Elanus caeruleusElanus caeruleus vociferusLeast concern
Egyptian vulture
Neophron percnopterusNeophron percnopterus ginginiatusEndangered
Crested honey buzzard
Pernis ptilorhynchusLeast concern
Jerdon's baza
Aviceda jerdoniAviceda jerdoni ceylonensisLeast concern
Black baza
Aviceda leuphotesLeast concern
Crested serpent-eagle
Spilornis cheelaSpilornis cheela spilogasterLeast concern
Changeable hawk-eagle
Nisaetus cirrhatusNisaetus cirrhatus ceylanensisLeast concern
Legge's hawk-eagle
Nisaetus kelaartiNot Evaluated
Rufous-bellied eagle
Lophotriorchis kieneriLeast concern
Black eagle
Ictinaetus malaiensisLeast concern
Greater spotted eagle
Clanga clangaVulnerable
Booted eagle
Hieraaetus pennatusLeast concern
Bonelli's eagle
Aquila fasciataLeast concern
Eurasian marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLeast concern
Pallid harrier
Circus macrourusNear threatened
Pied harrier
Circus melanoleucosLeast concern
Montagu's harrier
Circus pygargusLeast concern
Crested goshawk
Accipiter trivirgatusLeast concern
Shikra
Accipiter badiusLeast concern
Besra
Accipiter virgatusLeast concern
Eurasian sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLeast concern
Black kite
Milvus migransMilvus migrans govindaLeast concern
Brahminy kite
Haliastur indusHaliastur indus indusLeast concern
White-bellied sea-eagle
Haliaeetus leucogasterLeast concern
Gray-headed fish-eagle
Haliaeetus ichthyaetusLeast concern
Common buzzard
Buteo buteoButeo buteo buteoLeast concern
Himalayan buzzard
Buteo refectusLeast concern
Eastern buzzard
Buteo japonicusLeast concern
Long-legged buzzard
Buteo rufinusButeo rufinus rufinusLeast concern

Barn owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Tytonidae
Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Barn owl
Tyto albaTyto alba stertensResidentLeast concern
Sri Lanka bay-owl
Phodilus assimilisPhodilus assimilis assimilisResidentLeast concern

Owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae
The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Serendib scops-owl
Otus thilohoffmanniEndemicEndangered
Indian scops-owl
Otus bakkamoenaResidentLeast concern
Oriental scops-owl
Otus suniaResidentLeast concern
Spot-bellied eagle-owl
Bubo nipalensisResidentLeast concern
Brown fish-owl
Ketupa zeylonensisSri Lankan brown fish owl
Ketupa zeylonensis zeylonensis
ResidentLeast concern
Jungle owlet
Glaucidium radiatumResidentLeast concern
Chestnut-backed owlet
Glaucidium castanotumEndemicLeast concern
Brown wood-owl
Strix leptogrammicaResidentLeast concern
Brown hawk-owl
Ninox scutulataResidentLeast concern
Short-eared owl
Asio flammeusAsio flammeus flammeusVagrantLeast concern
Brown boobook
Ninox scutulataResidentLeast concern

Trogons

Order: TrogoniformesFamily: Trogonidae
The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Malabar trogon
Harpactes fasciatusResidentLeast concern

Hoopoes

Order: BucerotiformesFamily: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Eurasian hoopoe
Upupa epopsUpupa epops ceylonensisResidentLeast concern

Hornbills

Order: BucerotiformesFamily: Bucerotidae
Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Sri Lanka gray hornbill
Ocyceros gingalensisEndemicLeast concern
Malabar pied hornbill
Anthracoceros coronatusResidentLeast concern

Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Common kingfisher
Alcedo atthisAlcedo atthis taprobanaResidentLeast concern
Blue-eared kingfisher
Alcedo menintingAlcedo meninting phillipsiResidentLeast concern
Black-backed dwarf-kingfisher
Ceyx erithacaResidentLeast concern
Stork-billed kingfisher
Pelargopsis capensisPelargopsis capensis capensisResidentLeast concern
White-throated kingfisher
Halcyon smyrnensisHalcyon smyrnensis fuscaResidentLeast concern
Black-capped kingfisher
Halcyon pileataResidentLeast concern
Pied kingfisher
Ceryle rudisCeryle rudis leucomelanuraResidentLeast concern

