Sri Lanka List (Country List) of bird species

Version 2. May 2020

The Sri Lanka List of bird species (the Country List of bird species for Sri Lanka) is
compiled by the Ceylon Bird Club (CBC). Its basis is explained in The Avifauna of Sri
Lanka: An overview of the current status, 2009, D. Warakagoda and U. Sirivardana,
Taprobanica. Vol. 1 (1), pp. 28-35, and the section ‘The CBCRRC List Categories’ in the
document ‘The Ceylon Bird Club Rarities and Records Committee’.

The current List records 459 species of birds of which 242 breed in the country. A
number of further species is under evaluation by the Ceylon Bird Club Rarities and
Records Committee (CBCRRC), and those ratified will be added to the list.

The species added to this list since the last version (September 2011) are those
ratified by the CBCRRC since that time to December 2018.

The classification, taxonomy and sequence followed in this List conform to Birds of
South Asia: the Ripley Guide, Vols. 1 and 2, Second Edition (2012) P. C. Rasmussen and
J. C. Anderton, and the revision to species status of Dinopium psarodes in Illustrated
Checklist of the Birds of the World, Vol.1 (2014) J. del Hoyo and N. J. Collar.

The listing is to species level, giving the binomen of each species, except that when
two or more subspecies occurring within Sri Lanka are conspicuously distinct in
plumage from each other these are listed, with their trinomina.

The common or English names given first are those chosen by the CBC Bird Names
Committee in 2008 and 2011 for use by the CBC, and the alternatives (with a ‘/’ before
each) are those in popular guide books for the country and the region, and a recent
world checklist, which are indicated by superscripts as shown below. English names
for bird Families are those of the group/s of species which occur in the country.

1 Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Vols 1 and 2. Second edition (2012). P. C.
Rasmussen and J. C. Anderton.
2 Birds of Sri Lanka (2012) D. Warakagoda, C. Inskipp, T. Inskipp and R. Grimmett
3 Birds of the Indian Subcontinent (2011) R. Grimmett, C. Inskipp and T. Inskipp.
4 A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka Second edition (2011) J. Harrison and

T. Worfolk.
5 HBW & BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World Vols. 1

and 2 (2014 and 2016) J. del Hoyo and N. Collar.

Status of species and subspecies is given in accordance with the information known of
their occurrence in the country including its coastal waters. The status of species
migrant to the country is divided into ’migrant’ and ‘vagrant’ as explained below. Two
status codes for a species (with ‘+’ between) indicate that a population of each status
occurs in the country. The codes used are as follows.

E: the species is endemic to Sri Lanka.

R: the species or subspecies is a breeding resident in Sri Lanka, i.e. resident in the
country throughout or (as mainly in the case of seabirds) part of the year.
M: the species or subspecies is a regular migrant, which may be a common, fairly
common, rare or very rare migrant, to Sri Lanka.
V: the species or subspecies is a vagrant to Sri Lanka, i.e. the country is outside its
usual wintering range, it occurs irregularly and in small numbers.
U: the status of the species or subspecies in Sri Lanka is uncertain.
( ): (with a status code) the status shown is appropriate but not possible to clearly
resolve on the information presently available.
?: (against a status code) the number of birds so far recorded in the country and/or
the frequency of occurrence is uncertain (as relevant to that status).

GREBES PODICIPEDIDAE
1. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis R

PETRELS AND SHEARWATERS PROCELLARIIDAE

2. Cape Petrel Daption capense V
3. Barau's Petrel Pterodroma baraui M
4. Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii M
5. Jouanin's Petrel Bulweria fallax M
6. Streaked Shearwater Calonectris leucomelas V
7. Wedge-tailed Shearwater Ardenna pacifica M
8. Flesh-footed Shearwater Ardenna carneipes M
9. Sooty Shearwater Ardenna grisea V
10. Short-tailed Shearwater Ardenna tenuirostris V

SOUTHERN STORM PETRELS OCEANITIDAE

11. Wilson's Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus M
/ Wilson's Storm-petrel1,2,3,4,5
12. White-faced Storm Petrel Pelagodroma marina M
/ White-faced Storm-petrel1,2,3,5
13. Black-bellied Storm Petrel Fregetta tropica M
/ Black-bellied Storm-petrel1,2,3,5

NORTHERN STORM PETRELS HYDROBATIDAE

14. Swinhoe's Storm Petrel Oceanodroma monorhis M
/ Swinhoe's Storm-petrel1,2,3,4,5

TROPICBIRDS PHAETHONTIDAE
15. White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus M
16. Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus M

PELICANS PELECANIDAE
17. Spotted-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis R
/ Spot-billed Pelican1,2,3,4,5

GANNETS AND BOOBIES SULIDAE

18. Masked Booby Sula dactylatra M
 19. Brown Booby Sula leucogaster M
20. Red-footed Booby Sula sula M

CORMORANTS AND SHAGS PHALACROCORACIDAE

21. Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger R
22. Indian Shag Phalacrocorax fuscicollis R
/ Indian Cormorant2,3,4,5
23. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo R

DARTERS ANHINGIDAE
24. Indian Darter Anhinga melanogaster R
/ Oriental Darter1,4,5 / Darter2,3

