Birds on the Notes

The Sri Lankan avifauna is given special recognition by featuring on our contemporary currency notes. This is the eleventh series of notes issued in 2010 by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and it is themed “Development, Prosperity and Sri Lankan Dancers”.

5000

Featured on the front side of the highest currency note of Sri Lanka, the Yellow-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus) (ශ්‍රි ලංකා කහ-කැන් කොන්ඩයා) is an endemic beauty that is fairly common in the hills above 1000m in the middle of the country. They are not a shy species.

I had a close encounter with one at Horton Plains, where this beauty was feasting on vibrant red berries. Featured as the centrepiece on my homepage, it remains one of my all-time favourite photographs.

1000

The next spot on the green 1000 rupee note goes to Sri Lankan Hanging Parrot (Loriculus beryllinus / ශ්‍රි ලංකා ගිරාමලිත්තා). Found fairly commonly in the wet lowlands and mid-hills, this small parrot prefers forest and wooded areas.

My first encounter with this beautiful species was truly special. I had the rare opportunity to observe them gorging on ripe, delicious rambutan at my ancestral home in Bulathsinhala. Perched on the roof of the house, I watched in awe as they feasted on the rambutan tree just beside it.

They are fairly common in the outskirts of the Sinharaja rainforest, also.

500

The purple 500-rupee note features another endemic gem, highlighting the special place parrots hold in our culture. The Sri Lankan Emerald-collared Parakeet, more commonly known as Layard’s Parakeet (Psittacula calthropae / ශ්‍රි ලංකා අලු ගිරවා), is a relatively uncommon bird found only in the wet lowlands, mid-hills, and foothill regions of the dry lowlands. Inhabiting forests and wooded areas, they are typically seen in small flocks or pairs.

I was fortunate to photograph a few of them feeding on flowers along the outskirts of the Sinharaja Rainforest. Interestingly, in all my best shots, I seem to have captured only the females, as each one has a distinctive black upper mandible.

100

The orange 100-rupee note, one of the most widely used denominations, is fittingly adorned with the Orange-billed Babbler (Turdoides rufescens / ශ්‍රී ලංකා රතු දෙමලිච්චා). This charming native species is found exclusively in the wet lowlands and adjoining hills. They are highly social birds, moving about in flocks with a constant chorus of lively chatter. They are fairly common in areas such as the Sinharaja Rainforest.

My photographs of this beauty are exclusively from the outskirts of the Sinharaja rainforest.

50

The blue 50-rupee note is graced by the presence of the special Sri Lankan Dull Blue Flycatcher (Eumyias sordida / ශ්‍රී ලංකා නීලන්-මැසිමාරා). This endemic gem is found in the mid-hills and higher elevations, though it remains fairly uncommon. They are usually seen in pairs, although they often spend a considerable amount of time apart. Both sexes appear quite similar, with the female being slightly duller in colouration.

I managed to capture some good photographs of them at Horton Plains National Park, despite the challenging low light conditions of the cloud forest.

20

The final note in the series, the red-pinkish 20-rupee note, features the most recent addition to Sri Lanka’s list of endemic species — the majestic Serendib Scops Owl (Otus thilohoffmanni / පන්ඩුවන් කන්බස්සා). Classified as endangered, this rare and elusive owl is both nocturnal and highly territorial. It inhabits the wet lowlands and mid-hills, favouring dense rainforests and submontane forests. They are usually found in pairs; however, when I encountered one deep within the dense Sinharaja Rainforest, it was alone.

After an exhausting trek through the dense rainforest, my tracker managed to spot this beauty resting during the day. Although the thick forest canopy made it difficult to capture clearer photographs, it was still a truly breathtaking sight.

In conclusion, the birds featured on Sri Lanka’s rupee notes are not only symbols of our rich cultural heritage but also represent the diverse and extraordinary wildlife that calls this island home. From the majestic Serendib Scops Owl on the red-pinkish 20-rupee note to the vibrant parakeets and flycatchers, these creatures remind us of the importance of preserving our natural treasures. Each note, with its intricate design, tells a story of conservation, beauty, and the irreplaceable role these species play in the delicate balance of our ecosystems. As we handle these notes in our daily lives, let’s also take a moment to appreciate the remarkable birds they honour, and the efforts needed to ensure that future generations will continue to admire them in the wild.