A rare migratory bird has been spotted in Sri Lanka recently.
Birdwatcher Moditha Kodikara Arachchi says he spotted the bird one evening in the Attidiya area of Dehiwala, where he lives.
During his daily observations, Kodikara Arachchi saw the silhouette of a large owl across the sky.
The bird circled the sky several times and Kodikara Arachchi managed to take several photos of the bird before it flew towards the shore.
He later identified the bird as a short-eared owl (Asio flammeus sandwichensis), a migratory bird species rarely recorded in Sri Lanka.
He suspects that his photos are the first photographic evidence of a short-eared owl captured in the country.
The short-eared owl has yellow eyes, mottled brown feathers and two distinctive short ears.
The bird is a medium-sized owl that is known to hunt during the day.
It is found in open habitats such as grasslands and wetlands throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
The short-eared owl often migrates south during the winter.
The sighting of this bird from Colombo raises intriguing questions about the bird’s migratory routes and habitat.
Dr. Jagath Gunawardena, a veteran environmental lawyer and birdwatcher, said that the sighting highlights the importance of urban biodiversity and the role that individuals can play in documenting and protecting it.
Dr. Gunawardena highlighted how Colombo has become a haven for various birds amidst urban development.
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