Bee-eaters

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Meropidae
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Green bee-eater
Merops orientalisMerops orientalis orientalis
Merops orientalis ceylonicus
ResidentLeast concern
Blue-tailed bee-eater
Merops philippinusResidentLeast concern
European bee-eater
Merops apiasterResidentLeast concern
Chestnut-headed bee-eater
Merops leschenaultiResidentLeast concern

Rollers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Indian roller
Coracias benghalensisCoracias benghalensis indicusResidentLeast concern
Dollarbird
Eurystomus orientalisEurystomus orientalis irisiResidentLeast concern

Asian barbets

Order: PiciformesFamily: Megalaimidae
The Asian barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Crimson-fronted barbet
Psilopogon rubricapillusEndemicLeast concern
Coppersmith barbet
Psilopogon haemacephalusPsilopogon haemacephalus indicaResidentLeast concern
Brown-headed barbet
Psilopogon zeylanicusResidentLeast concern
Yellow-fronted barbet
Psilopogon flavilfronsEndemicLeast concern

Woodpeckers

Order: PiciformesFamily: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Eurasian Wryneck
Jynx torquillaLeast concern
Brown-capped woodpecker
Yungipicus nanusLeast concern
Yellow-crowned woodpecker
Leiopicus mahrattensisLeast concern
Crimson-backed flameback
Chrysocolaptes stricklandiEndemic.Least concern
White-naped woodpecker
Chrysocolaptes festivusLeast concern
Rufous woodpecker
Micropternus brachyurusLeast concern
Black-rumped flameback
Dinopium benghalense
Dinopium benghalense jaffnense
Resident.Least concern
Red-backed flameback
Dinopium psarodesEndemic.Least concern
Lesser yellownape
Picus chlorolophusPicus chlorolophus wellsiLeast concern
Streak-throated woodpecker
Picus xanthopygaeusLeast concern

Falcons and caracaras

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Black-thighed falconet
Microhierax fringillariusLeast concern
Lesser kestrel
Falco naumanniLeast concern
Eurasian kestrel
Falco tinnunculusFalco tinnunculus tinnunculusResidentLeast concern
Red-necked falcon
Falco chicqueraNear threatened
Amur falcon
Falco amurensisLeast concern
Eurasian hobby
Falco subbuteoLeast concern
Oriental hobby
Falco severusLeast concern
Peregrine falcon
Falco peregrinusShaheen falcon
Falco peregrinus peregrinator
Eastern peregrine falcon
Falco peregrinus calidus
Least concern

Old World parrots

Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittaculidae
Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly coloured, and some are multi-coloured. In size they range from to in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Alexandrine parakeet
Psittacula eupatriaPsittacula eupatria eupatriaResidentNear threatened
Rose-ringed parakeet
Psittacula krameriPsittacula krameri manillensisResidentLeast concern
Plum-headed parakeet
Psittacula cyanocephalaPsittacula cyanocephala cyanocephalaResidentLeast concern
Layard's parakeet
Psittacula calthrapaeEndemicLeast concern
Sri Lanka hanging-parrot
Loriculus beryllinusEndemicLeast concern

Pittas

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pittidae
Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards and are stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many are brightly coloured. They spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrates.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Indian pitta
Pitta brachyuraMigrantLeast concern

Cuckooshrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Campephagidae
The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Small minivet
Pericrocotus cinnamomeusPericrocotus cinnamomeus malabaricusLeast concern
Orange minivet
Pericrocotus flammeusLeast concern
Large cuckooshrike
Coracina maceiLeast concern
Black-headed cuckooshrike
Lalage melanopteraLeast concern
Indochinese cuckooshrike
Lalage poliopteraLeast concern

