Kitulgala forest is secondary lowland rain forest reserve to protect the water shed of the Kelani River . The forest area extending up to the higher elevations, continuous with the Peak wilderness forest area, one of the best places to see Sri Lanka 's endemic birds.
A mid-sized coucal of lowland and mid-hill forest. Black plumage with purplish sheen, dark rufous wings, and pale, greenish bill. Found in the dense undergrowth of humid forest where it is very skulking and difficult to see. Heard more often than seen. Similar to Greater Coucal, but Green-billed Coucal is smaller in size with pale bill. Call a series of deep, double “boop-boop” notes, or a regular, upslurred “ker-chuip” or “chuip” rather like a stone dropping into water.
Small hornbill with gray upperside and whitish underparts. Bill has no casque, and is pale in males, dark in females. In flight displays white outer tail and wingtips. Found in pairs and groups in forest and woodland, preferring drier areas. The only other hornbill in range, the larger Malabar Pied Hornbill, is black-and-white, and has a large casque on its bill. Song is an accelerating “kok-kok-kok” ending in a cackle; call a harsh “waa”.
Partridgelike bird with distinct sexual dimorphism. Males have striking white spots and streaks, red bill, face, and legs. Females are plain reddish-brown, unlike the streaked Sri Lanka Junglefowl female. Found in lowland and hill forests, mainly in the Wet Zone, occasionally in the Dry Zone. Call is a rising “ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-chikew.”
A tiny, short-tailed, bright green parrot with a red bill and rump; males have a scarlet crown. Found in Sri Lanka's forests, it is easily identified by its size and tail. Calls include a metallic “zit-zit-zit” or a drawn-out “zeeet.”
Largish green barbet with blue face, yellow forecrown and mustache, and speckled underparts. Found in forest canopies, mainly in the Wet Zone and locally in the intermediate zone. Distinguished by yellow forehead, blue face, and dappled belly. Song is a repetitive “ke-cheer,” with rolling “pup-pup-pup” calls.
Large, spectacular malkoha of moist lowland and mid-hill forest. Unmistakable with bright red face, yellowish bill, white belly and long, white-tipped tail. Found in the dense canopy of tall trees where it feeds on insects and small vertebrates. Normally found in pairs and often associates with mixed flocks usually led by Orange-billed Babblers. It can be hard to see despite its flashy appearance. Usually silent but does soft clucking and a call like static noise.
A medium-sized, rufous babbler with a gray hood, pale beady eye, buff throat patch, and black bill and legs. Found in small groups low in the understory or on the ground in wet forests, it can join mixed-species flocks. Its gray head, black bill and legs, and buff underside distinguish it from other babblers. It produces a variety of untidy vocalizations, including scratchy notes, whistles, squeals, and metallic calls.
A medium-sized woodpecker with a colorful crest, featuring a bright yellow hindcrest, greenish body, and white-barred chest. Greater Yellownape is larger with an all-gray belly. Found in forested lowlands and foothills, it forages on trunks, branches, and the ground, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks. Its call sounds like a raptor's “pyeeeah.”
Large, striking woodpecker endemic to Sri Lanka, with crimson upperparts, pale scaly underparts, and a crested head. Males have a red crest; females a black crest with white markings. Found in forest understory, mixed flocks, and occasionally in gardens. Distinguished by an ivory bill, lack of a white eyebrow, and an elliptical face marking below the eye. Calls include a high-pitched trill and descending drum, differing from the Red-backed Flameback.
Medium-sized greenish bird with a yellow underside and black head. Found in trees across forests, woodlands, and gardens in lowlands and foothills, often in pairs or small groups. Distinguished by its yellow throat and unmarked black head. Song is a warbling series of rising whistles, with occasional churring calls.
Azure-blue male with a black nape patch and gorget; female has blue on the head, gray-brown wings, and no black markings. Both have black bill feathers and grayish-white underparts. Found in forests from sea level to foothills, it hunts mid-air and joins mixed flocks. Song is a simple "wi-wi-wi," with calls like a harsh "wheh" and explosive "whi-cheh!"
The Sri Lanka Frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger) is a nocturnal bird found in the Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka. Resembling dried leaves, it roosts quietly on branches, often reusing the same spot. Its distinctive call is heard at dawn and dusk, and sexes differ slightly in plumage.
The Sri Lanka White-eye (*Zosterops ceylonensis*) is a small, endemic bird with olive-green upperparts, yellow underparts, and a white eye-ring. Found in montane forests and gardens, it forages in flocks, feeding on insects and nectar, with sweet, high-pitched calls.