A powerful, secretive owl of mature forest. Its unsettling calls at night are often linked to the “Ulama”, or devil bird, of Sri Lankan folklore.
Species guide
Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl
Bubo nipalensis
Status
Resident
Habitat
Mature forest
When to look
Dusk and night
Field notes
Photography note
Photos on this page are placeholders and will be replaced with the lodge’s own photography. Ask our naturalists about ethical photography of this species.
Keep exploring
More from the species guide
Endemic
Glaucidium castanotum
A small owl that hunts by day as well as by night, often found close to the lodge.
Forest edge and tall trees
Endemic
Otus thilohoffmanni
Only described to science in 2004, this tiny owl is a prize for any visiting birder.
Dense lowland rainforest understorey
Specialty
Batrachostomus moniliger
Perfectly camouflaged pairs roost by day in the undergrowth; guides know where to look.
Dense, shaded thickets
Endemic
Urocissa ornata
The emblem of Sinharaja: noisy family groups that often travel with mixed flocks.
Rainforest canopy and edges