Old World orioles

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Oriolidae
The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Indian golden oriole
Oriolus kundooLeast concern
Black-naped oriole
Oriolus chinensisOriolus chinensis diffususLeast concern
Slender-billed oriole
Oriolus tenuirostrisLeast concern
-
Black-hooded oriole
Oriolus xanthornusOriolus xanthornus ceylonensisResidentLeast concern

Woodswallows, bellmagpies, and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Artamidae
The woodswallows are soft-plumaged, somber-coloured passerine birds. They are smooth, agile flyers with moderately large, semi-triangular wings.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Ashy woodswallow
Artamus fuscusResidentLeast concern

Vangas, helmetshrikes, and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Vangidae
The Vangidae comprises a group of often shrike-like medium-sized birds distributed from Asia to Africa. Many species in this family were previously classified elsewhere in other families.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Sri Lanka woodshrike
Tephrodornis affinisEndemicLeast concern
Bar-winged flycatcher-shrike
Hemipus picatusHemipus picatus leggeiResidentLeast concern

Ioras

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Aegithinidae
The ioras are bulbul-like birds of open forest or thorn scrub, but whereas that group tends to be drab in colouration, ioras are sexually dimorphic, with the males being brightly plumaged in yellows and greens.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Common iora
Aegithina tiphiaResidentLeast concern
White-tailed iora
Aegithina nigroluteaLeast concern

Fantails

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Rhipiduridae
The fantails are small insectivorous birds which are specialist aerial feeders.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
White-browed fantail
Rhipidura aureolaLeast concern

Drongos

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Dicruridae
The drongos are mostly black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright when perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Black drongo
Dicrurus macrocercusLeast concern
Ashy drongo
Dicrurus leucophaeusLeast concern
White-bellied drongo
Dicrurus caerulescensDicrurus caerulescens leucopygialisLeast concern
Greater racket-tailed drongo
Dicrurus paradiseusDicrurus paradiseus ceylonicusLeast concern
Sri Lanka drongo
Dicrurus lophorinusEndemicLeast concern

Monarch flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Monarchidae
The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Black-naped monarch
Hypothymis azureaHypothymis azurea ceylonensisLeast concern
Indian paradise flycatcher
Terpsiphone paradisiCeylon paradise flycatcher
Terpsiphone paradisi ceylonensis
• Indian paradise flycatcher
Terpsiphone paradisi paradisi
Himalayan paradise flycatcher
Terpsiphone paradisi leucogaster
Resident, MigrantLeast concern

Shrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Laniidae
Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Brown shrike
Lanius cristatusLanius cristatus cristatusVagrantLeast concern
Bay-backed shrike
Lanius vittatusLeast concern
Long-tailed shrike
Lanius schachLanius schach canicepsLeast concern
Great gray shrike
Lanius excubitorLeast concern

Crows, jays, and magpies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae
The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Sri Lanka blue-magpie
Urocissa ornataEndemicVulnerable
House crow
Corvus splendensCorvus splendens protegatusResidentLeast concern
Large-billed crow
Corvus macrorhynchosResidentLeast concern

Fairy flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Stenostiridae
Most of the species of this small family are found in Africa, though a few inhabit tropical Asia. They are not closely related to other birds called "flycatchers".
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Gray-headed canary-flycatcher
Culicicapa ceylonensisCulicicapa ceylonensis ceylonensisLeast concern

Tits, chickadees, and titmice

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paridae
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Cinereous tit
Parus cinereusParus cinereus mahrattarumResidentLeast concern

Larks

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Ashy-crowned sparrow-lark
Eremopterix griseusEremopterix griseus ceylonensisLeast concern
Jerdon's bushlark
Mirafra affinisLeast concern
Oriental skylark
Alauda gulgulaAlauda gulgula gulgulaLeast concern

Cisticolas and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cisticolidae
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Common tailorbird
Orthotomus sutorius• Highland common tailorbird
Orthotomus sutorius fernandonis
• Lowland common tailorbird
Orthotomus sutorius sutorius
ResidentLeast concern
Rufescent prinia
Prinia rufescensLeast concern
Gray-breasted prinia
Prinia hodgsoniiPrinia hodgsonii pectoralisLeast concern
Jungle prinia
Prinia sylvaticaLeast concern
Ashy prinia
Prinia socialisPrinia socialis brevicaudaLeast concern
Plain prinia
Prinia inornataLeast concern
Zitting cisticola
Cisticola juncidisCisticola juncidis cursitansLeast concern

