Sri Lanka Spurfowl
Galloperdix bicalcarata
Partridgelike bird. Male unmistakable, with conspicuous white spots and streaks covering body. Also note the bright red bill, facial skin, and legs. Female plain reddish-brown, lacking the white markings of the male. Female told from larger female Sri Lanka Junglefowl by the spurfowl’s uniform coloration with complete absence of any prominent bars or streaking. Terrestrial forest bird that occurs in pairs, within the lowlands and hills predominantly in the Wet Zone, but also very locally in the Dry Zone. Rollicking call includes a rising, piping “ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-chikew…”.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Galloperdix bicalcarata
- Authority
- (Forster, JR, 1781)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Galloperdix
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Sombre Nightjar
Caprimulgus fraenatus
A medium-sized typical nightjar with a golden-buff collar. Both sexes have small pale marks in the outer wings and at the corners of the tail. These are larger and whiter on males, and smaller and more buffy in females. Generally local and uncommon in savanna and grassland habitats, often in rocky areas. Similar to Nubian Nightjar, but darker overall, with less rufous in the wings. Also similar to many other nightjars, and best identified by voice. Call is a high-pitched, mechanical trill, similar to that of Plain Nightjar, but slightly lower-pitched.
Gray-throated Leaftosser
Sclerurus albigularis
Shy forest denizen, found on the ground. Rummages through leaf litter on the forest floor. Fairly small and plump, with a slightly decurved bill and short tail. Body is warm rufous-brown, which contrasts with the gray throat. Sexes alike. Difficult to see; more often heard: listen for a short series of ascending squeaky whistles, sometimes followed by a more rapid chatter.
Black-capped Tanager
Stilpnia heinei
Small, active tanager with notably different male and female plumages. Male is steely blue overall with slightly darker wings. Look for sea-green throat and cheek, streaked upper breast, and contrasting black cap and nape. Female is mostly lime green with pale bluish head and breast; she has just a ghosting of the male’s black cap. Usually found in pairs, often following a mixed-species flock in the canopy. An Andean species, found in subtropical forest, edges, and gardens. Visits fruit feeders.
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