Local parrot species of Sri Lanka

1) Sri Lanka Giramalitta

SN: Loriculus beryllinus (Forster, 1781) EN: Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot

A bird native to Sri Lanka, Gira Malitta is about the size of a sparrow. A common bird in the humid zone and in the covered areas of the mountains up to about 1500 m. It is also found in the lowland dry region surrounding the mountainous region, but rare in the north. This parrot is mainly green in color. Juicy fruits like honey and toadstools that collect in the pots of honeybees. In addition, he also eats small seeds. This short-feathered parrot hangs upside down like a bat on a small branch of a tree. Therefore, these parrots are also called bat parrots. Breeding occurs in the first half of the year. Sometimes eggs are laid again in August to September. Eggs are laid in a hole in a tree trunk or branch.

2) Sri Lankan gray parrot

SN: Psittacula calthropae (Blyth, 1849) EN: Layard's Parakeet

This parrot found in the forests up to 1750 meters in the mountains and in the region surrounding the lowland mountains is endemic to Sri Lanka. Lives in pairs or small herds. A fast flyer. They eat different types of fruits, flowers, buds, nectar etc. It is more ruckus than the Mala parrot and the Worm parrot. Breeding from January to May and often again in July-September, this parrot prefers to lay its eggs in a hollow high up in the trunk of a tall tree.

3) Mala Girawa/ Rana Girawa

SN: Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769) EN: Rose-ringed parakeet

A very common local bird from the low country areas to the height where the hills begin. Often flying in flocks and making very loud noises, parrots mainly feed on fruits, flower buds, plant seeds, etc. Also, it eats the fermented rice pods causing great damage to rice cultivation. From November to June, eggs are laid in a decayed tree trunk and breeding is carried out.

4) Labu parrot

SN: Psittacula eupatria (Linnaeus, 1766) EN: Alexandrine parakeet

It is the largest of the five species of parrot found in this country. It is only a neck-gray crow in size. This bird is characterized by a very large red beak, a curved beak, and the red part of the wing feathers.The male has a black stripe on the lower part of the neck and a broad red stripe on the upper part of the neck. Wanders singly, in pairs and in flocks. There is a sharp and slightly harsh tone. They eat fruits as well as grains. In some cases, it can be seen closing on the ground in search of food.

5) Parakeet

SN: Psittacula cyanocephala (Linnaeus, 1766) EN: Plum-headed Parakeet

Psittacula cyanocephala is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family. The species is native to the Indian subcontinent and was a common name of the flower-headed parrot (P. roseata) before being elevated to a recognized species. Macaws are found in flocks and in pairs, with males having pinkish-purple heads and females with gray heads. There are two subspecies, one named from the Indian subcontinent and one from the Himalayas.