Sri Lanka White-eye/Hill White-eye (Zosterops ceylonensis)

Common endemic bird found in forests, wooded areas and home gardens from mid hills to higher hills. It also occurs locally in some lowlands forests such as Sinharaja. It forms large scattered flocks (Except in breeding season, when the bird pair off ) and travel through the tree foliage searching small insects like caterpillars,moths etc. and nectar, sometime in company with other birds. It breeds from March to May and again from August to September. The nest is a cup slung between branches in a low foliage. 

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නෙලු[Nelu] (Strobilanthes calycina)

An endemic shrub locally common in both primary and secondary hill forest areas of Nuwaraeliya district (1850-2600m).

නෙලු[Nelu] (Strobilanthes sexennis)

Restricted to the forests and secondary scrub lands of  Sri Lankan central highlands. There are seven varieties(sub species) occurs in Sri Lanka and all seven are endemic to the island. Strobilanthes sexennis also occurs in Nilgiri hills in South India but with only one variety. Flowering occurs from August to April in every 12 years before dying.

සුදු නෙලු[Sudu Nelu] (Strobilanthes hookeri)

Rather rare and endemic shrub flowering from September to February. Confine to the upper montane zone.

Common Rough-side/දලව මැඩිල්ලා[Dalavamadilla] (Aspidura trachyprocta)

Common Rough-side is a non-venomous, nocturnal and subfossorial snake known from mid hills to higher hills (750 - 2100m a.s.l). It feeds mainly on earth worms and grubs. Common in Horton plains national park.

Glory Bush (Pleroma urvilleanum [Syn: Tibouchina urvilleana])

A large shrub native to the Brazil and introduced as an ornamental plant to the island. Cultivated and Now also naturalized in disturbed areas of the montane zone. Flowering throughout the year. 

වී කුරුල්ලා/පිට සුදු වී කුරුල්ලා/නිතඹ සුදු වී කුරුල්ලා [Wee Kurulla/Pita Sudu Wee Kurulla/Nithaba Sudu Wee Kurulla]/White-rumped Munia [White-backed Munia] (Lonchura striata striata)

Common breeding resident inhabiting gardens, paddy fields, forests, open woodlands, scrub lands and cultivation from lowlands to mid hills. It lives as pairs or as small flocks and feeds on grass and other seeds including paddy. The breeding season mainly last from February to May but possibly all the year round. the nest is an untidy ball of grass blades with the entrance from side place on a tree or foliage.

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මිනී මල්[Mini mal]/Madagascar Periwinkle(Catharanthus roseus)

Very common herb found in waste sandy places and along the sea coast in the low country, both wet and dry zone. Also cultivated in home gardens. It is an endemic plant of Madagascar which was introduced as a garden plant and recorded from Sri lanka since 1804. 

Jungle Prinia [Ceylon Large Prinia/Ceylon Jungle Wren -Warbler]/කළුවන් හම්බු කුරුල්ලා/වන ප්‍රීනියා [Kaluwan Hambu Kurulla/Wana prinia] (Prinia sylvatica vailda)

Rather uncommon breeding resident much abundant in  dry lowlands while locally occurs throughout the low country wet zone up to mid hills, becoming rarer in the higher hills.  It inhabits scrub lands and grasslands in pairs or as small flocks. Jungle Prinia breeds mainly from February to May  building a nest – an untidy ball of grasses and rootlets bounds with cobwebs – low in tussock or a bush.

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ඉපිලිකඩයා/[Ipilikadaya]Redside Barb (Puntius bimaculatus)

A hardy small fish with island wide distribution though abundant in wet zone. It can be found in rivers and streams of lowlands as well as hills (both in wet and dry zone), tanks, swamps, etc. According to the Pethiyagoda R. it is one of the few fishes found in montane streams above 1500 m elevation (Pethiyagoda R. ,1991) It feeds mainly on green algae and detritus. Redside Barb is a prolific breeder and spawn among weeds in shallow water with the onset of rains.

Indian Cormorant/Indian Shag (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis)

Very common breeding resident in dry lowlands. Also occurs in wet lowlands and lower hills but uncommon. It is very gregarious bird and lives as small flocks of its own often  associated with other water birds like Little Cormorants. Marshes, tanks, lagoons, rivers and large channels are its favorite habitats  where it feeds on fish by pursuing them under water.  The breeding season last from October to April. It nest in colonies with other water birds, building a nest - platform of sticks - on trees standing in water.               

