Sri Lanka bird checklist
473 bird species in 90 families have been recorded in Sri Lanka, according to eBird; about 334 of them are seen regularly, and the rest are rarities, vagrants and escaped or introduced birds. Download the full list as a PDF, or tick birds off on your phone, with counts and notes, even without signal.
Species data: eBird.org, updated · How these lists are made
The most common birds in Sri Lanka right now
1Common Myna
2Rock Pigeon
3Blue-tailed Bee-eater
4Rose-ringed Parakeet
5House Crow
6Barn Swallow
7Great Egret
8Whiskered Tern
9Spotted Dove
10Green Imperial-Pigeon
Sri Lanka bird checklist
473 species · loading the checklist tools…
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl
- Fulvous Whistling-Duck
- Lesser Whistling-Duck
- Bar-headed Goose
- Graylag Goose
- Knob-billed Duck
- Ruddy Shelduck
- Muscovy Duck
- Cotton Pygmy-Goose
- Garganey
- Northern Shoveler
- Eurasian Wigeon
- Indian Spot-billed Duck
- Mallard
- Northern Pintail
- Green-winged Teal
- Ferruginous Duck
- Tufted Duck
Guineafowl
- Helmeted Guineafowl
Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies
- Indian Peafowl
- Sri Lanka Spurfowl
- Sri Lanka Junglefowl
- Gray Francolin
- Painted Francolin
- Blue-breasted Quail
- Common Quail
- Rain Quail
- Jungle Bush-Quail
Pigeons and Doves
- Rock Pigeon
- Sri Lanka Wood-Pigeon
- Oriental Turtle-Dove
- Eurasian Collared-Dove
- Red Collared-Dove
- Spotted Dove
- Laughing Dove
- Asian Emerald Dove
- Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon
- Sri Lanka Green-Pigeon
- Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon
- Green Imperial-Pigeon
Cuckoos
- Green-billed Coucal
- Greater Coucal
- Sirkeer Malkoha
- Red-faced Malkoha
- Blue-faced Malkoha
- Chestnut-winged Cuckoo
- Pied Cuckoo
- Asian Koel
- Banded Bay Cuckoo
- Gray-bellied Cuckoo
- Fork-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo
- Common Hawk-Cuckoo
- Lesser Cuckoo
- Indian Cuckoo
- Common Cuckoo
Nightjars and Allies
- Great Eared-Nightjar
- Jungle Nightjar
- Jerdon's Nightjar
- Indian Nightjar
Frogmouths
- Sri Lanka Frogmouth
Swifts
- Brown-backed Needletail
- Indian Swiftlet
- Alpine Swift
- Common Swift
- Pallid Swift
- Blyth's Swift
- Little Swift
- Asian Palm Swift
Treeswifts
- Crested Treeswift
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
- Corn Crake
- Slaty-breasted Rail
- Eurasian Moorhen
- Eurasian Coot
- Allen's Gallinule
- Gray-headed Swamphen
- Watercock
- White-breasted Waterhen
- Slaty-legged Crake
- Ruddy-breasted Crake
- Baillon's Crake
Thick-knees
- Great Thick-knee
- Indian Thick-knee
Stilts and Avocets
- Black-winged Stilt
- Pied Avocet
Oystercatchers
- Eurasian Oystercatcher
Plovers and Lapwings
- Black-bellied Plover
- Pacific Golden-Plover
- Common Ringed Plover
- Little Ringed Plover
- Yellow-wattled Lapwing
- Gray-headed Lapwing
- Red-wattled Lapwing
- Caspian Plover
- Oriental Plover
- Tibetan Sand-Plover
- Greater Sand-Plover
- Kentish Plover
Painted-Snipes
- Greater Painted-Snipe
Jacanas
- Pheasant-tailed Jacana
Sandpipers and Allies
- Eurasian Whimbrel
- Eurasian Curlew
- Bar-tailed Godwit
- Black-tailed Godwit
- Asian Dowitcher
- Jack Snipe
- Eurasian Woodcock
- Swinhoe's Snipe
- Pin-tailed Snipe
- Common Snipe
- Red-necked Phalarope
- Terek Sandpiper
- Common Sandpiper
- Green Sandpiper
- Marsh Sandpiper
- Wood Sandpiper
- Common Redshank
- Spotted Redshank
- Common Greenshank
- Ruddy Turnstone
- Great Knot
- Red Knot
- Ruff
- Broad-billed Sandpiper
- Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
- Curlew Sandpiper
- Temminck's Stint
- Long-toed Stint
- Red-necked Stint
- Spoon-billed Sandpiper
- Sanderling
- Dunlin
- Little Stint
- Pectoral Sandpiper
Buttonquail
- Barred Buttonquail
Crab-Plover
- Crab-Plover
Pratincoles and Coursers
- Indian Courser
- Small Pratincole