FRIGATEBIRDS FREGATIDAE
25. Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel M
26. Great Frigatebird Fregata minor M
27. Christmas Island Frigatebird Fregata andrewsi V
/ Christmas Frigatebird1

HERONS AND EGRETS ARDEIDAE

28. Little Egret Egretta garzetta R
29. Indian Reef Heron Egretta gularis M
/ Western Reef-heron1 / Western Reef Egret2,3,4
/ Western Reef-egret5
30. Large Egret Egretta alba R
/ Great Egret1,2,3,4 / Great White Egret5
31. Median Egret Egretta intermedia R
/ Intermediate Egret1,2,3,4,5
32. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea R
33. Goliath Heron Ardea goliath V
34. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea R
35. Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus R?+M
/ Eastern Cattle Egret1
36. Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii R+M
/ Indian Pond-heron5
37. Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus V
/ Chinese Pond-heron5
38. Little Green Heron Butorides striata R
/ Striated Heron1,2,3,4/ Green-backed Heron5
39. Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax R
/ Black-crowned Night-heron1/
/Black-crowned Night Heron2,3,4
40. Malay Bittern Gorsachius melanolophus M
/ Malayan Night-heron1 / Malayan Night Heron2,3,4
/ Malay Night-heron5
41. Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis R+M
42. Chestnut Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus R+(M)
/ Cinnamon Bittern2,3,4,5
43. Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis R+M
44. Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris V
/ Great Bittern2,3

STORKS CICONIIDAE
45. Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala R
 46. Openbill Anastomus oscitans R
/ Asian Openbill1,2,3,4,5
47. Black Stork Ciconia nigra V
48. White-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus R
/ Woolly-necked Stork1,2,3,4/ Asian Woollyneck5
49. White Stork Ciconia ciconia V
50. Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus R
51. Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus R

IBISES AND SPOONBILLS THRESKIORNITHIDAE

52. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus R+M
53. White Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus R
/ Black-headed Ibis1,2,3,4,5
54. Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia R
/ Eurasian Spoonbill1,2,3,4,5

FLAMINGOS PHOENICOPTERIDAE
55. Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus M

GEESE AND DUCKS ANATIDAE

56. Large Whistling Teal Dendrocygna bicolor R+M
/ Fulvous Whistling-duck1,2,3,4,5
57. Lesser Whistling Teal Dendrocygna javanica R+(M)
/ Lesser Whistling-duck1,2,3,4,5
58. Greylag Goose Anser anser V
59. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea V
60. Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos R?+M
/ Knob-billed Duck1,2,3/ African Comb Duck5
61. Cotton Teal Nettapus coromandelianus R
/ Cotton Pygmy-goose2,3,4,5
62. Gadwall Mareca strepera V
63. Wigeon Mareca penelope M
/ Eurasian Wigeon1,2,3,4,5
64. Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha R+M
/ Indian Spot-billed Duck1,2,3
65. Shoveller Spatula clypeata M
/ Northern Shoveler1,2,3,4,5
66. Pintail Anas acuta M
/ Northern Pintail1,2,3,4,5
67. Garganey Querquedula querquedula M
68. Common Teal Anas crecca M
69. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula V

HAWKS, KITES, EAGLES AND VULTURES ACCIPITRIDAE

70. Brown Baza Aviceda jerdoni R
/ Jerdon’s Baza1
71. Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes V
72. Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus R+M
/ Oriental Honey Buzzard1
73. Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus R
/ Black-shouldered Kite
74. Black Kite Milvus migrans R+(M)
75. Brahminy Kite Haliaster indus R
76. White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster R
 77. Grey-headed Fishing Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus R
/ Grey-headed Fish Eagle1,2,3,4,5
78. Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus V
79. Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela R
80. Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus M
81. Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus M
82. Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos V
83. Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus M
84. Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus R
85. Shikra Accipiter badius R
86. Besra Sparrowhawk Accipiter virgatus R
87. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus V
88. Himalayan Buzzard Buteo burmanicus V?
/ Common Buzzard4
89. Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus V
90. Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis R
91. Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga V
92. Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata V
93. Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus M
94. Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii R
/ Rufous-bellied Eagle1,2,3,4,5
95. Crested Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus R
/ Changeable Hawk-Eagle2,3,4,5
96. Mountain Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus kelaarti R
/ Legge’s Hawk-eagle1

OSPREY PANDIONIDAE
97. Osprey Pandion haliaetus M
/ Western Osprey1

FALCONS FALCONIDAE
98. Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni V
99. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus R+M
100. Red-headed Merlin Falco chicquera V
/ Red-headed Falcon1,5/ Red-necked Falcon2,3,4
101. Amur Falcon Falco amurensis M
102. Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo V
103. Indian Hobby Falco severus M
/ Oriental Hobby1,2,3,4,5
104. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Peregrine Falcon F. p. calidus M
Shaheen Falcon F. c. peregrinator R