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Sri Lanka Woodshrike/Common Woodshrike (Tephrodornis affinis)

Common breeding resident mainly found in dry lowlands and locally in some low country wet zone areas up to the mid hills. Sri Lankan Woodshrike lives in pairs or as small flocks in forests, well wooded gardens and scrublands with scattered trees. It feeds on insects in canopy. The breeding season is from February to June. The nest is a well camouflaged shallow saucer fixed in a fork or on branch of a tree.

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Collared Scops Owl/India Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena)

Common breeding resident distributed throughout the island while becoming uncommon in the higher hills. It inhabits forest and well wooded gardens of villages and towns. Collared Scops Owl lives as pairs and feeds on insects like beetles, grasshoppers and other small animals such as geckos, mouses, shrews, etc. The breeding season is from February to May and it lays 2-3 eggs in a tree hole or a building crevice.

Tricoloured Munia [Black-headed Munia/Chestnut-Backed Munia] (Lonchura malacca)

Common breeding resident mainly found in the grasslands, paddy fields and marshes of dry zone but also occurring locally in other areas of the island. It is abundant in the eastern part of the country. Tricoloured Munia lives mainly as small flocks and feeds on paddy and other grass seeds. The breeding season lasts from March to August and the nest is a ball of grass-blades with entrance hole in the side set in a reed-bed or low bush. 

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Common Silverline (Spindasis vulcanus fusca)

Common butterfly found mainly in low country dry zone. Its larva feeds on Senna auriculata (රණවරා/Matara Tea/Tanner's Cassia)  and  Cardiospermum halicacabum (පෙනෙල-වැල්/Baloon vine)

පරවියා/ගල් පරවියාRock Pigeon[Indian Blue Rock Pigeon]/Parewiya/Gal Parewiya (Columba livia intermedia)

True wild Rock Pigeon is very similar to feral birds with similar plumage with two dark bands on the wings, while other feral birds have varies colors and patterns. Wild birds are very rare and restricted to the some offshore rocky islets from north-east to south. Pigeon Island of off Trincomalee has the largest wild population. It is also occurring rarely in inland dams in reservoirs and similar structures in some large tanks in the dry lowlands. It lives as small flocks.  As per Henry off shore birds visiting the mainland daily for foods, where they feed on waste grains and varies seeds and herbs (Henry G.M., 1998). Wild birds normally perch on rocks cliffs and the like and not on trees.  The breeding season appears to be from February to June and nesting colonially on rock cliffs of the islets. The nest is a pad of sticks and grasses placed on rocks or on a ledge. Domestic birds common in towns and villages breed throughout the year.

Ceylon Silverline (Spindasis ictis ceylanica)

Rather rare 'Silverline' found in low country dry zone. Larval food plant are Acacia eburnea (කුකුල් කටු/ගිනි අන්දර/Cockspur Thorn), Senna auriculata (රණවරා/Matara Tea/Tanner's Cassia) in the field and Senna surattensis (Scrambled-egg-tree) only when offered.

Sand Lizard/Fan-throat Lizard (Sitana ponticeriana)

Sand Lizard is a ground dwelling reptile inhabiting sand dunes and open scrublands in the coastal areas around the island. But it is much common in arid North, Northwestern and southern parts. It feeds mainly on insects such as ants, termites, beetles etc.  It is capable of running on its hind legs with considerable speed with its tail raised. Sand Lizard active mainly during early hours of the day and again in the evening. During heated hours of noon it is less active and stay in shady areas or in natural burrows. 

Note: Sitana species inhabiting dry coastal areas of the southeastern Sri Lanka is now considered as a separate endemic species identified as Sitana bahiri while its northern congener Sitana devakai confine to the drier coastal areas of north and northwestern parts of the island.Therefor this individual lizard photographed at Bundala Nationa Park can be considered as a Sitana bahiri.

බහිර්ගේ තැලි කටුස්සා/Bahir's Fan-Throated Lizard (Sitana bahiri)

Bahir's Fan-Throated Lizard is highly territorial lizard and before combat and prior to mating, male extend and stretch it's throat-fans very quickly. Also swivel its head and open its dark blue color mouth in a threat pose to its male opponents. It feeds on insects such as dragonflies, caterpillars and butterflies as well as tiny crabs.

