Painted Stork
The Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) is hard to miss with its striking appearance—white body, black and pink wings, bright orange face, and curved yellow bill. These large birds can be found in Sri Lanka’s wetlands, lagoons, and man-made tanks, especially in the dry zones.
They hunt by sweeping their bills through shallow water, relying on touch rather than sight to find their prey. During the breeding season, they gather in large groups and build nests in trees near the water. If you visit places like Bundala National Park early in the morning, you might catch a glimpse of them doing “wing-spreading” displays to regulate their body temperature.
Black-necked Stork
The Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) is a striking bird, standing almost 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall with a wide wingspan. It has contrasting black and white feathers, a shiny iridescent neck, and red legs. The males have dark eyes, while the females have yellow eyes—a rare example of different eye colors between the sexes.
These birds live in marshes and shallow waters, particularly in Sri Lanka’s eastern and northern regions, like Kumana and Wilpattu National Parks. They hunt fish, frogs, and even small turtles, striking quickly with their strong bills. Unlike most storks, they prefer walking around and patrolling their territories rather than soaring in the sky.
Indian Peafowl
The Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) may not be native to Sri Lanka, but it’s become a familiar sight, especially in the country’s cultural landscape. The males (peacocks) are known for their iridescent blue-green trains with "eye" markings that they display during courtship, while the females (peahens) have more subtle brown feathers.
These birds do well in Sri Lanka’s dry zones, especially in Yala National Park, where they’re often seen walking across roads or perched on ancient ruins. Their calls are unmistakable and echo through the forests at dawn and dusk. Besides being visually impressive, peafowl also help control pests, eating venomous snakes and large insects.