PARTRIDGES, QUAILS AND PHEASANTS PHASIANIDAE

105. Painted Partridge Francolinus pictus R
/ Painted Francolin1,2,3,4,5
106. Indian Grey Partridge Francolinus pondicerianus R
/ Grey Francolin1,2,3,4,5
107. Rain Quail Coturnix coromandelica M
108. Blue-breasted Quail Excalfactoria chinensis R
/ King Quail2,3/ Asian Blue Quail5
109. Jungle Bush Quail Perdicula asiatica R
/ Jungle Bush-quail1,5
110. Ceylon Spurfowl Galloperdix bicalcarata E
/ Sri Lanka Spurfowl2,3,4,5
 111. Ceylon Junglefowl Gallus lafayetii E
/ Sri Lanka Junglefowl2,3,4,5
112. Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus R

BUTTON QUAILS TURNICIDAE

113. Small Button Quail Turnix sylvaticus V
/ Small Buttonquail1,2,3,4 / Common Buttonquail5
114. Bustard Quail Turnix suscitator R
/ Barred Buttonquail1,2,3,4,5

RAILS, CRAKES, GALLINULES AND COOTS RALLIDAE

115. Banded Crake Rallina eurizonoides R+M
/ Slaty-legged Crake1,2,3,4,5
116. Blue-breasted Banded Rail Gallirallus striatus R+M
/ Slaty-breasted Rail1,2,3,4,5
117. Eastern Water Rail Rallus indicus V
/ Brown-cheeked Rail2,3 / Water Rail4
118. Corn Crake Crex crex V
/ Corncrake3,4,5
119. White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus R
120. Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla M
/ ‘Eastern’ Baillon’s Crake1
121. Ruddy Crake Porzana fusca R+M
/ Ruddy-breasted Crake1,2,3,4,5
122. Watercock Gallicrex cinerea R
123. Purple Coot Porphyrio [porphyrio] poliocephalus R
/ Purple Swamphen1,2,3,4,5
124. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus R
125. Common Coot Fulica atra R+M
/ Eurasian Coot1,2,3

JACANAS JACANIDAE
126. Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus R+(M)

PAINTED SNIPES ROSTRATULIDAE

127. Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis R
/ Greater Painted-snipe1,2,3,4,5

OYSTERCATCHERS HAEMATOPODIDAE
128. Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus M
/ Eurasian Oystercatcher1,2,3,4,5

GOLDEN AND GREY PLOVERS PLUVIALIDAE

129. Asiatic Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva M
/ Pacific Golden Plover1,2,3,4,5
130. Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola M

PLOVERS CHARADRIIDAE
131. Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula M
132. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius R+M
133. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus R+M
134. Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus M
/ Mongolian Plover4 / Lesser Sandplover5
135. Large Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii M
/ Greater Sand Plover1,2,3,4,5
 136. Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus V
137. Oriental Plover Charadrius veredus V
138. Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus R
139. Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus V
140. Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus R
141. Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius V
/ Sociable Plover1

SANDPIPERS AND ALLIES SCOLOPACIDAE

142. Woodcock Scolopax rusticola M
/ Eurasian Woodcock1,2,3,4,5
143. Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola V?
144. Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura M
/ Pin-tailed Snipe2,3
145. Swinhoe's Snipe Gallinago megala V?
146. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago M
147. Great Snipe Gallinago media V
148. Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus M
149. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa M
/ Western Black-tailed Godwit1
150. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica M
151. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus M
/ Eurasian Whimbrel1
152. Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata M
153. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus V
154. Common Redshank Tringa totanus M
155. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia M
156. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis M
157. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus M
158. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola M
159. Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus M
160. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos M
161. Turnstone Arenaria interpres M
/ Ruddy Turnstone1,2,3,4,5
162. Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus V
163. Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris M
164. Red Knot Calidris canutus M
165. Sanderling Ereunetes albus M
166. Little Stint Ereunetes minuta M
167. Red-necked Stint Ereunetes ruficollis V
/ Rufous-necked Stint1,4
168. Temminck's Stint Ereunetes temminckii M
169. Long-toed Stint Ereunetes subminutus M
170. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Limicola acuminata V
171. Pectoral Sandpiper Ereunetes melanotos V
172. Dunlin Ereunetes alpinus V
173. Curlew Sandpiper Erolia ferruginea M
174. Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus V
175. Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis V
176. Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus M
177. Ruff Philomachus pugnax M
178. Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus M

STILTS AND AVOCETS RECURVIROSTRIDAE

179. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus R+M
 180. Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta M
/ Pied Avocet1,2,3,4,5

CRAB PLOVER DROMADIDAE

181. Crab Plover Dromas ardeola R
/ Crab-plover1,2,3,4,5

STONE CURLEWS AND THICK-KNEES BURHINIDAE

182. Indian Stone Curlew Burhinus indicus R
/ Indian Stone-curlew1 / Indian Thick-knee2,3,5
/ Eurasian Thick-knee4
183. Great Stone Plover Esacus recurvirostris R
/ Great Thick-knee1,2,3,4,5

COURSERS AND PRATINCOLES GLAREOLIDAE

184. Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus R+(M)
185. Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola V
186. Large Pratincole Glareola maldivarum R+M
/ Oriental Pratincole1,2,3,4,5
187. Small Pratincole Glareola lactea R
/ Little Pratincole5