References:
Amarasinghe, A.A.T., Ineich I., Karunarathna D.M.S.S., Madhava W., Botejue S. & Campbell P.D., 2015 Two new species of the genus Sitana Cuvier, 1829 (Reptilia: Agamidae) from Sri Lanka, including a taxonomic revision of the Indian Sitana species, Zootaxa 3915(1): 67-98

White-browed Fantail/බැම සුදු පවන්පෙන්දා/අවාන්-පෙඳ මැසිමාරා (Rhipidura aureola)

Common breeding resident of dry lowlands while locally common in some wet zone areas up to mid hills. White-browed Fantail is a very active bird with restless dancing movements with fanned tail. It can be found in forests, open wooded areas and home  gardens, usually as solitary birds or in pairs. It feeds on flying insects taking on the wing as all other 'flycatchers'. The breeding season lasts from January to August. Its nest is an open cup made out of fibers  rootlets, etc., plastered with cobwebs and placed on a branch. Nest is often not concealed where it lays 2-3 eggs.

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Strobilanthes hamiltoniana

An introduced small shrub, cultivated as a garden plant in hill country. Native to Southeast Asia

Coral Bush/Coral Plant (Jatropha multifida)

Native herb of Mexico to Brazil. Introduced and cultivated in home gardens, since it is a drought resistant plant with flowers throughout the year.

Black Prince (Rohana parisatis)

Black Prince is a locally common butterfly found in the forests from foothills to higher hills (From 500m-1200m altitude) while scarce in higher hills and lowlands. Its host plant is Celtis timorensis [ගූරැන්ද/බූරැන්ද]. The Black prince displays remarkable sexual dimorphism of male mostly black and female light brown. Also flight of male is swift and female’s is fluttery and weak. 

 

Wandering Wisp (Agriocnemis pygmaea pygmaea)

Wandering wisp is one of the smallest damselflies in Sri Lanka. It is very common in paddy fields, marshes, tanks and streams of both wet and dry zone of the country.

Red Hot Cat tail/Chenille Plant(Acalypha hispida)

An introduced plant native to New Guinea. cultivated as an ornamental plant in home gardens. 

Whistling Lizard/Forest Lizard(Calotes liolepis)

An endemic lizard distributed in South-Western wet lowlands, sub-montane areas and few isolated places of dry lowlands (Such as Nilgala,Ritigala, Monaragala, Yala etc.). It is highly arboreal species and inhabits shaded areas of forests, well wooded home gardens and plantations. Whistling lizard has an unusual habit of uttering a high pitched whistling sound when alarmed. Hence its vernacular name.  It feeds mainly on insects.  

අහිරාවා/වයිරන් අහිරාවා[Ahiraawa/Viran ahiraawa]Common Spiny Loach/Lesser Loach(Lepidocephalichthys thermalis)

Type specimen of Lesser Loach was taken from the hot springs at the Kinniya. Hence the name thermalis. However it is common in most part of the lowlands up to about 600m altitude. It can be found in sandy slow flowing streams and usually the last survive in the fast drying mud puddles in dry zone streams during the dry season. It is a vegetarian though it is believed that it also feeds on mosquito larva (Deraniyagala P.E.P, 1952). 

Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens)

Very common insect inhabiting marshes, paddy fields, tanks etc. from lowlands to mid-hills. It usually emerges as large numbers when they do. Unlike most other dragonflies migratory habit has been observed among Wandering Gliders and high flying groups of them often seen away from water. 

Dark Palm Dart (Telicota bambusae)

Rare insect of mainly wet zone lowlands up to about 1500m. usually found settled on roadside grasses or weeds. Larval host plants are Schizostachyum brachycladum, Bambusa multiplex, Bambusa ventricosa, Bambusa vulgaris, Dendrocalamus giganteus, Bambusa bambos and Ochlandra stridula

Common Banded Awl (Hasora chromus)

Common Banded Awl is a rare butterfly found in forests all over the island but particularly common in the wet zone and hill country while comparatively scarce in the low country dry zone. It active at dawn and dusk though may be even appears day time in dull days. It rests on the underside of the leaves and usually fly short distance when disturbed to settle down again on the under side of another leaf with its wings close over the backs.  As per Ormiston it appears suddenly in great numbers during the north-east monsoon (October- December) and he believed it as a migratory butterfly since in October 1916 he noticed great flights of large Hesperiidae on several evenings just before dark, all going south (Ormiston W., 1924).  Its larval food plants are Pongamia pinnata(මගුල් කරඳ), Derris parviflora and Derris scandens (කල වැල් )

Clipper (Parthenos Sylvia cyaneus)

Clipper is a locally common butterfly in the wet zone forests from sea level up to about 1200m altitude. It has a very strong distinctive flight and usually flies at mid canopy level.  Its only known larval host plant in Sri Lanka is Zanonia indica.

