Giant sensitive plant/Creeping mimosa (Mimosa diplotricha [Syn: Mimosa invisa])

Woody herb with long trailing stems native to Brazil and introduced to other tropical countries. It is considered as a serious invasive plant. In Flora of Ceylon Volume 1 it is mentioned that this species was once found along the road outside Agricultural station in Peradeniya and it was imported as a green manure (Dassanayaka & Fosberg 1980). However today it is one of widely spread weed of waste lands, along roads and secondary shrub lands etc. 

පුත්තලම් බූරුවා[Puttalam Booruwa]/Puttalam ass (Equus asinus)

Feral donkeys found in both Mannar Island and Kalpitiya peninsula of Sri Lanka are believed to be decedents of domestic breeds imported during either colonial time or even earlier by Arab traders. (Manual of the Mammals of Sri Lanka - Phillips 1984) They are usually light grey color animals though  blacks and browns are also known.  According to the Santiapillai (Sri Lanka Nature 2000) species in Sri Lanka is Equus afcricanus with close affinities with the wild Nubian sub species.

             

Pioneer (Belenois aurota taprobana)

Pioneer is a common butterfly found in the dry zone of low lands and sometime in wet zone, though not common in all year rounds. Its best months appear to be between September and February (The Butterflies of Ceylon - D'abrera 1998).  It joins with migrating flights during North-East monsoons and mud-pudding with other species can be observed too. Its larva feeds on plants of Capparaceae family such as Capparis brevispina, Cadaba trifoliata, Capparis grandis, Capparis sepiaria, Capparis zeylanica (සුදු වෙළන්ගිරිය) and Maerua arenaria. Egg laying only was observed on Salvadora persica (මලිත්තන් /Mustard Tree) too.

Skipper Frog/Utpatana Madiya (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis)

Widely distributed frog, inhabiting all types of water bodies (prefer still water) from Sea level (Ex: Bundala) to higher elevations (Ex: Nuwaraeliaya).  It can be distinguished from its close relative Euphlyctis hexadactylus by its smaller size (50-60 mm from snout to vent) and smooth throat (hexadactylus has warts on its throat).  It is well adapted to aquatic life and frequently can be seen floating in water while keeping its bulging eyes and the nostril above the water surface. It can skip over the water surface when alarmed and hence its Vernacular names(Skipper/Utpatana).  

පැණි කුරුල්ලා[Pani kurulla]/Long-Billed Sunbird/Loten’s Sunbird (Nectarinia lotenia lotenia)

Long-Billed Sunbird is a very common bird of all climatic zones of the island while getting less common in higher hills.  Often found close to human settlements probably due to abundant of flowering plants, nectar of them it feeds on. Beside that it also feeds on several small insects, spiders and caterpillars. Breeding season is from February to May and the nest a hanging pear shaped structure with an entrance in the side in wet zone. And in dry zone it utilizes a larger communal nest of a certain spider by pressing a cavity into the side of it. 

Baobab (Adansonia digitata)

         

Genus Adansonia to which this tree belong has 6 species in Madagaskar, 2 in Australia and one species in tropical Africa. African species was introduced to Sri Lanka and naturalized in arid zone of the country. It is believed that it was introduced to Sri Lanka by Arab traders in several centuries ago. Here it grows in Mannar peninsula and opposite mainland, Delft island, Wilpaththu and Puththam. Trunk of it is hollowed out by African natives and made into houses, Fibers of the bark use to manufacture of ropes and young leaves as a vegetable. Pulp of the capsule contain tartaric acid and make a drink mix with water. Baobab has Tamil vernacular names – Perukku-Maran and Papparappuli. English Name  ‘Monkey bread tree’ since monkeys are fond of capsules. Aliyagaha – Sinhala name (Sri lanka wild life interlude vol l ) It is said that the tree in Pallimunai of Mannar island is the oldest and largest one of 800 years old. Local tradition is that this tree brought to SL by Arabs to feed their camels by its leaves. 

ඕලු මුවා/වැලි මුවා[Olu muwa/ Welli Muwa]/Barking Deer/Muntjack (Muntiacus muntjak malabaricus)

Found in forest areas throughout the Island though much common in lower hills.  Usually met alone or as pairs in forest edges always not much away from a dense cover to which it can retreat when a threat occurred. It feeds during night but can be also seen during early morning or late evening hours. It has a very peculiar cry which resembles to the barking of a dog. Hence its English name. Sometime it keep on barking intermittently for long period when alarmed by a leopard or such a intruder. Its food consist of grasses and leaves.

