Birds Park Hambantota

Last updated on 18 May 2023Show location

The Bird Park at Hambantota, located in the southern part of the island, is remarkable for bird enthusiasts and ornithologists. The park is dedicated to creating awareness and interest in wildlife and the importance of conserving fauna and flora. With a landscape of 35 acres, the park boasts of being Asia's largest Birds Park and Research Centre.

The Bird Park at Hambantota is home to over 180 varieties and around 3200 birds, both endemic and exotic. It offers an opportunity to witness various bird species in their natural habitat. The park provides an ideal setting for bird watchers to observe and study the behavior of different bird species. In addition to being a bird sanctuary, Bird Park also serves as a research center for studying avian life. It offers a unique opportunity for researchers to conduct in-depth studies on various bird species, their behavior, and their habitats. The park's dedication to conservation efforts ensures that visitors can enjoy the birds' beauty while being educated on the importance of conservation. Sri Lanka's location at the southernmost point of the Indian Subcontinent in the Indian Ocean is significant for long-distance migrant shorebirds. The country's Birds Park, located in the southern part of the island, is dedicated to raising awareness about wildlife conservation and preserving flora and fauna. The park spans 35 acres and is home to over 180 endemic and exotic bird species, comprising approximately 3200 birds. The center also assists with breeding endangered bird species in collaboration with foreign bird breeding centers and exchanges rare species with other zoological gardens worldwide. It also offers opportunities for university students and research fellows to conduct studies and research in the field of ornithology, thereby creating academic and professional links with reputable academic and research institutions.

The park plays a significant role in the social and economic development of the area. It directly employs around fifty families and trains local youth as birdwatching guides who can support tourist excursions in Bundala and Kumana sanctuaries. These initiatives, combined with regional development efforts prioritizing nature tourism, help boost regional revenue and improve residents' quality of life. The park is divided into five zones: Wetlands, Wings of Asia, Flightless Birds, Macaw and Cockatoos, and Parrot Paradise. The Wetlands Exhibit at Birds Park is designed to exhibit diverse bird life and create awareness of the significance of wetland ecosystems and the steps that can be taken to preserve them. Wetlands play a critical role in providing clean water to urban areas. They enhance water quality by capturing harmful pollutants in sediment and absorbing excess nutrients. This park section accommodates some of Asia's most unique and endangered birds. You can explore the free-flight aviary and witness one of the most comprehensive collections of Asian birds. The aviary serves as a refuge for the critically endangered and endemic birds of Asia and Sri Lanka. To protect these species, off-exhibit aviaries were created to breed these birds. The park has succeeded in breeding several of these rare birds since the breeding program's inception and through its research program.