Birds ‹‹ Go Back

This is an uncommon winter visitor to the island. It breeds across subarctic Europe and Asia and winters in Southern Europe, the Indian Subcontinent, South-East Asia and Tropical Africa. Its nesting behaviour is quite different from most other waders as it builds its nest on trees.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (IUCN Red List) and it is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

This species has been reported from the coastal areas to the highest hills. It is not common anywhere but usually occupies stagnant pools in wooded areas. In the wet zone I have seen this species at Bellanwila-Attidiya in 1995. In the dry zone I have seen it at Udawalawa, Yala and Wasgomuwa National Parks, at Anawilundawa and at Kilinochchi.

This is not a commonly seen species in Wilpattu. I have seen this species in December and January at Avatara Mottai, Paya Mottai and the waterhole before Pallekandal Pitiya.