Merremia emarginata

Rather rare prostrate vine found in sandy places of dry zone. Indigenous. Also found in tropical Africa, tropical Asia and Malaysia.  Specimens were collected from Mannar, Kekirawa, Trincomalee, Batticola, Yala national park (Flora of Ceylon Vol 1 – Dassanayaka & Fosberg, 1980). Above picture was taken at Manthei of Mannar district

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

Very common migrant to lagoons and coastal marshes and tanks of dry zone especially in Northern and South-eastern part of the country. Sometimes it occurs in flocks of many hundreds. It feeds by up-ending in shallow waters of lagoons. And during night it flies to the paddy fields to feed on grains and aquatic animals.  Eventhough it is said that it feeds during night and roost on sandbanks or on the water of lagoons well out in the middle during day time (Henry 1998 3^rd Edition & Kotagama & Rathnaveera 2010) I have observed in Vankalai sanctuary of Mannar that it is feeding even during dawn till 8-9 am and again in dusk.  Probably due to the prevailing safe situation there around army camp where hunting of them is impossible.

Common Bluetail (Ischnura senegalensis)

Common small damselfly with  about 20-24 abdomen and 13-16mm hind wing. It inhabits from sea level to 7000ft both in dry and wet zones

Golden Angle (Caprona ransonnettii)

A rare butterfly of low country dry zone found from sea level to about 1000m altitude. Its larva feeds on Lihiniya plant (Helicteres isora), Grewia hirsuta, Grewia damine, Urena lobata, and Microcos paniculata

ඇත්-නෙරෙන්චි[Et-Nerenchi]/Common pedalium (Pedalium murex)

A very common herb along sandy beaches of the dry zone. Flowering from February to September and perhaps in other months.  Flowers open in the morning and close late in the afternoon.

Caspian Tern/කැස්පියා සාගරළිහිණියා/රත්තුඩු මුහුදුළිහිණියා[Kaspiya Sagaralihiniya/Rattudu Mudhudulihiniya] (Sterna caspia)

Caspian tern is the largest of all terns. It is unmistakable with its characteristic large red bill with dark tip. It is a common migrant to dry zone coastal areas of Northern half of the island and coastal wetlands and tanks of Hambantota district. It is less common in wet zone. Breeding birds were observed also from sand banks of Adam’s bridge and resident population present in Negombo lagoon (Kotagama & Ratnavira 2010).  Caspian tern is usually seen flying solitarily or in pairs and resting on sand banks often companies with other terns. 

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

Dawn Bluetail (Ischnura aurora aurora )

Small damselfly of about 16-20mm of abdomen and 10-12mm of hind wing, distributed locally throughout the country from the coast to the higher hills. 

විස්සනි/මහමැදහන්ගු[Wissani/Maha-Medahangu]/Langali (Pergularia daemia)

A twining indigenous herb common in dry and arid zones of sri lanka, often in disturbed vegetations.  It has greenish white flower with five petals flowering from February to September.

Spot-Billed Duck (Anas poecilorhynacha)

Spot-billed duck has been considered as a rare migrant till recent time.  But Ceylon Bird Club members were able to observe some breeding birds of this duck in Vankalai Ramsar wetland site recently and so it is now considered as a Breeding resident of Sri Lanka supplemented by migrant birds from India during the North-East monsoons .Migrant birds are earlier reported from tanks, paddy fields and marshes of Jaffna peninsula, Mahawelli flood plain national park and eastern sea belt. This duck can be distinguished from all other ducks by its colorful bill. Vankalei is a good site for observing this duck and above picture was taken while it was flying over the Mannar causeway. 

Indian Duskhawker (Gynacantha dravida)

This rather uncommon dragonfly can be easily identified by a distinct constriction in its abdomen. It appears at dusk and come frequently to lights in houses though its usual habitats are tanks edges and marshlands where it flies rapidly during dusk and probably dawn as well. During day time they rest in shrubs overhanging the water surface. 

Forest Daygecko (Cnemaspis silvula)

Forest daygecko is a recently described (Manamendra-arachchi, Batuwita & Pethiyagoda – Zeylanica - 2007) endemic gecko species of lowland wet zone forests. So far it is recorded from Kanneliya, Sinharaja, Beraliya, Kaluthara, Mathara, Galle, Kottawa etc. It is diurnal in habit and usually found in large tree trunks.  It can be distinguished from other Cnemaspis species by having about 7 indistinct V-shaped markings on the dorsum and light yellow spot between two chevrons on the occipital region. 

කොළඹ කපුටා[Kolamba Kaputa ] House Crow (Corvus splendens)

Very common breeding resident of all zones. Abundant in coastal and urban areas but never in thick forests.  It is omnivorous and scavenges on anything edible. In recent history uncontrolled garbage disposal has created an ideal condition for House crow to extend its habitats while threatening to survival of most other animals especially avifauna in most urban areas.  House crow roosts in large flocks in tall trees still remains in towns and it is a common sight of arriving crows from every direction at the dusk to such roosting places, sometime from very long distance of their day time feeding grounds.  The breeding season is from May to September and it builds a nest which is just a mass of twigs with the hollow lined with fibres.  

