Sri Lanka is a tropical island nation located in the Indian Ocean, just southeast of India. Known for its stunning beaches, ancient temples, and diverse wildlife, Sri Lanka is a popular tourist destination. But is it home to colorful parrots?
The quick answer is yes, there are parrots found in Sri Lanka. In fact, there are six species of parrots that are native to the island. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of parrots in Sri Lanka and where they can be found.
Native Parrot Species in Sri Lanka
Here are the six parrot species native to Sri Lanka:
Layard’s Parakeet
Scientific name: Psittacula calthrapae
Sinhala name: Mal Kili
Layard’s Parakeet is a small, slender parakeet that measures around 11 inches long. It has an overall green color with a blue-grey head and throat, red beak, and long green tail feathers. The male has a black and rose-pink collar, while the female has a yellow and green collar.
Layard’s Parakeet is found in forests and woodlands across Sri Lanka up to elevations of 5,000 feet. It feeds on fruit, seeds, buds, and nectar. These parakeets live in flocks and build nests in tree cavities. Their loud, shrieking calls can often be heard as the flocks fly over the forest canopy.
Alexandrine Parakeet
Scientific name: Psittacula eupatria
Sinhala name: Mal Kili
The Alexandrine Parakeet is a large, stocky parakeet reaching lengths up to 24 inches, making it Sri Lanka’s largest parrot species. As its name suggests, it has an overall green coloration with a blue-grey head and red beak. The male has a distinct black and rose collar, while the female has a pale yellow collar.
These parakeets inhabit forests, woodlands, and cultivated areas across Sri Lanka up to around 3,000 feet elevation. They are very adaptable and also live in urban areas. Alexandrine Parakeets are noisy, gregarious birds that feed on fruit, seeds, nuts, and berries in large, chattering flocks.
Rose-Ringed Parakeet
Scientific name: Psittacula krameri
Sinhala name: Konda mal kili
The Rose-Ringed Parakeet is a brightly colored, slender parakeet measuring around 16 inches in length. As the name suggests, it has a distinctive red or black ring around its neck. The male has a bright blue head and neck, while the female has a pale green head and neck. Their bodies are mostly green with a long green tail.
This parakeet inhabits a wide range of habitats including forests, plantations, gardens, and urban areas. It is a common and widespread species found across most of Sri Lanka up to around 5,500 feet elevation. Rose-Ringed Parakeets are highly social and travel in noisy, squawking flocks while feeding on fruit, buds, seeds, and flowers. They nest in tree cavities.
Plum-Headed Parakeet
Scientific name: Psittacula cyanocephala
Sinhala name: Rathmal Kili
As its name hints, the Plum-Headed Parakeet has a striking purple-blue colored head and neck in the males, while the females have a pale blue head. Their bodies are mostly green with some blue edging to the wing feathers.
Plum-Headed Parakeets are found in forests and woodlands from lowlands up to around 5,000 feet elevation. They occur in central and southwestern parts of the island. These parakeets feed on fruit, seeds, and blossoms, either alone or in pairs. They are not as noisy and gregarious as some other parakeet species.
Malabar Parakeet
Scientific name: Psittacula columboides
Sinhala name: Mal Kili
The Malabar Parakeet is a small, stocky parakeet reaching about 14 inches in length. The male is mostly pale green with a greyish-blue head, red beak, and bluish wings and tail. The female has an overall green color.
As the name denotes, this parakeet is native to southwestern India and also occurs in southwestern Sri Lanka. It inhabits drier, more open forests and scrublands. Malabar Parakeets feed on seeds, fruits, and flowers either alone or in small groups. They are not as noisy or gregarious as other parakeet species.
Ceylon Hanging Parrot
Scientific name: Loriculus beryllinus
Sinhala name: Gon Mal Kili
The Ceylon Hanging Parrot is the only representative of the genus Loriculus found in Sri Lanka. It measures just 5-6 inches in length and has vivid green plumage with a red forehead, throat patch, rump, and tail. As the name denotes, it prefers to hang upside down while feeding on fruit and flowers.