SKUAS AND JAEGERS STERCORARIIDAE

188. Brown Skua Stercorarius antarcticus V
/ Antarctic Skua4
189. South Polar Skua Stercorarius maccormicki V
190. Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus M
/ Pomarine Jaeger1,4,5
191. Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus V
/ Parasitic Jaeger1,4 / Arctic Jaeger5
192. Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus V
/ Long-tailed Jaeger1,5

GULLS LARIDAE
193. Sooty Gull Ichthyaetus hemprichii V
194. Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
‘Heuglin’s’ Gull L. f. heuglini M
‘Steppe’ Gull L. f. barabensis V
195. Great Black-headed Gull Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus M
/ Pallas’s Gull2,3,5
196. Brown-headed Gull Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus M
197. Common Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus V
/ Black-headed Gull2,3,5
198. Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei M

TERNS STERNIDAE
199. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica R?+M
200. Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia R?+M
201. Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis M
202. Large Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii R
/ Great Crested Tern1,4 / Greater Crested Tern2,3
203. Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis M
204. Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii R
205. Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana V
206. Common Tern Sterna hirundo R+M
 207. Little Tern Sternula albifrons R
208. Saunders's Tern Sternula saundersi R
209. Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus R+M
210. Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus R+M
211. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida M
212. White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus M
/ White-winged Tern1,2,3,4,5
213. Black Tern Chlidonias niger V
214. Brown Noddy Anous stolidus R+M
215. Lesser Noddy Anous tenuirostris R+M

PIGEONS AND DOVES COLUMBIDAE

216. Rock Pigeon Columba livia R
/ Common Pigeon2,3 / Rock Dove5
217. Ceylon Wood Pigeon Columba torringtoniae E
/ Ceylon Woodpigeon1 / Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon2,3
/ Sri Lanka Woodpigeon4,5
218. Purple Wood Pigeon Columba punicea V
/ Pale-capped Woodpigeon1 / Pale-capped Pigeon2,3,4,5
219. Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis M
/ Oriental Turtle-dove1,5 / Oriental Turtle Dove2,3,4
220. Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis R
/ Western Spotted Dove5
221. Red Turtle Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica V
/ Red Collared-dove1 / Red Collared Dove3,4
/ Red Turtle-dove5
222. Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto R
/ Eurasian Collared-dove1,5 / Eurasian Collared Dove2,3,4
223. Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica R
/ Grey-capped Emerald Dove5
224. Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicinctus R
/ Orange-breasted Green-pigeon1,5
225. Pompadour Green Pigeon Treron pompadora E
/ Ceylon Green-pigeon1 / Sri Lanka Green Pigeon2,3,4
/ Sri Lanka Green-pigeon5
226. Yellow-legged Green Pigeon Treron phoenicopterus R
/ Yellow-footed Green-pigeon1,5
/ Yellow-footed Green Pigeon2,3,4
227. Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea R
/ Green Imperial-pigeon1,5

PARROTS PSITTACIDAE
228. Ceylon Lorikeet Loriculus beryllinus E
/ Ceylon Hanging-parrot1 / Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot2,3,4,5
229. Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria R
230. Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri R
231. Blossom-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala R
/ Plum-headed Parakeet1,2,3,4,5
232. Layard's Parakeet Psittacula calthropae E
/ Emerald-collared Parakeet5

CUCKOOS CUCULIDAE
233. Green-billed Coucal Centropus chlororhynchos E
234. Common Coucal Centropus [sinensis] parroti R
/ ‘Southern’ Coucal1,3 / Greater Coucal2,4,5
235. Sirkeer Taccocua leschenaultii R
/ Sirkeer Malkoha1,2,3,4,5
236. Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus E
237. Blue-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus viridirostris R
238. Red-winged Crested Cuckoo Clamator coromandus M
/ Chestnut-winged Cuckoo1,2,3,4,5
239. Pied Crested Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus R
/ Jacobin Cuckoo1,2,3,5 / Pied Cuckoo4
240. Indian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus R
/ Asian Koel1,2,3 / Western Koel5
241. Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx maculatus V
/ Asian Emerald Cuckoo1,2,3,4,5
242. Bay-banded Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii R
/ Banded Bay Cuckoo1,2,3,4,5
243. Indian Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis passerinus M
/ Grey-bellied Cuckoo1,2,3,5/ Plaintive Cuckoo4
244. Drongo-Cuckoo Surniculus [lugubris] dicruroides R
/ ‘Fork-tailed’ Drongo-cuckoo1,5/ Drongo Cuckoo2,3,4
245. Common Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius R+M?
/ Common Hawk-cuckoo1,5/ Common Hawk Cuckoo2,3,4
246. Small Cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus M
/ Lesser Cuckoo2,3,4,5
247. Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus R+M
248. Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus M
/ Eurasian Cuckoo2,3

BARN OWLS AND BAY OWLS TYTONIDAE

249. Barn Owl Tyto alba R
/ Common Barn-owl1,5
250. Ceylon Bay Owl Phodilus assimilis R
/ Sri Lanka Bay Owl2,3,5 / Oriental Bay Owl4

