Sri Lanka is home to 26 endemic bird species and seven proposed endemic species. The total number of bird species recorded in the island is 492 of which 219 are breeding residents. Bird Life International recognize Sri Lanka as one of the world’s Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs).

The Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts has issued a set of Stamps depicting Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka in the denominations of Rs. 10/-, Rs. 15/ Rs. 257-and Rs. 35/-.

The birds include, Sri Lanka Black-capped Bulbul (Black crested Bulbul), Sri Lanka Warbler
(Sri Lanka Bush-), Sn Lanka Chestnut-backed Owlet and Sri Lanka Drongo (Sri Lanka Crested Drongo).

The Black-crested Bulbul, Pycnonotus melanicterus, is a member of the bulbul family of
passerine birds. In Sri Lanka, this bird is known as Hisa Kalu Kondaya in Sinhala Language. The Black-crested Bulbul is about 19 cm in length, including its relatively long tail.

The Sri Lanka bush warbler, Ceylon bush warbler or Palliser’s warbler is an Old-World warbler which is an endemic resident breeder in Sri Lanka, where it is the only bush warbler. The chestnut-backed owlet, is an owl which is endemic to Sri Lanka. This species is a part of the
larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most of the smaller owl species. This species was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the jungle owlet.

The Sri Lanka drongo, or Ceylon crested drongo, is a species of bird in the family Dicruridae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka. It was previously considered a subspecies of the greater racket-tailed drongo.

It’s important that we should let people know by stamps or anything that we should save these species for our future generation.

Sathnidu Chansika Dissanayake