වතු පාලු/ගම් පාලු/ලෝක පාලු/කෙහෙල් පාලු/මහ කිහිඹිය/Vatu-Palu/Kehel-Palu/Gam-Palu/Loka-Palu/Maha-Kihimbiya/Mile-a-minute (Mikania cordata)

An introduced (Native? >>) and very common creeping and climbing herb often growing over and covering other plants and shrubs. It is a weed of forest edges, roadsides, waste lands and secondary forests. Flowering from October to March. Native to tropical Asia, Philippines and New Guinea. 

Ceylon Rose/Sri Lankan Rose (Pachliopta jophon)

Sri Lankan or Ceylon Rose is an uncommon endemic butterfly found in the low country wet zone forest areas. Its larval host plant is Thapasara Bulath[තපසර බුලත්] (Thottea siliquosa).  

කිරි දණ්ඩියා/කුඩමස්සා[Kiri Dandiya/Kudamassa]/Narrow line Rasbora (Rasbora microcephalus)

Common fish species distributed in lowland streams, rivers and paddy fields.  It can be easily distinguish from other Rasbora species by having narrow metallic blue dark lateral strip, which is somewhat hazy anteriorly and diffuse on the caudal fin base. Upper margin of dark lateral strip is distinct and lower margin hazy with slightly darkened scale pockets. Also the post-dorsal length, when carried forward falls anterior to the posterior border of the eye.

Dark Evening Brown (Melanitis phedima)

An uncommon butterfly occurs from lowlands to about 3500ft elevations, particularly in the wet zone.  It flies mainly in the late afternoon and settles in the undergrowth during the day time. Dark Evening Brown is seldom seen out of jungles or well wooded home gardens. It feeds on rotting fruits and usually seen under fruit bearing trees even during the day time.  Larval host plants are grasses [Arundo donax, Cyrtococcum trigonum,  Panicum maximum(ගිනි තණ/Guinea grass),  Setaria barbat] and paddy (Oryza sativa). Its larva also fed on Carpet grass/පොටු තණකොළ (Axonopus compressus), Digitaria didactyla and Ischaemum timorense only when offered in the lab.

ගැරඩියා/කහ ගැරඩියා/Garadiya/Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosa)

Rat snake is the second largest snake in the country with some specimens observed with 3000mm long while many exceed 2400mm in length (de Silva, Anslem & Jinasena Jayantha 2009). It is a widely distributed snake from sea level to higher hills including some off-shore islands in Jaffna peninsula (Somaweera R., 2006) while common in the low country and foot hills.  It is mostly living in anthropogenic habitats like home gardens, plantations and paddy fields since its main food frogs, toads and rats are abundant in such places. Other than that it feeds on lizards, birds, snakes, palm squirrels, bats etc.  Rat snake is active during the day time and it is mainly a terrestrial snake though usually climbs trees and roofs in search of its prey.  It is a non-venomous snake though may bite savagely when cornered. Its usual defense habit is raise its fore body and hissing like a cobra while sometime also produces a deep long groaning sound.  Rat snake ‘dances’ with two snakes raise their heads from the ground and bodies coiled around each other are often observed as shown in above picture too. It was earlier believed that it is a courtship dance of a male and a female but it is a combat dance by the males (de Silva, P.H.D.H, 1980) . Female rat snake lays 5-10 eggs in a termite mound and stays with the eggs coil herself around them.

වයිරන් අහිරාවා/ඉරි අහිරාවා/පොල් අහිරාවා [Wairan Ahirawa/Iri Ahirawa/Pol Ahirawa]/Tiger Loach (Acanthocobitis urophthalmus)

An uncommon fish restricted to the shallow slow flowing shaded streams with pebbles in South-western lowlands up to about 300m elevation.  

Sri Lankan Cerulean/Ceylon Cerulean (Jamides coruscans)

An endemic and rare butterfly found in the low country wet zone forests up to about 500m. Its larval host plant is Gal Karanda[ගල් කරඳ] (Humboldtia laurifolia)

Merrem’s Hump-nosed Pit Viper/පොලොන්තෙලිස්සා/කුණකටුව/ගැට පොලගා[Polon Thelissa/Kunakatuwa/Gata Polaga] (Hypnale hypnale)

Common venomous terrestrial snake found in anthropological habitats and plantations (Especially tea, coconut and rubber plantations) from coastal areas up to about 600m of the central hills. More abundant in the south-western wet zone than in the northern and eastern dry lands. However it appears to be absent in undisturbed forests in Sri Lanka.  It is a nocturnal snake and during the day time rest under stones, logs and among leaf litter sometime with its head keep at an angle of 45 degrees to its body resembling a dry leaf. When  disturbed it flattened its body, forms it into ‘S’ shaped loops, often vibrates the tail and lashed out. Rapid tongue protrusion has been observed too.  It preys on skinks, shrews, geckos, frogs and rodents. Instances of feeding on reptile eggs and snakes are also observed. Merrem’s Hump-nosed Viper is responsible for the highest incidents of snake bites in Sri Lanka (~27%) with occasional fatalities though its venom is considered as moderate.

