Asian common toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus)

English: Asian common toad
Binomial Name: Duttaphrynus melanostictus/Bufo melanostictus
Sinhala: ගෙයි ගෙම්බා [Gei gemba]

Considered as the commonest frog of Sri Lanka. It can be seen close to human habitats and difficult to find in the wild. This species has been widely distributed in other Asian countries and it is categorized as "Least Concern" in IUCN Red List. It has prominent, kidney-shaped parotoid glands that secrete toxins which used to deter predators.

Clipper (Parthenos sylvia)

English: Clipper
Binomial Name: Parthenos sylvia

Clipper is a butterfly found in dense forests of Sri Lanka and difficult to find close to human habitats. It is common in wet zone compared to dry zone. This butterfly settles rarely on the ground. Most of the time it can be seen flying high up in the trees. Many sub species of this butterfly have been identified in some other Asian countries. The sub species found in Sri Lanka is P. s. cyaneus.

Robiquetia virescens

Binomial Name: Robiquetia virescens

Robiquetia virescens is a wild orchid found in Sri Lankan montane and sub-montane zone forests. Apart from Sri Lanka this species has been recorded in southern India. Above photographs were taken in December.

Eurasian Black bird (Turdus merula kinnisii)

English: Eurasian Black bird/Indian blackbird
Binomial: Turdus merula kinnisii
Sinhala:කළු බිම්සැරියා[Kalu Bimsariya]

Widely distributed bird around the world including Indian subcontinent and Europe. Few sub species of this bird has been identified. Sub sp. T. m. kinnisii is endemic to Sri Lanka and restricted to montane zone where the elevation above the sea level is greater than 1000m. This bird can be identified by bright orange colored beak, legs and eye rings.

Christmas Orchid (Calanthe triplicata)

Binomial Name: Calanthe triplicata
English: Christmas Orchid

Calanthe triplicata is a wild orchid found in montane zone of Sri Lanka. Mostly can be seen in shaded places of Sri Lankan highlands. Above photographs were taken in December. It is a widely distributed species of orchid in many regions of the world including other Asian countries, Australia and Pacific Islands.

Sri Lanka rock frog (Nannophrys ceylonensis)

English: Sri Lanka rock frog
Binomial Name: Nannophrys ceylonensis
Sinhala: ලංකා ගල්පර දිය මැඩියා / ලංකා ගල්පර මැඩියා[Lanka galpara diya madiya / Lanka galpara madiya]

Nannophrys ceylonensis is an endemic species of frogs found in wet zone lowlands and montane zone upto 1200 meters above the sea level. This frog is aquatic and lives on moist rock surfaces. In IUCN Red List, this frog is listed as vulnerable. Main threads are habitat loss due to reducing volume of water on rock surfaces and agrochemicals.

Coelogyne odoratissima

Binomial Name: Coelogyne odoratissima

C. odoratissima is a species of wild orchid found in montane and submontane zones of Sri Lanka. Common in Horton plains national park. It has white colored fragrant flowers. Above flowers were photographed in December on mossy stems of trees. Apart from Sri Lanka, This orchid can be seen in South India.

Common Gull (Cepora nerissa)

English Name: Common Gull
Binomial Name: Cepora nerissa
 
Common Gull is a species of butterfly distributed across Asian countries including Sri Lanka. Common in dry zone of Sri Lanka. Its food plants belong to Capparaceae family.