Oh hi, I didn’t see you there! I’m Pavaspotti the Spotted Winged Thrush—yes, the Spotted Winged Thrush, Sri Lanka’s best-kept secret. What? You’ve heard of me? So… not a secret anymore. I’ll keep that in mind. You like my plumage? Why, thank you! It’s just a casual mix of rich chestnut-brown feathers, accentuated by white-tipped wings, and of course, these gorgeous spots. Yes I do look good don’t I? Maybe I should stop hanging out in the cool, shaded parts of the forest and just flaunt my looks in the open… something to think about. But don’t count on it. I like to keep things mysterious—think of me as an introverted rock star of the bird world.

I thrive in dense undergrowth, staying low and out of sight. But also, the undergrowth is like an insect buffet! So many wonderful delicious things to eat! I never go hungry. You know I love singing, but it sure does use up a lot of energy, especially if you sing like I do at dawn and dusk. I’d love to stay and chat, but these forests aren’t going to forage themselves. Just a heads-up though, my habitat’s getting smaller. So if you want to keep hearing my melodious performances, you might want to start looking out for the forests too. Save the trees, save the thrush. You’re welcome.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Kanneliya Forest, and Horton Plains are the preferred habitats of the Spotted Winged Thrush. Dilum spotted this beautiful bird during an evening walk, whilst staying at Explorer by Eco Team in Sinharaja.