- Collared Pratincole
- Black-winged Pratincole
- Oriental Pratincole
Skuas and Jaegers
- Long-tailed Jaeger
- Parasitic Jaeger
- Pomarine Jaeger
- Brown Skua
- South Polar Skua
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers
- Slender-billed Gull
- Black-headed Gull
- Brown-headed Gull
- Pallas's Gull
- Sooty Gull
- Lesser Black-backed Gull
- Blue-billed White-Tern
- Brown Noddy
- Lesser Noddy
- Sooty Tern
- Bridled Tern
- Little Tern
- Saunders's Tern
- Gull-billed Tern
- Caspian Tern
- Whiskered Tern
- Black Tern
- White-winged Tern
- Arctic Tern
- Common Tern
- Black-naped Tern
- Roseate Tern
- Sandwich Tern
- Lesser Crested Tern
- Great Crested Tern
Flamingos
- Greater Flamingo
Grebes
- Little Grebe
Tropicbirds
- White-tailed Tropicbird
- Red-billed Tropicbird
Albatrosses
- Gray-headed Albatross
Southern Storm-Petrels
- Wilson's Storm-Petrel
- Black-bellied Storm-Petrel
Northern Storm-Petrels
- Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel
Shearwaters and Petrels
- Pintado Petrel
- Barau's Petrel
- Bulwer's Petrel
- Jouanin's Petrel
- Tahiti Petrel
- Streaked Shearwater
- Flesh-footed Shearwater
- Wedge-tailed Shearwater
- Sooty Shearwater
- Short-tailed Shearwater
- Tropical Shearwater
- Persian Shearwater
Storks
- Asian Openbill
- Black Stork
- Asian Woolly-necked Stork
- White Stork
- Black-necked Stork
- Lesser Adjutant
- Painted Stork
Frigatebirds
- Lesser Frigatebird
- Great Frigatebird
- Christmas Island Frigatebird
Boobies and Gannets
- Red-footed Booby
- Brown Booby
- Masked Booby
Anhingas
- Oriental Darter
Cormorants and Shags
- Little Cormorant
- Great Cormorant
- Indian Cormorant
Ibises and Spoonbills
- Glossy Ibis
- Black-headed Ibis
- Red-naped Ibis
- Eurasian Spoonbill
Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
- Black Bittern
- Cinnamon Bittern
- Schrenck's Bittern
- Yellow Bittern
- Black-crowned Night Heron
- Malayan Night Heron
- Black Heron
- Little Egret
- Western Reef-Heron
- Little Heron
- Indian Pond-Heron
- Chinese Pond-Heron
- Eastern Cattle-Egret
- Great Egret
- Medium Egret
- Gray Heron
- Purple Heron
- Goliath Heron
Pelicans
- Spot-billed Pelican
Osprey
- Osprey
Hawks, Eagles, and Kites
- Black-winged Kite
- Egyptian Vulture
- Jerdon's Baza
- Black Baza
- European Honey-buzzard
- Oriental Honey-buzzard
- Crested Serpent-Eagle
- Legge's Hawk-Eagle
- Changeable Hawk-Eagle
- Rufous-bellied Eagle
- Black Eagle
- Greater Spotted Eagle
- Booted Eagle
- Crested Goshawk
- Besra
- Shikra
- Chinese Sparrowhawk
- Eurasian Sparrowhawk
- Western Marsh Harrier
- Eastern Marsh Harrier
- Pallid Harrier
- Pied Harrier
- Montagu's Harrier
- Black Kite
- Brahminy Kite
- White-bellied Sea-Eagle
- Gray-headed Fish-Eagle
- Common Buzzard
- Long-legged Buzzard
- Himalayan Buzzard
Barn-Owls
- Eastern Barn Owl
- Sri Lanka Bay-Owl
Owls
- Serendib Scops-Owl
- Indian Scops-Owl
- Oriental Scops-Owl
- Brown Fish-Owl
- Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl
- Jungle Owlet
- Chestnut-backed Owlet
- Brown Wood-Owl
- Short-eared Owl
- Brown Boobook
Trogons
- Malabar Trogon
Hoopoes
- Common Hoopoe
Hornbills
- Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill
- Malabar Pied-Hornbill
Bee-eaters
- Asian Green Bee-eater
- Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
- Blue-tailed Bee-eater
- European Bee-eater
- Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
Kingfishers
- Common Kingfisher
- Blue-eared Kingfisher
- Black-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher
- Stork-billed Kingfisher
- White-throated Kingfisher
- Black-capped Kingfisher
- Pied Kingfisher
Rollers
- European Roller
- Indian Roller
- Dollarbird
Asian Barbets
- Crimson-fronted Barbet
- Coppersmith Barbet
- Brown-headed Barbet
- Yellow-fronted Barbet
Woodpeckers
- Eurasian Wryneck
- Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
- Yellow-crowned Woodpecker
- Crimson-backed Flameback
- White-naped Woodpecker
- Rufous Woodpecker
- Black-rumped Flameback
- Red-backed Flameback
- Lesser Yellownape
- Streak-throated Woodpecker
Falcons and Caracaras
- Eurasian Kestrel
- Amur Falcon
- Eurasian Hobby
- Peregrine Falcon
Old World Parrots
- Alexandrine Parakeet
- Rose-ringed Parakeet
- Plum-headed Parakeet
- Layard's Parakeet
- Sri Lanka Hanging-Parrot
Pittas
- Indian Pitta
Cuckooshrikes
- Small Minivet
- Orange Minivet
- Indian Cuckooshrike
- Black-headed Cuckooshrike
Old World Orioles
- Indian Golden Oriole
- Black-naped Oriole
- Black-hooded Oriole
Woodswallows, Bellmagpies, and Allies
- Ashy Woodswallow
Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies
- Sri Lanka Woodshrike
- Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike
Ioras
- Common Iora
- White-tailed Iora
Fantails
- White-browed Fantail
Drongos
- Black Drongo
- Ashy Drongo
- White-bellied Drongo
- Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
- Sri Lanka Drongo
Monarch Flycatchers
- Black-naped Monarch
- Indian Paradise-Flycatcher
Shrikes
- Red-backed Shrike
- Brown Shrike
- Bay-backed Shrike
- Long-tailed Shrike
- Lesser Gray Shrike
Crows, Jays, and Magpies
- Sri Lanka Blue-Magpie
- House Crow
- Large-billed Crow
Fairy Flycatchers
- Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher
Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice
- Asian Tit
Larks
- Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark
- Jerdon's Bushlark
- Oriental Skylark
- Mongolian Short-toed Lark
Cisticolas and Allies
- Common Tailorbird
- Gray-breasted Prinia
- Jungle Prinia
- Ashy Prinia
- Plain Prinia
- Zitting Cisticola
Reed Warblers and Allies
- Booted Warbler
- Black-browed Reed Warbler
- Blyth's Reed Warbler
- Clamorous Reed Warbler
Grassbirds and Allies
- Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler
- Sri Lanka Bush Warbler
Swallows
- Bank Swallow
- Dusky Crag-Martin
- Hill Swallow
- Barn Swallow
- Wire-tailed Swallow
- Western House-Martin
- Asian House-Martin
- Eastern Red-rumped Swallow
- Sri Lanka Swallow
- Streak-throated Swallow
Bulbuls
- Yellow-browed Bulbul
- Square-tailed Bulbul
- Black-capped Bulbul
- White-browed Bulbul
- Yellow-eared Bulbul
- Red-vented Bulbul
Leaf Warblers
- Dusky Warbler
- Common Chiffchaff
- Green Warbler
- Greenish Warbler
- Large-billed Leaf Warbler
- Western Crowned Warbler
Sylviid Warblers and Allies
- Lesser Whitethroat
Parrotbills
- Yellow-eyed Babbler
White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies
- Sri Lanka White-eye
- Indian White-eye
Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers, and Allies
- Tawny-bellied Babbler
- Dark-fronted Babbler
- Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler
Ground Babblers and Allies
- Brown-capped Babbler
Laughingthrushes and Allies
- Ashy-headed Laughingthrush
- Orange-billed Babbler
- Yellow-billed Babbler
- White-crested Laughingthrush
Nuthatches
- Velvet-fronted Nuthatch
Starlings
- Sri Lanka Myna
- Southern Hill Myna
- European Starling
- Rosy Starling
- Daurian Starling
- White-faced Starling
- Brahminy Starling
- Chestnut-tailed Starling
- Common Myna
Thrushes and Allies
- Sri Lanka Thrush
- Pied Thrush
- Spot-winged Thrush
- Orange-headed Thrush
- Indian Blackbird
- Eyebrowed Thrush
Old World Flycatchers
- Dark-sided Flycatcher
- Asian Brown Flycatcher
- Brown-breasted Flycatcher
- Spotted Flycatcher
- Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin
- Indian Robin
- Oriental Magpie-Robin
- Sri Lanka Shama
- Blue-and-white Flycatcher
- Dull-blue Flycatcher
- Hainan Blue Flycatcher
- Blue-throated Flycatcher
- Tickell's Blue Flycatcher
- Indian Blue Robin
- Sri Lanka Whistling-Thrush
- Yellow-rumped Flycatcher
- Kashmir Flycatcher
- Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush
- Blue Rock-Thrush
- Whinchat
- Siberian Stonechat
- Pied Bushchat
- Northern Wheatear
- Isabelline Wheatear
- Desert Wheatear
- Pied Wheatear
Flowerpeckers
- Thick-billed Flowerpecker
- White-throated Flowerpecker
- Pale-billed Flowerpecker
Sunbirds and Spiderhunters
- Purple-rumped Sunbird
- Purple Sunbird
- Loten's Sunbird
Leafbirds
- Jerdon's Leafbird
- Golden-fronted Leafbird
Weavers and Allies
- Streaked Weaver
- Baya Weaver
Waxbills and Allies
- Indian Silverbill
- Scaly-breasted Munia
- Black-throated Munia
- White-rumped Munia
- Tricolored Munia
Old World Sparrows
- House Sparrow
- Eurasian Tree Sparrow
- Yellow-throated Sparrow
Wagtails and Pipits
- Forest Wagtail
- Gray Wagtail
- Western Yellow Wagtail
- Eastern Yellow Wagtail
- Citrine Wagtail
- White-browed Wagtail
- White Wagtail
- Richard's Pipit
- Paddyfield Pipit
- Blyth's Pipit
- Tawny Pipit
- Tree Pipit
- Red-throated Pipit
Finches, Euphonias, and Allies
- Common Rosefinch
Old World Buntings
- Black-headed Bunting
- Red-headed Bunting
- Gray-necked Bunting
- Ortolan Bunting
Most common birds in Sri Lanka
Ranked by how recently and how widely each was reported to eBird in the 30 days to 2026-10-13, and whether it is one of Sri Lanka’s regular birds. The list follows the seasons: migrants rise in spring and autumn.
- Common MynaAcridotheres tristis
- Rock PigeonColumba livia
- Blue-tailed Bee-eaterMerops philippinus
- Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameri
- House CrowCorvus splendens
- Barn SwallowHirundo rustica
- Great EgretArdea alba
- Whiskered TernChlidonias hybrida
- Spotted DoveSpilopelia chinensis
- Green Imperial-PigeonDucula aenea
- White-rumped MuniaLonchura striata
- Red-vented BulbulPycnonotus cafer
- Black-winged StiltHimantopus himantopus
- Gray HeronArdea cinerea
- Large-billed CrowCorvus macrorhynchos
- Red-wattled LapwingVanellus indicus
- White-throated KingfisherHalcyon smyrnensis
- Little EgretEgretta garzetta
- White-breasted WaterhenAmaurornis phoenicurus
- Asian OpenbillAnastomus oscitans
Largest bird families in Sri Lanka
Among its regular birds.
- Sandpipers and Allies25
- Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers19
- Hawks, Eagles, and Kites14
- Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns12
- Old World Flycatchers12
- Cuckoos12
- Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl12
- Pigeons and Doves11
Reported in the last 30 days
290 species reported to eBird in Sri Lanka in the 30 days to 2026-10-13. The 40 most recently reported:
Brown Boobook, Red-vented Bulbul, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Indian Peafowl, Common Myna, White-throated Kingfisher, White-rumped Munia, Red-backed Flameback, Green Imperial-Pigeon, Purple-rumped Sunbird, House Crow, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Greater Coucal, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Shikra, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Black-hooded Oriole, White-breasted Waterhen, Brown-headed Barbet, Southern Hill Myna, Loten's Sunbird, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Spotted Dove, Yellow-billed Babbler, White-bellied Drongo, Common Tailorbird, Large-billed Crow, Asian Koel, Rock Pigeon, Indian Swiftlet, Red-wattled Lapwing, Brown Shrike, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Sri Lanka Swallow, Layard's Parakeet, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Great Egret, Gray Heron, Asian Woolly-necked Stork, …
Get to know some of them
Red-vented Bulbul
Black-winged Stilt
Gray Heron
Large-billed Crow
Red-wattled Lapwing
White-throated Kingfisher
Little Egret
White-breasted Waterhen
Asian Openbill
Purple Heron
Medium Egret
Indian Peafowl
Common Sandpiper
Asian Koel
Common Redshank