OWLS STRIGIDAE
251. Serendib Scops Owl Otus thilohoffmanni E
252. Little Scops Owl Otus sunia R
/ Oriental Scops-owl1,2,3,4,5
253. Collared Scops Owl Otus bakkamoena R
/ Indian Scops-owl1,3,5
254. Forest Eagle-Owl Ketupa nipalensis R
/ Spot-bellied Eagle Owl2,3,4,5
255. Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensis R
256. Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica R
257. Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum R
258. Chestnut-backed Owlet Glaucidium castanotum E
259. Brown Hawk-Owl Ninox scutulata R
/ Brown Boobook5
260. Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus M

FROGMOUTHS PODARGIDAE
261. Ceylon Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger R
/ Sri Lanka Frogmouth2,3,4,5
NIGHTJARS CAPRIMULGIDAE
262. Great Eared Nightjar Lyncornis macrotis V
/ Great Eared-nightjar1,5
263. Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus R
/ Indian Jungle Nightjar1 / Jungle Nightjar3,5
264. Long-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus atripennis R
/ Jerdon’s Nightjar1,2,3,4,5
265. Indian Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus R+(M)
/ Indian Little Nightjar1

SWIFTS APODIDAE
266. Edible-nest Swift Aerodramus unicolor R
/ Indian Swiftlet 1,2,3,4,5

267. Brown-throated Spinetail Swift Hirundapus giganteus R

/ Brown-throated Needletail1 / Brown-backed Needletail2,3,4,5
268. Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis R
/ Asian Palm-swift1,5 / Asian Palm Swift2,3,4
269. Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba R
270. Pacific Swift Apus pacificus V
/ Fork-tailed Swift2,3
271. House Swift Apus affinis R
/ Little Swift1,3,4,5

TREESWIFTS HEMPROCNIDAE
272. Crested Tree Swift Hemiprocne coronata R
/ Crested Treeswift1,2,3,5 / Grey-rumped Treeswift4

TROGONS TROGONIDAE
273. Ceylon Trogon Harpactes fasciatus R
/ Malabar Trogon1,2,3,4

KINGFISHERS ALCEDINIDAE
274. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis R
275. Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting U
276. Indian Three-toed Kingfisher Ceyx erithaca R
/ Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher1
/ Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher2,3,4,5
277. Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis R
278. White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis R
/ White-throated Kingfisher1,2,3,4
279. Black-capped Purple Kingfisher Halcyon pileata M
/ Black-capped Kingfisher1,2,3,4,5
280. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis R
/ Lesser Pied Kingfisher1

BEE-EATERS MEROPIDAE
281. Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis R
/ Green Bee-eater2,3 / Asian Green Bee-eater5
282. Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus R+M
283. European Bee-eater Merops apiaster M
284. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti R
ROLLERS CORCIIDAE
285. European Roller Coracias garrulus V
/ Eurasian Roller3
286. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis R
287. Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus orientalis R
/ Dollarbird1,2,3,4 / Oriental Dollarbird5

HOOPOES UPUPIDAE
288. Hoopoe Upupa epops R+(M)
/ Common Hoopoe1,2,3,5 / Eurasian Hoopoe4

HORNBILLS BUCEROTIDAE
289. Ceylon Grey Hornbill Ocyceros gingalensis E
/ Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill2,3,4,5
290. Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus R

BARBETS MEGALAIMIDAE
291. Brown-headed Barbet Megalaima zeylanica R
292. Yellow-fronted Barbet Megalaima flavifrons E
293. Ceylon Small Barbet Xantholaema rubricapillus E
/ Crimson-fronted Barbet2,3 / Sri Lanka Small Barbet4
/ Sri Lanka Barbet5
294. Crimson-breasted Barbet Xantholaema haemacephalus R
/ Coppersmith Barbet1,2,3,4,5

WOODPECKERS PICIDAE
295. Wryneck Jynx torquilla V
/ Eurasian Wryneck1,2,3,4,5
296. Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos nanus R
/ Indian Pygmy Woodpecker1,5
/ Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker2,3
/ Brown-capped Woodpecker4
297. Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker Dendrocopos mahrattensis
/ Yellow-crowned Woodpecker2,3,4,5 R
298. Rufous Woodpecker Micropternus brachyurus R
299. Lesser Yellow-naped Woodpecker Picus chlorolophus R
/ Lesser Yellownape 1,2,3,4,5

300. Scaly-bellied Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus R

/ Streak-throated Woodpecker1,2,3,4,5
301. Golden-backed Woodpecker Dinopium benghalense R
/ Black-rumped Flameback1,4,5 / Lesser Goldenback2,3
302. Red-backed Woodpecker Dinopium psarodes E
/ Black-rumped Flameback / Lesser Goldenback
1,4 2,3

/ Lesser Sri Lanka Flameback5

303. Crimson-backed Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes stricklandi E
/ Crimson-backed Flameback1 / Crimson-backed Goldenback2,3
/ Greater Sri Lanka Flameback5
304. Black-backed Yellow Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes festivus
/ White-naped Flameback1 / White-naped Woodpecker2,3,4,5 R

