Raptors

Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus) – This eagle species can often be seen on a branch above the water. It swoops on fish near the surface. It soars rarely. (1,2)

Click on any of the smaller photographs below, to enlarge the image and see the caption.

Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus) - Has spotted some prey. (1,2)

Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus) - Swoops and misses. (1,2)

White-bellied Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) with catch. (1,2)

White-bellied Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) with catch. (1,2)

White-bellied Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) - Hunting over a natural Villu Lake, with a sandy shore, in Wilpattu National Park. (1,2)

White-bellied Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) - Settles on a treetop in Kumana National Park just before sundown. (1,2)

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) - A white head and brown wings and body. Soars and swoops onto prey. Scavenges sometimes and can catch fish near the surface. (1,2)

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) - A white head and brown wings and body. Soars and swoops onto prey. Scavenges sometimes and can catch fish near the surface. (1,2)

A pair of Brahminy Kites (Haliastur indus) - A white head and brown wings and body. Soaring on a thermal.

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) - This kite also perches and watches for prey. Mainly lives in the dry zone near manmade lakes or coastal lagoons. (1,2)

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster) - Found where there is forest. Perches on branches of trees to drop onto prey, usually reptiles and obviously snakes. (1,2)

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster) - Found where there is forest. This one has removed the serpent's head before eating.

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster) - begins to consume a snake.

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster) - Gradually swallowing a snake. (1,2)

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster) - Nearly finished after about 5 minutes. (1,2)

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster) - Finished, and already alert for more prey. (1,2)

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster) Juvenile - Has lighter coloured feathers on the crown of its head. (1,2)

Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus) - waiting for a fish to surface. (1,2)

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster) - This adult is showing the characteristic yellow patch at the base of its bill. (1,2)

Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) Juvenile. (1,2)

Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) Adult - Often seen perching upright on telegraph poles or trees, keeping an eagle eye out for prey to pounce on. (1,2)

A pair of Changeable Hawk Eagles (Spizaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) Adults - They are drying out after rain, but still alert for prey. (1,2)

Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) Juvenile. (1,2)

Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) Juvenile. (1,2)

Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) Adult. (1,2)

Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus) - Sharing a tree with a White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis). (1,2)

Oriental Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) male - This grey-faced male was seen at Kitulgala, Sri Lanka near where The Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed. (1,2)

Oriental Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) female - The female has a browner face than the male. (1,2)

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Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus)

Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus)

Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus)

White-bellied Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

White-bellied Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

White-bellied Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) with catch. (1,2)

White-bellied Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)

Spot-bellied Eagle Owl (Bubo nipalensis blighi)

Spot-bellied Eagle Owl (Bubo nipalensis blighi)

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster)

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster)

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster)

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster)

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster)

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster) Juvenile

Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) Adult

A pair of Changeable Hawk Eagles (Spizaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) Adults

Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) Juvenile. (1,2)

Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) Juvenile. (1,2)

Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis) Juvenile. (1,2)

Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus ceylanensis). (1,2)

Brown Hawk Owl (Ninox scutulata)

Oriental Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) female

Oriental Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) male

Brown Fish Owl (Bubo zeylonensis zeylonensis)

Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus)

Sri Lanka. So much more than you can see in a lifetime.

Bird References
1. Harrison J. A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka, 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2011.
2. Henry G.M. A Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka, 3rd edn. Colombo: Oxford University Press; 1998.