Reed warblers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Acrocephalidae
The members of this family are usually rather large for "warblers". Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but it also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Booted warbler
Iduna caligataLeast concern
Sykes's warbler
Iduna ramaLeast concern
Black-browed reed warbler
Acrocephalus bistrigicepsLeast concern
Blyth's reed warbler
Acrocephalus dumetorumResidentLeast concern
Clamorous reed warbler
Acrocephalus stentoreusAcrocephalus stentoreus meridionalisLeast concern

Grassbirds and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Locustellidae
Locustellidae are a family of small insectivorous songbirds found mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and the Australian region. They are smallish birds with tails that are usually long and pointed, and tend to be drab brownish or buffy all over.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Broad-tailed grassbird
Schoenicola platyuraVulnerable
Pallas's grasshopper-warbler
Locustella certhiolaLeast concern
Lanceolated warbler
Locustella lanceolataLeast concern
Common grasshopper-warbler
Locustella naeviaLeast concern
Sri Lanka bush warbler
Elaphrornis palliseriEndemicNear threatened

Swallows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae
The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Bank swallow
Riparia ripariaLeast concern
Pale sand martin
Riparia dilutaLeast concern
Rock martin
Ptyonoprogne fuligulaLeast concern
Dusky crag-martin
Ptyonoprogne concolorLeast concern
Barn swallow
Hirundo rusticaHirundo rustica rusticaLeast concern
Wire-tailed swallow
Hirundo smithiiHirundo smithii filiferaLeast concern
Hill swallow
Hirundo domicolaLeast concern
Red-rumped swallow
Cecropis dauricaLeast concern
Sri Lanka swallow
Cecropis hyperythraEndemicLeast concern
Streak-throated swallow
Petrochelidon fluvicolaLeast concern
Common house-martin
Delichon urbicumLeast concern

Bulbuls

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pycnonotidae
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Black-capped bulbul
Rubigula melanicterusEndemicLeast concern
Red-vented bulbul
Pycnonotus caferPycnonotus cafer haemorrhoususResidentLeast concern
Yellow-eared bulbul
Pycnonotus pennicilitatusEndemicNear threatened
White-browed bulbul
Pycnonotus luteolusPycnonotus luteolus insulaeLeast concern
Yellow-browed bulbul
Iole indicaIole indica guglielmiLeast concern
Square-tailed bulbul
Hypsipetes ganeesaSri Lanka black bulbul
Hypsipetes ganeesa humii
Least concern

Leaf warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Phylloscopidae
Leaf warblers are a family of small insectivorous birds found mostly in Eurasia and ranging into Wallacea and Africa. The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with greyish-green to greyish-brown colours.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Dusky warbler
Phylloscopus fuscatusLeast concern
Green-crowned warbler
Phylloscopus burkiiLeast concern
Green warbler
Phylloscopus nitidusLeast concern
Greenish warbler
Phylloscopus trochiloidesLeast concern
Large-billed leaf warbler
Phylloscopus magnirostrisLeast concern

Bush warblers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Scotocercidae
The members of this family are found throughout Africa, Asia, and Polynesia. Their taxonomy is in flux, and some authorities place some genera in other families.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Pale-footed bush warblerUrosphena pallidipesLeast concern

Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sylviidae
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Many species are difficult to identify by appearance, but many have distinctive songs.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Lesser whitethroat
Sylvia currucaSylvia curruca blythiResidentLeast concern
Yellow-eyed babbler
Chrysomma sinenseResidentLeast concern

White-eyes, yuhinas, and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Zosteropidae
The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull colour like greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Sri Lanka white-eye
Zosterops ceylonensisEndemicLeast concern
Indian white-eye
Zosterops palpebrosaResidentLeast concern