PITTAS PITTIDAE
305. Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura M
LARKS ALAUDIDAE
306. Jerdon’s Bushlark Mirafra affinis R
307. Ashy-crowned Finch-Lark Eremopterix griseus R
/ Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark2,3,4,5
308. Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla V
309. Indian Skylark Alauda gulgula R
/ Oriental Skylark1,2,3,4,5

SWALLOWS AND MARTINS HIRUNDINIDAE

310. Sand Martin Riparia riparia V
/ Common Sand Martin1 / Collared Sand Martin5
311. Dusky Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne concolor V
312. Common Swallow Hirundo rustica
Common Swallow H. r. rustica M
Common Swallow H. r. gutturalis M
Tytler’s Swallow H. r. tytleri V
/ Barn Swallow1,2,3,4,5
313. Hill Swallow Hirundo domicola R
/ House Swallow5
314. Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii V
315. Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica M
316. Ceylon Swallow Cecropis hyperythra E
/ Sri Lanka Swallow2,3,4,5
317. Indian Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon fluvicola V
/ Streak-throated Swallow1,2,3,4,5
318. Northern House Martin Delichon urbicum V
/ Common House Martin2.3

PIPITS AND WAGTAILS MOTACILLIDAE

319. Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus M
320. White Wagtail Motacilla alba
White-faced Wagtail M. a. dukhunensis M
Chinese Wagtail M. a. leucopsis V
321. Large Pied Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis V
/ White-browed Wagtail1,2,3,4,5
322. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola M
323. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
Grey-headed Yellow Wagtail M. f. thunbergi M
Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail M. f. beema M
Yellow-headed Yellow Wagtail M. f. lutea M
Black-headed Yellow Wagtail M. f. feldegg/melanogrisea V
/ Western Yellow Wagtail1,5
324. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea M
325. Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi M
326. Indian Pipit Anthus rufulus R
/ Paddyfield Pipit1,2,3,4,5
327. Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris V
328. Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii M
329. Indian Tree Pipit Anthus hodgsoni V
/ Olive-backed Pipit1,2,3,4,5
330. Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus V

CUCKOO-SHRIKES AND MINIVETS CAMPEPHAGIDAE

331. Large Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina macei R
/ Large Cuckooshrike1,2,3,4 / Indian Cuckooshrike5
332. Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike Lalage melanoptera R
/ Black-headed Cuckooshrike1,2,3,4
333. Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus R
334. Orange Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus R
/ Scarlet Minivet2,5 / Flame Minivet4
FLYCATCHER-SHRIKE AND WOODSHRIKES VANGIDAE
335. Pied Flycatcher-Shrike Hemipus picatus R
/ Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike2,3,4,5
336. Ceylon Wood Shrike Tephrodornis affinis E
/ Ceylon Woodshrike1 / Sri Lanka Woodshrike2,3,4,5

MONARCHS MONARCHIDAE
337. Asian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi
Indian Paradise Flycatcher T. p. paradisi M
Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher T. p. ceylonensis R
/ Indian Paradise-flycatcher5
338. Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea R
/ Black-naped Blue Monarch1

FANTAILS RHIPIDURIDAE
339. White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola R

BULBULS PYCNONOTIDAE
340. Black-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus E
/ Black-headed Yellow Bulbul4
341. Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer R
342. Yellow-eared Bulbul Kelaartia penicillata E
343. White-browed Bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus R
344. Yellow-browed Bulbul Acritillas indica R
345. Black Bulbul Hypsipetes ganeesa R
/ Square-tailed Black Bulbul1 / Square-tailed Bulbul5

CANARY-FLYCATCHERS AND ALLIES STENOSTRIDAE

346. Grey-headed Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis R
/ Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher1,2,3,4,5

IORAS AEGITHINIDAE
347. Common Iora Aegithina tiphia R
348. Marshall’s Iora Aegithina nigrolutea R

LEAFBIRDS CHLOROPSEIDAE
349. Gold-fronted Chloropsis Chloropsis aurifrons R
/ Gold-fronted Leafbird1 / Golden-fronted Leafbird2,3,4,5
350. Jerdon's Chloropsis Chloropsis jerdoni R
/ Jerdon's Leafbird1,2,3,5

SHRIKES LANIIDAE
351. Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus
Brown Shrike L. c. cristatus M
Philippine Shrike L. c. lucionensis V
352. Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus V
353. Rufous-rumped Shrike Lanius schach R
/ Long-tailed Shrike1,2,3,5 / Rufous-backed Shrike4
354. Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor V
 / Southern Grey Shrike2,3,4

THRUSHES TURDIDAE
355. Pied Ground Thrush Geokichla wardii M
/ Pied Thrush1,2,3,4,5
356. Orange-headed Ground Thrush Geokichla citrina M
/ Orange-headed Thrush1,2,3,4,5
357. Spotted-winged Thrush Geokichla spiloptera E
/ Spot-winged Thrush1,2,3,4,5

358. Ceylon Scaly Thrush Zoothera imbricata E

/ Sri Lanka Thrush2,3 / Sri Lanka Scaly Thrush4
/ White’s Thrush5
359. Blackbird Turdus simillimus R
/ Indian Blackbird1,2,3,5/ Eurasian Blackbird4
360. Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus V

