'House Sparrow' - Passer domesticus indicus, Karandana, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

These birds were numerous a few decades ago in the vicinity of houses in Sri Lanka. They disappeared in large numbers a few years back. Now they are makiing a come-back.

'Purple-rumped Sunbird' - Nectarinia zeylanica, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

'Cattle Egret' - Bubulcus ibis, Amithirigala, Sri Lanka.

The bird, its shadow, and its reflection in the still water,  are seen clearly in this photo.

I took these photos close to Amithirigala junction, on the road to Hiswella - Nittambuwa, Sri Lanka. These birds are seen  around free roaming cattle and in paddy fields.

'White-breated Drongo., Chilaw, Sri Lanka.

'White-breasted Drongo'

Birds on a paddy-field, Marambe, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Cattle Egrets, Great Egret and Indian Pond Herons.

'Yellow-billed Babbler' - Turdoides affinis taprobanus, Karandana, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The plumage of a Red-vented Bulbul, Karandana, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Red-vented Bulbul panting on a hot day, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

?'Legge's flower-pecker', ? Juvenile 'Purple-rumped Sunbird, Gampaha, Sri Lanka.

I could noot definitely identify this bird. It could also be a juvenile 'Purple-rumped sun-bird'. Any guesses?

'White-bellied Drongo' - Dicrurus caerulescens, Panduwasnuwara, Sri Lanka.

White-bellied Drongo' - Dicrurus caerulescens, Gampaha, Sri Lanka.

'Spotted dove' - Streptopelia chinensis ceylonensis, Gampaha, Sri Lanka.

Video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_xYUQhmJRk

'Lesser Whistling Duck' - Dendrocygna javanica, Gampaha, Sri Lanka.

In a paddy field at Gampaha, Sri Lanka.

'White-breasted water-hen' - Amaurornis phoenicurus, Gampaha, Sri Lanka.

In a paddy field.

'Little Egret' - Egretta garzetta, Gampaha, Sri Lanka.

In a paddy-field at Gampaha, Sri Lanka.

'Cattle Egret', 'Yellow Bittern', and 'Lap-wing', Gampaha, Sri Lanka.

In a paddy field.

'Black Bittern' - Dupetor flavicollis, Gampaha, Sri Lanka.

I spotted this bird on a paddy field in Gampaha, Sri Lanka.

Greater Coucal - Centropus sinensis, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

This is a very shy bird. It is seen early in the mornings picking up and eating the snails in the garden. It watches the nests of birds and attacks and eats the young birdlings from the nests before they learn to fly.

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus indicus, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

This was one of the commonest birds in Sri Lanka. It would build its nest inside the houses or in receptacles kept on the wall.by the householders. They disappeared for a few years. Now they are coming back.

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

I saw this bird guarding it's nest built into a cavity in a stone wall. It would chase away any predators with its loud cry. I have seen the parents darting and pecking a large iguanascreaming all the while. The iguana which had a taste for birds eggs beat a hasty retreat in the face of the attack.

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Oriental Magpie Robin - Copsychus saularis, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A very commonly sighted bird in these parts. It sings beautifully in the early morning.

Wet 'Black-hooded Oriole', Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnN7VY0nqtE&list=UU1dqepitfAJwrQWLD-gZ3NA&index=3

Juvenile Brown-capped Babbler - Pellorneum fuscocapillum, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.