Friday, January 29, 2016

Pink Skimmer (Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum)


English: Pink Skimmer
Binomial: Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum

It is a widely distributed dragonfly in many Asian countries including Sri Lanka. Few sub species of this dragonfly have been identified and the one found in Sri Lanka is O. p. neglectum. It is more similar to Orthetrum chrysis. But the abdomen of Orthetrum pruinosum is less brighter compared to its relative, Orthetrum chrysis. Above photographed one was observed close to a swampy pond at Hakgala Botanical gardens in April, 2015.

Reference: Dragonflies of Sri Lanka - Matjaž Bedjaniè, Karen Conniff, Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)


English:Purple Heron
Binomial: Ardea purpurea
Sinhala: කරවල් කොකා[Karawal koka]

Purple Heron is a resident breeder in Sri Lanka and has a waste global distribution around the world. In Sri Lanka, it has been distributed in both dry zone and in the wet zone. But common in wet lands of dry zone. Above photosgraph was taken at Yala national park.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Pug-nosed shrub frog (Pseudophilautus silus)


English: Pug-nosed shrub frog
Binomial: Pseudophilautus silus
Sinhala: මුක්කං හොඹු ඇති පඳුරු මැඩියා[Mukkan hombu athi panduru madiya]

Pug-nosed shrub frog is an endemic species of frogs restricted to the central highlands of Sri Lanka. It can be seen in covered forest and also close to human habitats. Latin species name of this frog, 'silus' has the meaning of 'Pug-nosed'. Above photographs were taken at Sripada, Peak wilderness sanctuary and in Welimada where elevation above the sea level is about 1450m and 1100m respectively.

Reference: Lankawe Ubhayajeeven - Rohan Pethiyagoda/Kelum Manamendra-arachchi

Friday, January 15, 2016

Sri Lanka wood pigeon (Columba torringtoniae)


English: Sri Lanka wood pigeon
Binomial: Columba torringtoniae
Sinhala: මයිලගොයා[Manilagoya]

Sri Lanka wood pigeon is an endemic species of birds found mostly in the highlands of Sri Lanka. Horton national park is a common place to observe this bird. Above photo was taken at Knuckles mountain range.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Spotted Bowfinger Gecko (Cyrtodactylus triedrus)

English: Spotted Bowfinger Gecko
Binomial: Geckoella triedrus
Sinhala: පුල්ලි වක් නිය හූනා[Pulli wak niya hoona]

Spotted Bowfinger Gecko is an endemic species of gecko found in lowlands and in the midhills below 700m above the sea level. It is nocturnal. IUCN Red list status is 'Near Threatened'.
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geckoella_triedrus