OLD-WORLD FLYCATCHERS AND CHATS MUSCICAPIDAE

FLYCATCHERS
361. Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa latirostris M
/ Asian Brown Flycatcher1,2,3,4,5
362. Layard’s Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui M
/ Brown-breasted Flycatcher1,2,3,4,5
363. Yellow-rumped Flycatcher Ficedula zanthopygia V
364. Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra M
365. Dusky-blue Flycatcher Eumyias sordidus E
/ Dull-blue Flycatcher2,3,4,5
366. Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyornis rubeculoides V
/ Blue-throated Blue-flycatcher5
367. Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae R
368. Blue-and-White Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana V

WHISTLING & ROCK THRUSHES, ROBINS AND CHATS

369. Ceylon Whistling Thrush Myophonus blighi E
/ Ceylon Whistling-thrush1/ Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush2,3,4,5
370. Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis V
371. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius M
372. Bluethroat Luscinia svecica V
373. Indian Blue Chat Larvivora brunnea M
/ Indian Blue Robin1,2,3,4,5
374. Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas galactotes V
375. Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis R
/ Oriental Magpie-robin1,2,3,4,5
376. White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus R
377. Black Robin Copsychus fulicatus R
/ Indian Black Robin1 / Indian Robin2,3,5
/ Black-backed Robin4
378. Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus V
/ Common Stonechat2,3,5
379. Whinchat Saxicola rubetra V
380. Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata R
381. Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka V
382. Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti V
383. Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina V
BABBLERS TIMALIIDAE
384. Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush Garrulax cinereifrons E
/ Ashy-headed Laughingthrush1,2,3,4,5
385. Brown-capped Babbler Pellorneum fuscocapillus E
386. Ceylon Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus melanurus E
/ Sri Lanka Scimitar-babbler2,3,4,5
387. White-throated Babbler Dumetia hyperythra R
/ Tawny-bellied Babbler1,2,3,4,5
388. Black-fronted Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps R
/ Dark-fronted Babbler1,2,3,4,5
389. Rufous Babbler Turdoides rufescens E
/ Ceylon Rufous Babbler1 / Orange-billed Babbler2,3,4,5
390. Southern Common Babbler Turdoides affinis R
/ Yellow-billed Babbler1,2,3,4,5

GRASS BABBLERS AND ALLIES PARADOXOMITHIDAE

391. Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense R

WHITE-EYES AND ALLIES ZOSTEROPIDAE

392. Ceylon Hill White-eye Zosterops ceylonensis E
/ Ceylon White-eye1 / Sri Lanka White-eye2,3,4,5
393. Small White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus R
/ Oriental White-eye1,2,3,4,5

CISTICOLAS, PRINIAS AND TAILORBIRDS CISTICOLIDAE

394. Streaked Fantail Warbler Cisticola juncidis R
/ Zitting Cisticola1,2,3,4,5
395. Franklin’s Prinia Prinia hodgsonii R
/ Grey-breasted Prinia1,2,3,4,5
396. Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis R
397. Large Prinia Prinia sylvatica R
/ Jungle Prinia1,2,3,4,5
398. White-browed Prinia Prinia inornata R
/ Plain Prinia1,2,3,4,5
399. Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius R

GRASSHOPPER-WARBLERS AND BUSH-WARBLERS LOCUSTELLIDAE

400. Ceylon Warbler Elaphrornis palliseri E
/ Sri Lanka Bush-warbler 1,2,3,4 / Sri Lanka Warbler 5

401. Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata V

402. Common Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia V
/ Grasshopper Warbler 1,2,3 / Common Grasshopper-warbler 5

403. Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler Locustella certhiola M

/ Rusty-rumped Warbler1,2,3
404. Broad-tailed Grass Warbler Schoenicola platyurus U
/ Indian Broad-tailed Grass-warbler1
/ Broad-tailed Grassbird 2,3,4,5

REED-WARBLERS AND ALLIES ACROCEPHALIDAE

405. Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum M
406. Clamorous Reed Warbler R
Acrocephalus [stentoreus] brunnescens
/ Indian Reed-warbler1
407. Sykes’s Warbler Iduna rama M
/ Booted Warbler4
 408. Booted Warbler Iduna caligata V

LEAF-WARBLERS PHYLLOSCOPIDAE
409. Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus V
410. Greenish Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides V
/ Greenish Warbler1,2,3,4,5
411. Green Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus nitidus M
/ Bright-green Warbler1,4 / Green Warbler2,3,5
412. Large-billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris M
413. Western Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis V
/ Western Crowned Leaf-warbler5

SYLVIID WARBLERS SYLVIIDAE

414. Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca V
415. Desert Whitethroat Sylvia minula V
/ Lesser Whitethroat4,5
416. Hume’s Whitethroat Sylvia althaea M
/ Lesser Whitethroat4,5

TITMICE PARIDAE
417. Grey Tit Parus cinereus R
/ Cinereous Tit1 / Great Tit2,3,4,5

NUTHATCHES SITTIDAE
418. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis R

FLOWERPECKERS DICAEIDAE
419. Thick-billed Flowerpecker Pachyglossa agilis R
420. Legge’s Flowerpecker Pachyglossa vincens E
/ White-throated Flowerpecker 4,5
421. Tickell’s Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos R
/ Pale-billed Flowerpecker1,2,3,4,5

