Birding at Makini: A Feathered Symphony in the Wild

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On the second day of our Ranger Training Bootcamp, Makini Bush Camp turned into a living classroom for avian enthusiasts. From 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, our ranger team - armed with binoculars, field guides, and sheer curiosity - embarked on a two-hour bird count within the camp vicinity. The results were nothing short of spectacular.

In just 120 minutes, we recorded 66 different bird species, including notable rarities such as the Rufous Woodpecker, a seldom-seen species known for its rich chestnut tones and secretive behavior. The bird count wasn’t just an exercise in documentation—it was a celebration of Makini’s extraordinary biodiversity and the thriving ecosystem we are proud to preserve.

A Checklist That Comes to Life

Guests at Makini often describe their stay as immersive and soulful, and birding is no exception. We provide all guests with a customized bird checklist, curated by our rangers, to help identify and record the avifauna they encounter. Whether you're a seasoned birder or a curious beginner, there’s something magical about spotting a bird, flipping through your checklist, and ticking it off with a sense of achievement.

Birding at Makini isn’t about chasing trophies. It’s about observation, connection, and conservation. Each bird you spot tells a story of seasonal migration, native habitat health, and the quiet resilience of nature.

Why Bird Diversity Matters

High avian diversity is one of the strongest indicators of a well-preserved habitat. Birds are sensitive to changes in the environment - when they flourish, it's a sign the ecosystem is in balance. At Makini, we take pride in maintaining a sanctuary where both guests and wildlife coexist in harmony.


Birds Spotted on 16th May 2025

Here’s the full list of the 66 species observed during our bird count:

  1. Alexandrine Parakeet

  2. Ashy Prinia

  3. Asian Green Bee-eater

  4. Asian Koel

  5. Asian Openbill

  6. Barred Buttonquail

  7. Black-headed Cuckooshrike

  8. Black-hooded Oriole

  9. Brahminy Kite

  10. Brown-headed Barbet

  11. Cattle Egret

  12. Common Iora

  13. Common Myna

  14. Common Tailorbird

  15. Coppersmith Barbet

  16. Crested Treeswift

  17. Greater Coucal

  18. Great Cormorant

  19. Gray Heron

  20. Gray-breasted Prinia

  21. Green Imperial-Pigeon

  22. Indian Cormorant

  23. Indian Paradise-Flycatcher

  24. Indian Peafowl

  25. Indian Pond-Heron

  26. Indian Robin

  27. Indian Swiftlet

  28. Indian White-eye

  29. Jerdon's Bushlark

  30. Lesser Whistling-Duck

  31. Little Cormorant

  32. Little Egret

  33. Little Swift

  34. Loten's Sunbird

  35. Malabar Pied-Hornbill

  36. Oriental Darter

  37. Orange-breasted Pigeon

  38. Pallid Harrier

  39. Paddyfield Pipit

  40. Pheasant-tailed Jacana

  41. Plain Prinia

  42. Plum-headed Parakeet

  43. Purple-rumped Sunbird

  44. Purple Sunbird

  45. Red-vented Bulbul

  46. Red-wattled Lapwing

  47. Ring-necked Parakeet

  48. Rufous Woodpecker

  49. Small Minivet

  50. Spotted Dove

  51. Spot-billed Pelican

  52. Sri Lanka Green-Pigeon

  53. Sri Lanka Hanging-Parrot

  54. Sri Lanka Junglefowl

  55. Sri Lanka Shama

  56. Sri Lanka Swallow

  57. Stork-billed Kingfisher

  58. White-browed Bulbul

  59. White-browed Fantail

  60. White-rumped Munia

  61. White-throated Kingfisher

  62. White-bellied Sea-Eagle

  63. Whiskered Tern

  64. Yellow-crowned Woodpecker

  65. Yellow-eyed Babbler

  66. Zitting Cisticola



Come Spot With Us

If you’re looking to go beyond the ordinary and immerse yourself in a real birding experience, Makini Bush Camp offers the perfect backdrop. Our rangers are passionate educators, eager to help you interpret the signs of nature—from the flutter of a sunbird to the haunting call of a nightjar.

Bring your curiosity. We'll provide the checklist.

Location: Makini Bush Camp, Yala, Kataragama, Sri Lanka

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