rain forest

It had been quite a while since my last trip to Sinharaja, as the heavy and unpredictable rains had kept me away longer than planned. During a brief break in the weather, I finally returned for some birdwatching with a friend and my regular guide, Thilak. Although we spotted a few bird flocks, photographing them was challenging due to low light and the birds’ positions high in the tree canopy.

While following one of the flocks, Thilak spotted a pair of Malabar trogon (Harpactes fasciatus). We followed them along the trail, though, surprisingly, both birds were female—usually, Trogons are found in male-female pairs. The male typically sports bright red plumage, while females display a softer, orange hue. One of the females paused just long enough on a bare tree branch, framed by leaves, giving me a perfect opportunity to capture this beautiful shot.

Yellow-fronted Barbet endemic to Sri Lanka

The yellow-fronted barbet is a small, endemic species in Sri Lanka, found primarily in the wet lowlands of the country. They typically appear in pairs and can be easily identified by their distinctive yellow foreheads. These birds are commonly seen in small forested areas and well-wooded home gardens, where they often visit bird feeders. Their diet mainly consists of wild berries, but when feeding their chicks, they rely on a diverse array of foods, including worms, insects, and wild berries.

Like other barbet species, yellow-fronted barbets nest in holes created in dead trees or dead tree branches. Their usual nesting period is from February to May, during which they lay 2-3 eggs. Both parents are actively involved in nesting duties, from feeding to cleaning, a process that takes about two months.

I recently encountered a nesting pair last March in a home garden near the Kudawa entrance to the Sinharaja Rainforest. By the time I arrived, the eggs had already hatched, and the parents were busy feeding their chicks. From the vantage point of an outdoor kitchen, the nest and perches were clearly visible. This position provided me with enough cover and shelter from the rain, allowing me to observe without disturbing the birds or getting wet during occasional showers. It is very important to not to disturb nesting birds due to many which could lead them abandoning nest as well as other animals destroying nests. It is always recommended to be hidden while observing nests not only from nesting birds but also from other predatory animals.

One of the parents removing waste from nest

Although the light was less than ideal due to the rainy weather, I noticed that feeding activities were more frequent during breaks in the rain. I was fortunate enough to capture some beautiful photos while enjoying a cup of tea with homemade pure jaggery, just before the sun decided to hide completely for the day. This experience was a delightful blend of nature observation and personal enjoyment, made even more special by the charming behavior of the yellow-fronted barbets.

Tag: rain forest

Trogon of Rainforest

Yellow-fronted Barbet near Sinharaja Rain Forest