SUNBIRDS AND ALLIES NECTARINIIDAE

422. Purple-rumped Sunbird Leptocoma zeylonica R
423. Purple Sunbird Cynnyris asiaticus R
424. Loten’s Sunbird Cynnyris lotenius R
/ Long-billed Sunbird4

BUNTINGS EMBERIZIDAE
425. Grey-necked Bunting Emberiza buchanani V
426. Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala V
427. Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps V

FINCHES FRINGILLIDAE
428. Common Rosefinch Erythrina erythrina V

WAXBILLS ESTRILDIDAE
429. White-throated Munia Euodice malabarica R
/ Indian Silverbill1,2,3,5 / White-throated Silverbill4
430. White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata R
431. Ceylon Hill Munia Lonchura kelaarti R
/ Black-throated Munia1,2,3,4,5
432. Spotted Munia Lonchura punctulata R
/ Scaly-breasted Munia1,2,3,4,5
 433. Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca R
/ Tricoloured Munia1,5

OLD-WORLD SPARROWS PASSERIDAE

434. House Sparrow Passer domesticus R
435. Yellow-throated Sparrow Gymnoris xanthocollis V
/ Chestnut-shouldered Petronia2,3,4
/ Chestnut-shouldered Bush-sparrow5

WEAVERS PLOCEIDAE
436. Striated Weaver Ploceus manyar R
/ Streaked Weaver1,2,3,4,5
437. Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus R

STARLINGS AND MYNAS STURNIDAE

438. Ceylon White-headed Starling Sturnornis albofrontatus E
/ White-faced Starling1,2,3,4,5
439. Grey-headed Starling Sturnia malabarica V
/ Chestnut-tailed Starling2,3,4,5
440. Daurian Starling Agropsar sturninus V
/ Purple-backed Starling4,5
441. Brahminy Myna Sturnia pagodarum M
/ Brahminy Starling1,2,3,4,5
442. Rosy Starling Pastor roseus M
443. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis R
444. Ceylon Hill Myna Gracula ptilogenys E
/ Ceylon Hill-myna1 / Sri Lanka Hill Myna2,3,5
/ Sri Lanka Myna4
445. Common Hill Myna Gracula indica R
/ Lesser Hill-myna1/ Lesser Hill Myna2,3,4
/ Southern Hill-myna1

ORIOLES ORIOLIDAE
446. European Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus V
/ Eurasian Golden Oriole3,5
447. Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus kundoo M
448. Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis V
449. Black-headed Oriole Oriolus xanthornus R+(M)
/ Black-hooded Oriole1,2,3,4,5

FAIRY BLUEBIRDS IRENIDAE

450. Fairy Bluebird Irena puella U
/ Asian Fairy-bluebird1,2,3,4,5

DRONGOS DICRURIDAE
451. Black Drongo Edolius macrocercus R+M
452. Grey Drongo Edolius leucophaeus M
/ Ashy Drongo1,2,3,5
453. White-bellied Drongo Edolius caerulescens
White-bellied Drongo E. c. insularis R
White-vented Drongo E. c. leucopygialis R
454. Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus R
/ Greater Racket-tailed Drongo1,2,3,4,5
455. Ceylon Crested Drongo Dicrurus lophorinus E
/ Sri Lanka Drongo2,3,5 / Sri Lanka Crested Drongo4
WOODSWALLOWS ARTAMIDAE
456. Ashy Swallow-Shrike Artamus fuscus R
/ Ashy Woodswallow1,2,3,4,5

CROWS, MAGPIES AND ALLIES CORVIDAE

457. Ceylon Blue Magpie Urocissa ornata E
/ Sri Lanka Blue Magpie2,3,4,5
458. House Crow Corvus splendens R
459. Jungle Crow Corvus [macrorhyncos] culminatus R
/ Indian Jungle Crow1,3 / Large-billed Crow2,4,5

Citation:
Ceylon Bird Club. 2020. Sri Lanka List (Country List) of bird species. Version 2.
http://www.ceylonbirdclub.org

List compiled and status of species and subspecies analysed by:

D. Warakagoda, CBC Rarities and Records Committee,
Ceylon Bird Club, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Works used in analysis of status of species and subspecies:

1. Ceylon Bird Club Notes, to date, monthly. Ceylon Bird Club.
2. Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), 1978. W.W. A. Phillips.
3. Checklist of the Birds of Sri Lanka, 1994. D. P. Wijesinghe.
4. A Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka, 3rd revised ed., 1998. G. M. Henry.
5. Waterbird Population Estimates: 4th Edition, 2006. S. Delany and D. Scott.
6. Birds of Sri Lanka: Helm Field Guides, 2012. D. Warakagoda, C. Inskipp, T. Inskipp
and R. Grimmett.
7. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Vols. 1 and 2. 2nd edition, 2012. P. C. Rasmus-
sen and J. C. Anderton.
8. Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World: HBW & BirdLife International. Vols. 1
& 2, 2014 & 2016. J. del Hoyo and N. Collar.
May 2020