A Brahminy kite perched in a tree in Wasgamuwa National Park

Avifauna

Birds of Wasgamuwa

143 recorded species share the park's forest, grassland and riverine wetlands, from resident endemics to Himalayan migrants.

Recorded Species: 143
Endemic Species: 8
Best Season: Nov – Apr
Habitat: Forest & wetland

Endemic Highlights

Found Only in Sri Lanka

Eight of Wasgamuwa's bird species exist nowhere else on Earth. The most visible is the Sri Lanka junglefowl, the island's national bird — a striking, red-combed relative of the domestic chicken, often seen picking along the park's dirt roads at dawn. The red-faced malkoha and Sri Lankan spurfowl are rarer finds deeper in the forest, and the elusive Sri Lanka frogmouth turns up on the odd night drive.

A pair of Sri Lankan junglefowl, the island's endemic national bird, in Wasgamuwa National Park — Sri Lanka junglefowl (endemic)

A white-rumped shama perched on a branch in Wasgamuwa National Park — White-rumped shama

A white-breasted waterhen wading through a wetland in Wasgamuwa National Park — White-breasted waterhen

A paddyfield pipit perched among leaves in Wasgamuwa National Park — Paddyfield pipit

Raptors & Water Birds

The Mahaweli River and the park's reservoirs draw a steady cast of water birds — painted storks, white-necked storks and black-headed ibis wade the shallows, while Brahminy kites and other raptors patrol the riverine canopy above them, often perched in plain sight on dead branches over the water.

Seasonal Migrants

Between November and April, Wasgamuwa's bird list grows as migrants arrive to escape the northern winter — among them the chestnut-winged cuckoo, which travels here all the way from the Himalayas. It's the best window for birders, layered on top of the park's resident species. See the best time to visit page for a full seasonal breakdown.

Go Deeper

Continue Exploring

See where these species live, and how the seasons shape a Wasgamuwa birding trip.

A sloth bear carries two cubs on her back in Wasgamuwa National Park

OverviewAbout the Park

Size, location, entry points and the rules of a park named for the sloth bear.

A herd of Sri Lankan elephants walking through grassland in Wasgamuwa National Park

ResidentsWildlife

Elephant herds up to 150 strong, sloth bears, leopards and the animals that call Wasgamuwa home.

A still reservoir bordered by forest and grassland in Wasgamuwa National Park

TerrainLandscape

Dry-zone forest, riverine jungle and the Mahaweli River, Sri Lanka's longest, along its border.

An ancient reservoir inside Wasgamuwa National Park, built to irrigate the surrounding dry zone

HeritageHistory

Ancient tanks built by King Parakramabahu I and a battleground from Sri Lanka's early kingdoms.

A herd of spotted deer grazing in Wasgamuwa National Park

PlanningBest Time to Visit

When the herds gather, when the migrants arrive, and how the seasons shape a safari here.

Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bird species are in Wasgamuwa National Park?

143 bird species have been recorded in Wasgamuwa, spanning forest raptors, wetland waders, songbirds and seasonal migrants from as far as the Himalayas.

What endemic birds can you see in Wasgamuwa?

Wasgamuwa holds 8 of Sri Lanka's endemic bird species, including the Sri Lanka junglefowl (the island's national bird), the red-faced malkoha, and the Sri Lankan spurfowl.

When is the best time for birdwatching in Wasgamuwa?

November to April is prime birding season, when migratory species — including the chestnut-winged cuckoo, which arrives from the Himalayas — join the park's resident population around its rivers and wetlands.