215+ recorded species
Birds
Six endemics in Yala, thousands of migrants in Bundala, and a reservoir in Block 6 with 184 recorded species.
- 215+
- 6
- Bundala
- December to March
Yala is one of the island's 70 Important Bird Areas, with over 215 recorded species. Six are endemic: the Sri Lanka grey hornbill, Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka wood pigeon, black-capped bulbul, brown-capped babbler and crimson-fronted barbet.
Winter brings the migrants — pelicans, spoonbills, peregrine falcons and serpent eagles among them.
Bundala is the specialist's park: a Ramsar wetland and UNESCO biosphere reserve of lagoons and dunes, holding everything from little bee-eaters to open-billed storks, and flamingos in season. The reservoir in Yala Block 6 alone has recorded more than 184 species.
Where to look
Bundala's lagoons and dunes; the Block 6 reservoir; any water in Yala at dawn.
How often it is seen
Guaranteed, in volume
Also in the park