This tiny parrot inhabits forests and adjoining gardens mainly in southwestern Sri Lanka up to around 3,500 feet elevation. It occurs in pairs or small family groups and has a quiet, whistling call. The Ceylon Hanging Parrot nests by excavating cavities in tree trunks.
Are Parrots Native to Sri Lanka?
Yes, all six of the parrot species found in Sri Lanka are native to the island. They likely colonized the island naturally over time after becoming isolated from mainland India as sea levels rose following the last ice age.
There are no parrot species found in Sri Lanka that have been introduced in recent history. All six species have adapted over many centuries to the island’s varied forest and woodland habitats.
Where to See Parrots in Sri Lanka
Here are some of the best places to spot wild parrots in Sri Lanka:
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sinharaja, a UNESCO World Heritage rainforest, protects the largest area of undisturbed tropical forest in Sri Lanka. Several parrot species occur within Sinharaja including Layard’s Parakeet, Alexandrine Parakeet, Rose-ringed Parakeet, and Plum-headed Parakeet. The lucky may even encounter the rare Ceylon Hanging Parrot.
Horton Plains National Park
The montane forest and grasslands of Horton Plains host a diversity of parrots at higher elevations. Species to see here include Layard’s and Alexandrine Parakeets, as well as Rose-ringed Parakeets near human settlements just outside the park boundaries.
Knuckles Mountain Range
Exploring the lush forests blanketing the peaks and valleys of the Knuckles Mountains may reward visitors with sightings of parakeets and parrots like Layard’s Parakeet, Plum-headed Parakeet, and Alexandrine Parakeet.
Udawalawe National Park
The scrub forest and woodlands of Udawalawe in southeastern Sri Lanka harbor several parrots like Rose-ringed Parakeet, Alexandrine Parakeet, and Malabar Parakeet. Udawalawe is also a top site for seeing the Ceylon Hanging Parrot.
Botanical Gardens
For easy parrot viewing, head to one of Sri Lanka’s spectacular botanical gardens like the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens near Kandy or Hakgala Botanical Gardens. The abundance of fruit trees attracts hungry parakeets and parrots of various species.
Parrot Conservation in Sri Lanka
Overall Sri Lanka’s parrots remain fairly common, despite some loss of habitat over time. However, a couple species face increased threats:
– The Malabar Parakeet has a very limited distribution in Sri Lanka and relatively small population size, making it vulnerable to extinction on the island.
– The rare Ceylon Hanging Parrot also has a restricted range and is threatened by habitat loss.
Various conservation initiatives are underway to protect forests and educate people about these unique native parrots. Several reserves have been established specifically to safeguard important habitat for the Ceylon Hanging Parrot. Continued habitat conservation will be vital for ensuring Sri Lanka’s parrots thrive for future generations.
Interesting Facts about Sri Lankan Parrots
Beyond their beauty and statuses as endemic species, Sri Lanka’s parrots have some interesting traits and behaviors:
– All six parrot species utilize tree cavities for nesting rather than building nests like many other birds. Competition for nest holes is common.
– Sri Lankan parrots form strong pair bonds. Pairs may stay together for many breeding seasons.
– These parrots have evolved to feed on a diverse array of fruit and nectar from native Sri Lankan flora. This coevolution has helped plants proliferate.
– Roosting flocks of certain parakeet species can number in the thousands of birds. The synchronous flight of huge flocks is an impressive sight.
– Parrots are considered crop pests by some Sri Lankan farmers as they occasionally feed on cultivated fruit. But their roles as seed dispersers outweighs such nuisance feeding.
– In Sri Lankan culture, parrots are often associated with astrology. Certain species are considered auspicious.
– Alexander the Great was said to have brought back parrots from India to Europe after his military campaigns. This may refer to Alexandrine Parakeets from Sri Lanka.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka serves as the island home to a diversity of colorful, tropical parrots. Six parrot species from three genera naturally occur in the country, representing both parakeets and true parrots. While the Rose-ringed Parakeet is widespread and common, a couple rarer species require protected habitat. Nature lovers visiting Sri Lanka will surely appreciate encountering these uniquely adapted and beautiful island birds. With continued conservation, future generations will still be able to experience the sights and sounds of wild Sri Lankan parrots.
