List of birds of Sri Lanka
Name Binomial IUCN
Black-bellied plover Pluvialis squatarola Least concern
Pacific golden-plover Pluvialis fulva Least concern
Yellow-wattled lapwing Vanellus malabaricus Least concern
Gray-headed lapwing Vanellus cinereus Least concern ( A )
Red-wattled lapwing Vanellus indicus Least concern
Sociable lapwing Chettusia gregarius Critically endangered ( A )
Lesser sand-plover Charadrius mongolus Least concern
Greater sand-plover Charadrius leschenaultii Least concern
Caspian plover Charadrius asiaticus Least concern ( A )
Kentish plover Charadrius alexandrinus Least concern
Common ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula Least concern
Long-billed plover Charadrius placidus Least concern ( A )
Little ringed plover Charadrius dubius Least concern
Oriental plover Charadrius veredus Least concern ( A )
Plovers and lapwings
Order : Charadriiformes Family : Charadriidae The family Charadriidae includes the plovers , dotterels and lapwings . They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies , short , thick necks and long , usually pointed , wings . They are found in open country worldwide , mostly in habitats near water .
Sri Lanka is a tropical island situated close to the southern tip of India. The bird life of Sri Lanka is very rich for its size and 504 species have been recorded. In addition to the many resident birds, a considerable number of migratory species winter in the country to escape their northern breeding grounds. 34 species are endemic. The other resident species are also found in the nearby Indian mainland, but over 80 have developed distinct Sri Lankan races. Some of these races are very different in their plumage characteristics from the related forms in India. 26 species are globally threatened. Bird distribution in Sri Lanka is largely determined by its climatic zones. The dry zone is largest of the three, covering more than half of the island, with a prolonged dry and hot period and only one monsoon (the north east monsoon from October to January). The wet zone, with two monsoons, is in the south western quarter of the island, where the few remaining rain forests are found and humidity is high. The central hill zone rises to over 2450 m (8-10,000 ft) and has a cool temperate climate. Most of the 26 endemic species are confined to the wet and the hill zones, with only a few extending into the dry zone as well.