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

වනරාජ [Wanaraja] (Anoectochilus regalis[Anoectochilus setaceus])

An endemic terrestrial orchid species grows in shade of trees among leaf litter in the tropical wet evergreen forests and subtropical montane forests (From 305m to1829m altitude). Flowering in January, May to September and December. Wanaraja is used for treating snake-bite poisoning in traditional Sinhalese medicine. It has been collecting extensively and illegally for medicinal as well as ornamental purposes. Therefore this orchid species has become rare in most places where it was abundantly occurred previously.    

Kandian Gecko (Hemidactylus Depressus)

An endemic gecko with wide distribution in the island excluding higher altitudes and perhalf far north of the country.  Nocturnal and feed on insects. It inhabits on trees, rock crevices and sometime even in houses.  Lay two eggs in a  rock crevice or a tree hole.

Common Nawab (Polyura athamas)

Nawab is a fast flying rare butterfly from sea level to about 1500m elevation of hill country excluding extreme North.  Larva feed on Albizia chinensis (කබල් මාර/හුලං මාර), Calliandra surinamensis,  Senegalia caesia (හිඟුරු-වැල්), Acacia pennata (ගොඩ හිඟුරු), Ventilago madraspatana (යකඩ වැල්),  Albizia lebbeck (සූරිය මාර), Delonix regia (මල් මාර/රතු මාර/Flame tree/Flamboyant/Golden Mohur), Caesalpinia bonduc (කුඹුරු/කුඹුරු වැල්/කළු වවුලැටිය/Grey Nicker), Biancaea sappan and Falcataria moluccana (මාර). 

Common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

Common indigenous wader distributed in tanks, paddy fields and marshes of low country dry zone and less commonly in wet zone.  Usually found in pairs or as small scattered flocks.  To escape a danger such as attack of a hawk it dives and remain under water for some time clinging to under water weeds, while keeping only  its beak above the surface for breathing.  It feeds on water insects and such small animals, and also various kinds of vegetarian stuffs.  During breeding season which is from March to July it make a nest on top of a shrub growing in water and lay 5-8 eggs.

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

රට තෝර[Rata-tora]/Candle bush/Candle stick/rinworm shrub(Senna alata [Cassia alata])

A native plant of tropical America and introduced and cultivated in Sri Lanka.  There are escaped plants grows in waste places, canal banks, tanks and paddy field edges etc. Use as a medicine for ringworm and hence the one of vernacular English name.

Bark Gecko/(Hemidactylus leschenaultii)

Comparatively large gecko from dry zone. It inhabits large trees (specially [Terminalia arjuna], rock outcrops and sometime even houses. It is diurnal in habit but mostly active during dawn and dusk.  Its main prey consist of insects though there are records of this gecko feeds on large animals like other geckos, skinks, snakes (Ruchira somaweera reported a instance where it was preying on a wolf snake (Lycodon striatus) – gecko (2) 2004 ) and mouse (from India).

Indian Rockdweller ( Bradinopyga germinate )

Rare dragonfly with well camouflaged coloration in its usual habitats such as granite rocks and cemented ponds.

Sri Lankan Keelback/දියබරියා[Diya Bariya] (Xenochrophis asperrimus)

An  endemic and common water snake of both dry and wet zone up to 1000m a.s.l.  Found in rice fields, tanks, marshes, rivers and streams. It is active in water bodies both by day and during night in search of its prey which consist mainly of fish and frogs.  It can be easily identified by having about 20 dark spots or bars of its first half of the body and two dark lines behind eye. 

Brown-headed Gull (Larus brunnicephalus)

Brown-headed Gull is probably the most common gull of the island, which is abundant in northern coastal and lagoon areas during winter and rarely found in other coastal areas such as South-eastern part of the country. There are some summer loiters as well. It is gregarious and flocks can be seen resting on the water close to beach. It scavenges in harbours and also follows ships for ‘easy food’ thrown overboard from them.  Brown-headed gull can be easily distinguished from other gulls by dark-tipped red bill and black wing tips with two white spots near the edge visible when  flight. Brown hood appears of  breeding birds by the end of March.

 සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

ඇලි වඳුරා [Elli wadura]/Grey langur (semnopithecus priam)

A common monkey found throughout the wooded areas of the low country dry zone of the island.  Lives as family parties of both sexes of around 5 to 20 or 30 individuals lead by a dominant male. Each troop has its own domain and they spend day time on the ground or in trees in seeking foods which consist mainly of vegetable stuffs like fruits, flowers, leaves and seeds.  It keep its tail held up when walk on the ground. Other than man who hunt them for meat specially Veddas, only leopard (Panthera pardus) and perhalf Python (Python molurus) can be considered as it enemies. 

