The Sri Lanka Junglefowl is a beautiful bird that is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is a medium-sized bird that belongs to the family Phasianidae. The male Sri Lanka Junglefowl has a prominent, long, and bright-red colored comb on the top of its head, while its feathers are richly colored with an intricate pattern of brown and black with metallic-green and purplish hues. The female, on the other hand, is smaller and has duller feathers of brown and black.
The Sri Lanka Junglefowl are diurnal birds and can be found in forests, shrubberies, and home gardens in Sri Lanka, where they are regarded as a national bird. They are mainly terrestrial, but occasionally climbed onto low vegetation to perch or to seek shelter. Their diet is omnivorous, including fruits, seeds, insects, and small vertebrates like lizards, rodents, and snakes. They are also known to be opportunistic feeders and will frequent cultivated areas, including rice fields, to forage for seeds and insects.
The Sri Lanka Junglefowl is known for its beautiful plumage, which is often displayed during the mating season. The male will erect his long, bright red comb, spread his tail, and strut around the female, producing a variety of calls and giving a deep-throated crowing call that echoes throughout the forest. Sri Lanka Junglefowl nests in hollows or under bushes. The female lays about 5 to 7 eggs, which hatch after 18 to 21 days. The chicks are precocial and begin to walk and forage soon after hatching.
This bird is facing threats from habitat loss and hunting. The Sri Lanka Junglefowl is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its large population. However, its population is declining in some areas due to habitat destruction, and subspecies R. p. leggei is considered vulnerable due to larger-scale habitat destruction, pesticide use, and hunting pressure.
In conclusion, the Sri Lankan Junglefowl is a beautiful and vibrant bird that holds great national significance. It is deeply woven into Sri Lanka's culture and folklore and is an iconic symbol of the island nation. The Sri Lanka Junglefowl's future is dependent on the conservation of its habitat, and it's up to humans to strive to maintain its existence and protect this avian treasure for future generations.