Udawalawe National Park and Yala National Park in the southern part of Sri Lanka are bird and animal paradises.
In Udawalawe National Park in the southern part of Sri Lanka, where we saw lots of elephants (see previous blog article), we also spot a dinosaur-like land monitor, colourful bee-eaters and lots of showy peacocks.
Whether from the front (first photo below) or the behind (second photo below), the peacock is a masterpiece of Mother Nature. Her creative talents have really excelled here.
Although we seem to see peacocks here, there and everywhere on our travels through Sri Lanka, we never tire of watching them strut and pose, showing off their beauty to passing peahens. Sometimes they strut and pose even when there is no peahen in sight. I wonder if they are thinking of the 1990s song “I’m too sexy” by the British pop band Right Said Fred and if they just enjoy parading their fancy dress for their own sakes.
The following shows a peacock who has been lucky enough to attract the attention of a peahen. Or is she bored to death with his wagging red behind?
When you have previously only seen these magnificent birds in manicured manor parks, it seems so odd to see them in a wild setting, pecking at wild plants, perching in trees, or flying. That the males can even fly at all with their long tail streaming behind them I find pretty amazing.
I won’t bore you with the names of all the birds we see in Udawalawe National Park, but just mention that we spot 22 different species, including Brahminy kite, emerald dove and the beautiful Indian roller with its intense blue and purple colours.
The next destination on our itinerary is Yala National Park. Driving around in jeeps along the muddy and uneven roads is pretty interesting. Sometimes I wonder if we will make it through, but our drivers are undaunted.
On the first day in Yala, we see 17 different bird species and on the second day in the park we see 12 different species, including the endemic crested hawk eagle and painted stork (seen from the front and back).
Before leaving the park at sunset we also enjoy the other wildlife in Yala National Park, including wild boar (photo below), wild buffalo, elephants, mongoose, and spotted deer. The jewel in the crown is our sighting of the rare and elusive endemic Sri Lankan sloth bear.