රත් කයිලයා/දම්කොල සාලයා [Rath Kaiyala/Damkola Saalaya]/Giant Danio (Devario malabaricus)

Very common fish widely distributed throughout the lowlands of both wet and dry zones up to the higher hills. It is common in flowing water though occurs also in tanks, reservoirs and paddy fields.  Giant Danio is a mid-water fish and it forms medium size shoals.  

Episcia reptans

Low-growing herb native to the South America. Introduced as an ornamental plant and cultivated in Sri Lankan home gardens, often in shade.

ගිරාමලිත්තා/Gira Maliththa/Hanging Parrot/Lorikeet (Loriculus beryllinus)

An endemic and locally common bird of forests and well wooded home gardens in wet lowlands to mid hills. Also found in foothill areas of the dry lowlands. Hanging parrot is a strictly arboreal bird and usually encounters as solitary birds or as pairs (Warakagoda D et. al., 2012). However above bird was captured in a feeding flock, travelling through the Acacia plantation of Meethirgala forest reserve with at least 50 companions of the same species. It feeds on fruits, nectar of flowers, seeds and also juice of palms collected in toddy-drawers pots. While feeding it has very restless characteristic behavior of hangs at all sort of angles. It sleeps hanging head downward from a slender, leafy twig. Hanging Parrot breeds in a tree hole from March to June and sometime again from August to September. Female builds the nest with strips nibbled from the edge of green leaves and lays 2-3 white color eggs.  

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ඉපිල් ඉපිල්/Ipil Ipil/ Wild Tamarind/Cofee bush (Leucaena leucocephala)

An introduced shrub or small tree cultivated as green manure, fodder, for afforestation and as cover plants of tea estates. It is native to the tropical America. Since it has the ability of rapidly spreading to adjacent areas and invade all other native flora, Ipil Ipil is now considered as an invasive.

Chocolate Soldier (Junonia iphita pluviatalis)

Common butterfly found in open jungle areas of all elevations of the island all the year round. It takes part in migrations especially in November to December. Chocolate Soldier often settles on damp earth. Its larva feeds on Strobilanthes diandra (නෙළු), Eranthemum capense, Phaulopsis dorsiflora, Ruellia patula, Ruellia prostrata (නිල් පුරුක්), Dyschoriste nagchana and Barleria prionitis (කටු කරඬු/Yellow Hedge Barleria)

Soft khaki weed/Prostrate globe amaranth (Gomphrena celosioides)

A native herb of South America. Introduced to Sri Lanka and now widely distributed along roadsides, rocky places and waste lands. 

Purple Leafblue (Amblypodia anita)

Rather rare butterfly occurring from sea level up to about 300m, particularly in the dry zone. Males settle on wet patches on the roads, or on carrion to absorb minerals. Larva feeds on Olax scandens, Olax imbricata and probably on Olax zeylanica.  

වල් අබ/රන් මානිස්ස/Wal-Aba/Ran-Manissa/Yellow Spider Flower (Cleome viscosa)

An indigenous and very common herb found along roadsides, cultivated grounds and rocky and sandy places. 

Mexican fireweed/Lesser green poinsettia (Euphorbia heterophylla)

An introduced very common weed widely distributed throughout the island along roadsides and waste places. It is a native plant of tropical America.  

Large Cuckooshrike/මහ කොවුල්සැරටිත්තා/මහ කොවුල්ඇස්පටියා[Maha Kovulsaratiththa/Maha Kovulaspatiya] (Coracina macei)

An uncommon breeding resident found in forest areas of lowlands up to mid hills. It is less common in wet zone. Usually a solitary bird though some time occurs as pairs or as small flocks. Large Cuckooshrike is a bird of the canopy and feeds mainly on insects. It's breeding season is from May to June and lays 2 eggs in a shallow cup made out of fine twigs, leaf-stalks, lichens etc. and felted together with cobwebs.

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