Tree-babblers, scimitar-babblers, and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Timaliidae
The babblers, or timaliids, are somewhat diverse in size and colouration, but are characterised by soft fluffy plumage.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Tawny-bellied babbler
Dumetia hyperythraDumetia hyperythra phillipsiEndemicLeast concern
Dark-fronted babbler
Rhopocichla atriceps• Dryzone dark-fronted babbler
Rhopocichla atriceps siccata
• Wetzone dark-fronted babbler
Rhopocichla atriceps nigrifrons
Least concern
Sri Lanka scimitar-babbler
Pomatorhinus melanurusEndemicLeast concern

Ground babblers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pellorneidae
These small to medium-sized songbirds have soft fluffy plumage but are otherwise rather diverse. Members of the genus Illadopsis are found in forests, but some other genera are birds of scrublands.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Brown-capped babbler
Pellorneum fuscocapillumEndemicLeast concern

Laughingthrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Leiothrichidae
The members of this family are diverse in size and colouration, though those of genus Turdoides tend to be brown or greyish. The family is found in Africa, India, and southeast Asia.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Orange-billed babbler
Turdoides rufescensEndemicNear threatened
Yellow-billed babbler
Turdoides affinisTurdoides affinis taprobanusResidentLeast concern
Ashy-headed laughingthrush
Garrulax cinereifronsEndemicVulnerable

Nuthatches

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sittidae
Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Velvet-fronted nuthatch
Sitta frontalisResidentLeast concern

Starlings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Sri Lanka myna
Gracula ptilogenysEndemicNear threatened
Southern hill myna
Gracula indicaResidentLeast concern
Rosy starling
Pastor roseusLeast concern
Daurian starling
Agropsar sturninusLeast concern
Asian pied starling
Gracupica contraLeast concern
White-faced starling
Sturnornis albofrontatusEndemicVulnerable
Brahminy starling
Sturnia pagodarumLeast concern
Chestnut-tailed starling
Sturnia malabaricaSturnia malabarica malabaricaLeast concern
Common myna
Acridotheres tristisAcridotheres tristis tristis
Acridotheres tristis melanosternus
ResidentLeast concern

Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Turdidae
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Sri Lanka thrush
Zoothera imbricataEndemicNear threatened
Pied thrush
Geokichla wardiiLeast concern
Spot-winged thrush
Geokichla spilopteraEndemicNear threatened
Orange-headed thrush
Geokichla citrinaGeokichla citrina citrinaLeast concern
Indian blackbird
Turdus simillimusTurdus simillimus kinnisiiResidentLeast concern
Eyebrowed thrush
Turdus obscurusLeast concern

Old World flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae
Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Asian brown flycatcher
Muscicapa dauuricaLeast concern
Brown-breasted flycatcher
Muscicapa muttuiLeast concern
Spotted flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLeast concern
Rufous-tailed scrub-robin
Cercotrichas galactotesLeast concern
Indian robin
Copsychus fulicatusCopsychus fulicatus leucopterusResidentLeast concern
Oriental magpie-robin
Copsychus saularisCopsychus saularis saularisResidentLeast concern
White-rumped shama
Copsychus malabaricusCopsychus malabaricus leggeiResidentLeast concern
White-bellied blue flycatcher
Cyornis pallipesLeast concern
Blue-throated flycatcher
Cyomis rubeculoidesLeast concern
Hill blue flycatcher
Cyornis banyumasLeast concern
Tickell's blue flycatcher
Cyornis tickelliaeLeast concern
Blue-and-white flycatcher
Cyanoptila cyanomelanaLeast concern
Dull-blue flycatcher
Eumyias sordidusEndemicNear threatened
Indian blue robin
Larvivora brunneaMigrantLeast concern
Bluethroat
Luscinia svecicaLeast concern
Sri Lanka whistling-thrush
Myophonus blighiEndemicEndangered
Yellow-rumped flycatcher
Ficedula zanthopygiaLeast concern
Black-and-orange flycatcher
Ficedula nigrorufaNear threatened
Slaty-blue flycatcher
Ficedula tricolorLeast concern
Kashmir flycatcher
Ficedula subrubraVulnerable
Red-breasted flycatcher
Ficedula parvaLeast concern
Rufous-tailed rock-thrush
Monticola saxatilisLeast concern
Blue rock-thrush
Monticola solitariusLeast concern
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLeast concern
Siberian stonechat
Saxicola maurusNot evaluated
Pied bushchat
Saxicola caprataLeast concern
Isabelline wheatear
Oenanthe isabellinaLeast concern
Desert wheatear
Oenanthe desertiLeast concern
Pied wheatear
Oenanthe pleschankaLeast concern

