Birds ‹‹ Go Back

The European and west Asian race F. t. tinnunculus is a common migrant that can be seen throughout the island during the migrant season.

The very small breeding resident population found in the country belongs to the race F.t.objugartus and inhabits the eastern part of the main mountain massif. The males of this resident race have dark grey heads and they are heavily marked with rufous thighs.  This race is also found in western Nilgiris and Western Ghats in India.

The conservation status of the resident race F.t.objugartus is regarded as Endangered (National Red List 2012).

This is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

During the migrant season birds of the European and west Asian race can be seen through out the country. I have seen them in the Horton Plains and at all the dry zone national parks. In the north these birds are seen in the Jaffna peninsula and the Mannar Island. In February 2012 I recorded this species in the islands of Delft, Analathivu and Eluwathivu off Jaffna.

This is not a commonly seen species in the main villu areas of Wilpattu.  I have seen them at Kudiramale point and Kollan kanatta area. However many birds can be seen on the concrete electricity posts from Mollikulam to Silavaturei and beyond to Mannar through Arippu.