Sunday, December 20, 2015

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Bird life of Sri Lanka

A much needed holiday - 

Please click on the web-link below:-

http://anynews.lk/s/9d7q 

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri, Home garden, Honiton Place, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.


This was a rare appearance in our home garden, to feed on the ripe plantain left on the bird feeder

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Indian Pitta - Pitta brachyura, Doctors quarters, BH, Avissawella, Sri Lanka, Dr. Eranga Perera.


This photo was taken by Dr. Eranga Perera, Consultant Surgeon, Base Hospital, Avissawella. The bird was in the back-garden of his quarters. The cry of this bird resembles like saying 'maatch kiyang'. The villagers in Sri Lanka have a story as follows:-
The 'Avichchiya' as the bird is called in Sinhalese, was the most beautiful bird in creation. The Pea-cock was literally naked and ugly. The Pea-cock wanted to go for a party of the birds and borrowed the beautiful feathers of the' Avichcha', who was  rather shy and avoided parties.The Pea-cock never returned the feathers. The now rather naked  'Avichchiya' is in hiding, but keeps shouting 'maath kiyang' meaning in Sinhalese, 'I will take you before the judges'.
It is a rather beautiful bird but very shy. We are alerted to its presence by its call early in the morning, when it raids the kitchen refuse, in the back garden.