Bird Art: High fliers on canvas
If you would reap the purest pleasures of Youth,
Manhood, and Old Age - "Go to the Birds."
Frank M. Chapman
FLIGHTS OF FANCY: Birds have fascinated mankind for thousands of
years, mainly because they could do one thing man could not: Fly.
Hundreds have died through the centuries trying to imitate their flight.
Even after man himself mastered the art and craft of flying, his love
affair with the birds has not ended. It continues to flourish, as we
discover new things about these gorgeous creatures almost every day.
Bird lovers (ornithologists) the world over derive much satisfaction by
studying them through binoculars and listening to their beautiful songs.
Gordon Poulier is one such dedicated bird lover. He has combined his
passion for birds with his other lifelong hobby - painting. Poulier, the
first ornithologist in Sri Lanka to put "Bird Sounds" on a LP Record way
back in 1978, so delicately draws the intricate details of birds that
some of his drawings are indeed better than a photograph.
Being a printer by profession has helped his cause. "Initially I did
it as a hobby, but relatives, friends and colleagues wanted copies of my
paintings. So I printed them and now there is a demand for my work from
nature lovers," he says. Now retired, he runs a small printing press at
his home in Sirigal Avenue, Kohuwela. It is a veritable treasure trove
of bird paraphernalia, books, drawings et al.
He wants more people to admire birds, noting that Sri Lanka is one of
the best places in the world to see a variety of both endemic and
migrant birds.
 One does not even have to travel far from home to see birds - open
your window in the early morning and one can hear them chirping happily.
A birdbath or feeding station is all you need to attract birds to the
garden and of course, small birds will converge on flowers for their
juicy nectar.
His latest creation, depicted here, is a fabric wall hanging
featuring some of Sri Lanka's endemic birds. Try to look out for them
when you travel around Sri Lanka.
Ceylon Jungle Fowl - Sinhalese, Wali-Kukula
A little smaller to our domesticated fowl. Could be seen and heard
throughout the island. Although commonly seen in the open, will never
venture far from jungle cover.
Feeds on insects and droppings from trees. Very fond of scratching
droppings from animals, looking for food. Its call is easily imitated by
humans by clapping of hands and thus lured to within sight. The Jungle
fowl is also Sri Lanka's National Bird.
Red Faced Malkoha - Sinhalese, Mal Kohna
About the size of the Common House Crow. A very handsome bird and can
easily be identified. They are only
 found in jungles of the Wet Zone,
Hills and a few in the Dry Zone as well. Generally seen single or in
pairs. Occasionally could be seen in small flocks.
A very shy bird. Due to its short rounded wings they generally hop
from branch to branch. Usually feeds on berries from the trees. Normal
breeding season is in the first half of the year.
Ceylon Blue Magpie - Sinhalese, Kehibella
Size between the common House Crow and Common Mynah. A shy and easily
scared bird and can be seen in the Wet Zone forests. Usually in pairs or
flocks of five or six birds.
Although they are shy birds could be very noisy when found in flocks.
Nesting is usually during the months of January to March. A very
colourful bird and cannot be mistaken. Feeds mainly on small lizards,
beetles, tree frogs and caterpillars.
Ceylon Woodpigeon - Sinhalese, Mailagoya
Nesting is generally twice a year, February to May and again August
to October. Size of a normal Pigeon. Lays only a single egg. Perhaps
this is why they are so few and seldom seen. Generally a forest dweller.
It feeds on fruits and berries.
 A beautiful bird and its neck is like a Chess Board. Both sexes are
alike. They can be seen generally in the Hill Country, Kandy and Matale
districts. They have been also seen in the Sinharaja forest.
Green Billed Coucal - Sinhalese, Bata Atikukula
Nesting is generally during the months of January to May. It is a
little smaller to the common Coucal seen in our home gardens. They can
be identified by their big light green beaks. Found only in forests.
They can be heard but seldom seen.
They frequent the Bamboo bushes. The best time to see them is early
morning, as they search for food. They seldom move away from the jungle
cover, feeding on snails, frogs and other insects.
Ceylon Grey Hornbill - Sinhalese, Alu Kandetta
The size of a crow, but having a long bill and a long tail. Nesting
is generally in the middle of the year. Its nest is a cavity in a hole
of a large tree. Once the female lays its eggs, she is imprisoned and
the entrance is cemented leaving only a small vertical opening for her
Mate to bring her food, several times a day and feeding her through this
slit.
She goes through this imprisonment for the sake of her offspring.
Once the young are born and the Mothers wing feathers and tail feathers
are grown again she breaks the cemented entrance to join the male in
bringing food for the young.
They are normally seen in pairs although during the fruit season big
flocks could be observed. Their flight is generally an up and down
wavelike motion.
Ceylon Rufous Babbler - Sinhalese, Rathu Demalichcha
Very smaller to the other Babblers but its Rufous coloration, bright
Orange beak and legs make it different. Seen in large flocks feeding
together and a very noisy lot.
They usually feed on insects but they also feed on berries. They
prefer to be in dense damp areas in the jungle. Wherever a flock of
these Babblers are seen, one can be sure to see one or two squirrels too
in the crowd.
Ceylon Small Barbet - Sinhalese, Mal Kottoruwa
Generally perched on the top of a tall tree making its vocal music
turning its head from side to side. A vegetarian feeding on fruits of
the Banyan Tree and other wild fruits. It is seen both in the Wet and
Dry Zones.
A small and very colourful bird of brilliant red, yellow and bluish
green with red legs. Seen throughout the island in the open. They are
also referred to as the 'Coppersmith.' |