Flowerpeckers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Dicaeidae
The flowerpeckers are very small, stout, often brightly coloured birds, with short tails, short thick curved bills and tubular tongues.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Thick-billed flowerpecker
Dicaeum agileDicaeum agile zeylonenseResidentLeast concern
White-throated flowerpecker
Dicaeum vincensEndemicNear threatened
Pale-billed flowerpecker
Dicaeum erythrorhynchosDicaeum erythrorhynchos ceylonenseResidentLeast concern

Sunbirds and spiderhunters

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Nectariniidae
The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Purple-rumped sunbird
Leptocoma zeylonicaLeptocoma zeylonica zeylonicaResidentLeast concern
Crimson-backed sunbird
Leptocoma minimaLeast concern
Purple sunbird
Cinnyris asiaticusCinnyris asiaticus asiaticusResidentLeast concern
Loten's sunbird
Cinnyris loteniusResidentLeast concern

Fairy-bluebirds

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Irenidae
The fairy-bluebirds are bulbul-like birds of open forest or thorn scrub. The males are dark-blue and the females a duller green.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Asian fairy-bluebird
Irena puellaLeast concern

Leafbirds

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Chloropseidae
The leafbirds are small, bulbul-like birds. The males are brightly plumaged, usually in greens and yellows.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Jerdon's leafbird
Chloropsis jerdoniResidentLeast concern
Golden-fronted leafbird
Chloropsis aurifronsResidentLeast concern

Weavers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Ploceidae
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Streaked weaver
Ploceus manyarLeast concern
Baya weaver
Ploceus philippinusLeast concern

Waxbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Estrildidae
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colours and patterns.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Indian silverbill
Euodice malabaricaLeast concern
White-rumped munia
Lonchura striataSouthwestern white-rumped munia
Lonchura striata striata
Least concern
Black-throated munia
Lonchura kelaartiLonchura kelaarti kelaartiLeast concern
Scaly-breasted munia
Lonchura punctulataLonchura punctulata punctulataLeast concern
Tricolored munia
Lonchura malaccaLeast concern
Chestnut munia
Lonchura atricapillaLeast concern
Java sparrow
Lonchura oryzivoraEndangered

Old World sparrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae
Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
House sparrow
Passer domesticusPasser domesticus indicusResidentLeast concern
Yellow-throated sparrow
Gymnoris xanthocollisLeast concern

Wagtails and pipits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Forest wagtail
Dendronanthus indicusLeast concern
Gray wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLeast concern
Western yellow wagtail
Motacilla flavaMotacilla flava beemaLeast concern
Eastern yellow wagtail
Motacilla tschutschensisLeast concern
Citrine wagtail
Motacilla citreolaLeast concern
White-browed wagtail
Motacilla maderaspatensisLeast concern
White wagtail
Motacilla albaLeast concern
Richard's pipit
Anthus richardiLeast concern
Paddyfield pipit
Anthus rufulusAnthus rufulus malayensisLeast concern
Blyth's pipit
Anthus godlewskiiLeast concern
Tawny pipit
Anthus campestrisLeast concern
Olive-backed pipit
Anthus hodgsoniLeast concern
Red-throated pipit
Anthus cervinusLeast concern

Finches, euphonias, and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Common rosefinch
Carpodacus erythrinusLeast concern

Old World buntings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Emberizidae
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.
NameBinomialSubspeciesStatusIUCN
Black-headed bunting
Emberiza melanocephalaLeast concern
Red-headed bunting
Emberiza brunicepsLeast concern
Gray-necked bunting
Emberiza buchananiLeast concern