Siyoth- latest issue

Latest issue of the “Siyoth- the journal of Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka” is out. It contains many articles related to Sri Lankan birds, trip reports, photo essays and observations. This 64 page magazine with plentiful color photographs of Sri Lankan birds is a must-read for Sri Lankan nature lovers.

Here are some of the articles published in the latest issue.

·         Return of the Comb duck to Sri Lanka
·         First sight record of the European Roller from Sri Lanka
·         Second sight record of Yellow-rumped Flycatcher from Sri Lanka
·         A possible mass-migration of sea birds, sharks and whales during the summer monsoon
·         Birds on the brink of extinction: Global and the sri Lankan scenarios
·         Rehabilitation and reintroduction of injured birds to the wild
·         A descriptive ethogram for the behaviour of black robin
·         Differential ‘crack’ calls in Sri Lanka Magpie

Contact FOGSL office to order your copy.

Birds of Wilpattu National Park

Download the checklist.

Launch of the new bird guide: An Illustrated Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka

Public interest in the birds of Sri Lanka appears to be growing exponentially with time. In 1994, based on a set of 32 plates and numerous line drawings by Prithiviraj Fernando, Sarath Kotagama published the first truly affordable field guide to the island's birds. In the 16 years that have passed since Kotagama & Fernando's work, much has changed in Sri Lankan Ornithology. Taxonomic research has shown that the number of endemic species is in fact much higher than previously thought, and the increasing affordability of digital photography has served to make new sightings more easily verifiable. This new knowledge is, up to end 2009, reflected in the new book authored by Prof. Sarath Kotagama and illustrated by world famous wildlife artist Gamini Ratnavira.

The new field guide “An Illustrated Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka” will be launched on 5th, April 2010 at the New Biology Lecture Theater, University of Colombo, Colombo 03. Launching ceremony will begin at 05.00 pm. The new book will be available for a concessionary rate at the event.

Book Description
382 pages, 492 species descriptions
52 Colour Plates, 492 Colour Distribution Maps
Size : 138 x215 mm 382 pp
ISBN 978-955-8576-26-7

Published by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka

All are welcome for this important event.

‘Revised Avifaunal List of Sri Lanka’

Download pdf version of the “Revised avifaunal List of Sri Lanka” by C.D. Kaluthota and Prof. S.W. Kotagama at the web site of the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka.

Last taxonomic list of birds was published in 2006 as a part of National effort to document the fauna of Sri Lanka. However, due to recent advancement in researches in the region, taxonomy of birds undergone several changes.

Since, FOGSL now adopts the standards devised by BirdLife international on the avian taxonomy, it was necessary to revise the Avifaunal list. “Revised Avifaunal List of Sri Lanka” discusses the taxonomic changes in family level as well as species level, those relevant to Sri Lanka. It also provides complete list of birds recorded from Sri Lanka including new additions in recent years.

Download

Download books and articles on Sri Lankan Birds

Books published by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka are now available to download free of charge at the FOGSL website. Visit ‘Download’ section of the web site http://www.fogsl.net/ to download publications as pdf files. Following publications are available at the moment.

“Common, Endemic and Threatened Birds in Sri Lanka”
This book describes almost all common birds together with endemic and threatened birds recorded in the island. It was authored by well-known ornithologist Prof. Sarath Kotagama. This book is available to buy at FOGSL office and all leading bookshops.

“Birds of Sinharaja”
This book describes the all birds recorded, at the Sinharaja National Heritage Wilderness Area which has one of the highest Avifaunal diversities. It was authored by well-known ornithologist Prof. Sarath Kotagama. This book is available to buy at FOGSL office and all leading bookshops.

“Birds of Sri Lanka: A Tally List”
This list is based on the recent taxonomic revision of Sri Lankan avifauna done by FOGSL researchers. This booklet is prepared to use in the field. FOGSL hopes this will speed up your recording ability in the field and will help you to upload data into the ‘Sri Lanka Birds’. This will be available to buy at FOGSL office soon.

“Siyoth – Journal of the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka”
All articles published in Siyoth Volume 2, Number 1 and 2 are available to download. ‘Siyoth’ is available to buy at FOGSL office and all leading bookshops. Contact FOGSL office to buy past issues of ‘Siyoth’.

Will be online soon.
“Bird Flocks of Sinharaja”
The “Mixed species Feeding Flocks” of Sinharaja National Heritage Wilderness Area is the worlds’ most extensively researched flock since 1981. The study has enabled the publication of numerous research papers and the doctoral thesis of Dr. Eben Goodale. It has thus brought fame to Sinharaja in terms of avifaunal studies. This book is a field guide to identify birds in the mixed species feeding flocks. It was authored by well-known ornithologist Prof. Sarath Kotagama and Dr. Eben Goodale. This book is available to buy at FOGSL office and all leading bookshops. This will be added to download section soon.