A Sri Lankan Junglefowl calls out to you.

Sluuuurrrrp! Can’t a bird enjoy a meal in peace? I was savouring some tasty insects hidden in that curled-up leaf, and you almost made me drop them! Lucky for me, my tongue is naturally sticky and barbed, so they didn’t stand a chance of escaping. Speaking of my tongue, it’s quite a unique feature, you know—it’s three times the length of my beak! Insects, larvae, even spiders think they’re safe, hiding deep in tree bark or fallen logs, but no! If I know they’re there, my tongue always finds them. Honestly, without me, this forest would be overrun with insects. I hope you appreciate that! Oh, and I can see the question in your eyes: does my tongue just dangle out when it’s not in use? Please. I have more class than that! It neatly retracts all the way to the back of my skull when I’m not using it.

I bet you heard me before you saw me, didn’t you? That’s the thing with us Crimson-backed Flamebacks—our loud, laughing calls and rhythmic drumming on trees is hard to miss. Now, about that drumming. It’s not just for fun, you know. It’s how I let everyone know this is my turf, how I impress a potential mate, and even how I find my next meal. My strong neck muscles and thick skull mean I can hammer away all day without even a twinge. And my beak? It’s like a built-in chisel, perfect for carving into bark to get at insects or creating the cosiest nesting spots. Oh, and let me tell you about my feet! Zygodactyl, that’s the fancy term. Two toes forward, two back, all designed to help me cling tight to tree trunks while I’m working. Add in my stiff tail feathers for extra support, and I’ve got a setup that’s perfect for scaling vertical surfaces. Pretty neat, huh?

Crimson-backed Flamebacks can be found all over Sri Lanka in habitats with good forest cover. These birds can often be sighted around the Mahoora Tented Safari Camps and sometimes within the peaceful environs of the camp itself. Dilum captured this image inside the camp premises in Yala.