Endemic to New Zealand. Usually seen in long-term pairs or family groups around wetlands, pasture, and open water.
Paradise Shelduck
Pair
Latin: Tadorna variegata
Country: New Zealand
Date: 2012
Place: Lake Ellesmere, South Island
A large Shelduck with strong pair bonds. Males have a dark head, while females show the distinctive white head.
White-faced Heron
Australasian heron
Latin: Egretta novaehollandiae
Country: New Zealand
Date: 2010
Place: Christchurch, South Island
A common australasian Heron of wetlands, pasture edges, and open water. It often hunts alone and is frequently seen standing quietly near ponds, rivers, and grass margins.
Painted Stork
Wetland stork
Latin: Mycteria leucocephala
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2024
Place: Wilpattu Park
A large wetland Stork of shallow water, usually making local movements rather than long-distance migration. Often feeds by sweeping its bill through the water.
Little Egret
White wader
Latin: Egretta garzetta
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2025
Place: Kalutara
A slim white Egret of wetlands, lagoons, and shorelines. Many populations are resident, while others are migratory depending on region.
Grey Heron
Solitary hunter
Latin: Ardea cinerea
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2025
Place: Colombo
A large solitary hunter of marshes and shallow water. It waits or stalks slowly before striking fish, frogs, and other prey.
Grey Heron
Classic wetland pose
Latin: Ardea cinerea
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2025
Place: Yala Park
One of the classic large herons of Eurasia. Calm posture and patient hunting make it one of the most photogenic wetland species.
Black-headed Ibis
Marsh feeder
Latin: Threskiornis melanocephalus
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2025
Place: Yala Park
A large Ibis of marshes, flooded fields, and wet grassland. It is mainly resident, with local movements depending on water levels and feeding conditions.
Lesser Adjutant
Rare wetland stork
Latin: Leptoptilos javanicus
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2025
Place: Yala Park
A globally Vulnerable large stork of wetlands and floodplains. This is one of the rare standout species in our current water-bird collection.
Asian Openbill
Open-billed stork
Latin: Anastomus oscitans
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2025
Place: Yala Park
A resident stork that can show strong local dispersal. Its distinctive bill gap makes it one of the easiest wetland storks to recognize.
Great Thick-knee
Large shorebird
Latin: Esacus recurvirostris
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2025
Place: Yala Park
A large shorebird of riverbanks, mud edges, and exposed ground. It is mainly resident and often active in quieter light or evening conditions.
Black-winged Stilt
Long-legged wader
Latin: Himantopus himantopus
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2025
Place: Yala Park
A slim wader with extremely long pink legs. A graceful species of shallow wetlands, lagoons, and flooded flats.
Woolly-necked Stork
Beautiful stork
Latin: Ciconia episcopus
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2026
Place: Tissamaharama
A striking black-and-white stork with a white neck and strong contrast in flight or on the ground. In Asia it is now generally treated as Near Threatened.
Woolly-necked Stork
Two in one shot
Latin: Ciconia episcopus
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2026
Place: Tissamaharama
Small groups or pairs often make stronger storytelling than crowded flock scenes.
Intermediate Egret
Elegant wetland Egret
Latin: Ardea intermedia
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2026
Place: Tissamaharama
Intermediate in size between the larger Great Egret type and smaller white Egrets. A clean, elegant wetland species with a more compact structure.
Black-necked Stork
Iconic wetland giant
Latin: Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2026
Place: Yala Park
!This is the largest bird in Sri Lanka, about 150 cm tall, and very rare. Only about 5 breeding pairs exist in Sri Lanka. The total population across Asia is around 5000 individuals.
One of the most impressive wetland birds in Asia. The Asian subspecies is likely Threatened, and the species is one of the major highlights of this page.
Indian Pond Heron
Field camouflage hunter
Latin: Ardeola grayii
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2026
Place: Tissamaharama
A familiar small Heron of paddy fields, marshes, canals, and shallow water. It often stays well hidden in vegetation, with the neck stretched upright while watching for prey.
Purple Swamphen
Wetland forager
Latin: Porphyrio porphyrio
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2025
Place: Colombo
A striking wetland bird often seen walking over floating vegetation. Known for its long toes, it feeds on aquatic plants, shoots, and small animals.
Indian Pond Heron
Hunting among lily pads
Latin: Ardeola grayii
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2025
Place: Colombo
An Indian Pond Heron searching for prey among floating lily pads. Its streaked neck and brown upperparts provide excellent camouflage when standing motionless near the water.
Kentish Plover
Small shorebirds resting by the water
Latin: Charadrius alexandrinus
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2025
Place: Kalutara
A group of Kentish Plovers resting beside shallow water. These small shorebirds forage along muddy shores and sandy flats, searching for tiny invertebrates.
Indian Pond Heron
Juvenile perched in riverside vegetation
Latin: Ardeola grayii
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2025
Place: Colombo
A juvenile Indian Pond Heron perched among dense riverside vegetation. Its streaked neck, brownish upperparts, and upright hunting posture help it blend into marshes, canals, paddy fields, and lakeside vegetation.
Muscovy Duck
Resting beneath a tree
Latin: Cairina moschata domesticus
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2026
Place: Colombo
A domestic Muscovy duck resting in the shade. Easily recognized by its distinctive red facial caruncles and glossy black-and-white plumage. Originally domesticated from the wild Muscovy duck of Central and South America, it is now common around ponds and villages worldwide.
Domestic Pekin Duck
White domestic duck
Latin: Anas platyrhynchos domesticus
Country: Sri Lanka
Date: 2026
Place: Colombo
A white domestic Pekin duck standing on the ground. Descended from the Mallard, this is one of the most widespread domestic duck breeds and is commonly kept on farms, gardens, and village ponds throughout the world.