Black Headed Ibis/සුදු දෑතුඩුවා/හිසකළු දෑකැත්තා[Sudu dhatuduwa/Hisa kalu dhakaththa] (Threskiornis melanocephalus)

Common breeding resident of low country dry zone marshes, tanks, paddy fields and lagoons. However there are considerable number of breeding birds in wet zone especially wetlands around Colombo, said to be originated from a colony at the Dehiwela zoo. Its food consists of frogs, insects, crabs, worms, etc. It is partially nocturnal and flocks forming V formation can be seen flying to distance feeding grounds at dusk from their day time roosting places.  It breeds during early part of the year colonially with other species of herons, egrets etc on a nest made out of piles of sticks in trees in flooded water.

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

Phaius wallichii

A terrestrial orchid species of sub-montane to montane wet evergreen forests between 915 – 2134 m asl.  Flowering February, April – June and again from September to November. It grows under shade of trees and locally common. 

කරවැල් කොකා[Karawal Koka]/Purple Heron(Ardea purpurea )

Purple Heron is a common resident bird of low country, both dry and wet zones. It feeds on fish, frogs and even insects on marshes, paddy fields, mangroves, lagoons and tanks by day, while most active at dawn and dusk.  Usually feed solitary by skulking among reeds. It breeds from December to February and again in May to June. Three or fours eggs lay in a nest which is just a pile of sticks placed on low trees growing in flooded water, often in company with other herons, egrets and cormorants.

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

Psyche (Leptosia nina)

Psyche is a slow flying common butterfly with island wide distribution throughout the year, though less common above 1500m.  It is usually found fluttering by the low shrub lands of open country and under growth of jungles.  Its larval host plants are Brassica juncea (අබ), Cardamine hirsuta, Nasturtium officinale (කස්තුරු, කක්කු‍ටු පලා, වට‍රැස්ස), Capparis zeylanica, Cleome gynandra, Cleome rutidosperma (Common spider flower), Cleome viscosa (වල් අබ/රන් මානිස්ස/Yellow Spider Flower), Brassica oleracea (Cauliflower, Cabbage & Knol khol are varieties), Cleome aspera, Cadaba fruticosa, Capparis sepiaria, and Crateva adansonii (ලුණුවරණ)

Foggy-winged Twister ( Tholymis tillarga )

Common crepuscular dragonfly of shrub lands, usually close to water bodies such as tanks, lagoons, channels, marshes and streams from lowland plains to lower montane regions.  

රිලවා[Rilawa]/Toque Monkey (Macaca sinica)

This common endemic monkey found in jungles of all over the island. It is represented by three sub species in three major climatic zones.

Dry zone - Macaca sinica sinica

Wet zone - Macaca sinica aurifrons

Highland- Macaca sinica opisthomelas

It lives as family groups of about 20 or more. Each family group has its own territory and much of their time spend on ground or on tree tops of that demarcated area, in searching of food which consists of fruits, berries, insects, flowers, nestlings and eggs of birds, lizards, geckos, young rats and squirrels, etc. Highland sub species is much arboreal than two low land races.  Toque monkey can store amazing amount of foods in their cheek-pouches and masticate them at leisure.  It doesn’t have any particular breeding period and breeds throughout the year.  Normally single young is born and twins can be born occasionally.  Young can cling to its mothers breast fur and easily travels with her wherever she goes. 

නියඳ[Niyanda]/Snake Plant (Dracaena zeylanica [Syn: Sansevieria zeylanica])

Niyanda is a common indigenous herb of dry rocky and sandy places of low country dry zone to mid hills.  Fibers extracted from leaves are used in reed mat industry.  Roots use in indigenous medicine to treat bile and gonorrhea.

Small Salmon Arab (Colotis amata modestus)

Due to salmon-pink color and epi-center of its distribution - which is believed to be of Arabia-, this small butterfly of low country dry zone got that name Small Salmon Arab. It is rather uncommon butterfly of scrublands and open areas. Unlike most other butterflies it often flies during hot hours of the day.  Female of this species sometime has white form instead of usual salmon color.  Larva of Small Salmon Arab feeds on plants of Salvadora persica (මලිත්තන් /Mustard Tree) and Azima tetracantha of Salvadoraceae family. 

නියගලා[Niyagala]/Glory lily/Flame lily(Gloriosa superba)

Common climber in lowland forest boundaries and waste lands. Flowering in throughout the year in wet zone and September to January in other areas.  Powdered plant is used in indigenous medicine but rhizomes are poisonous. 

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Uncommon winter visitor to North-Western and south-eastern coastal areas during migrate season and usually found in flocks during its stay here till end of winter in Northern half of the world.  It breeds in tundras in the far North. Its usual habitats are sandy beaches where it follows the waves as they advance and recede, while picking up small invertebrates exposing to view at each ebb.

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>