The Avian Funnel
Bundala National Park is the final destination for many birds using the Central Asian Flyway, a migration route that stretches from the Arctic Ocean to the Indian Ocean. The park's location at the southern tip of Sri Lanka makes it the last possible land-based stop for these long-distance travelers. This unique geography creates an avian bottleneck, concentrating huge numbers of shorebirds into a relatively small area. The park itself is a 3,698-hectare complex of five shallow, brackish lagoons, salt pans, and scrubland, providing an ideal refueling and wintering habitat.
Its ecological value is recognized by three separate international designations. In 1990, it became Sri Lanka's first Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. In 1993, it was upgraded from a sanctuary to a National Park. In 2005, UNESCO designated it a Man and Biosphere Reserve. The park hosts 197 species of birds, 58 of which are migratory. During the peak migration season from September to March, the park can host over 15,000 shorebirds at one time.
Star Migrants and Resident Threats
The most famous visitor is the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), which arrives from the Rann of Kutch in India and can form flocks of over 1,000 individuals. Other numerous migrants include the Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), which travels from breeding grounds in the Siberian Arctic, and the Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus). These birds feed on the abundant invertebrate life in the mudflats.
This critical habitat faces significant threats from invasive alien plant species. A woody shrub, Prosopis juliflora, and a cactus, Opuntia dillenii, have spread across large areas of the park. These non-native plants degrade the open mudflats and scrublands that native wildlife depends on. Prosopis juliflora alone has covered over 8% of the park, while Opuntia dillenii has infested nearly 9%. These plants outcompete native vegetation and make large areas inaccessible to both animals and humans. The park also has 32 mammal species, including the Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus), and two species of crocodile, the Mugger (Crocodylus palustris) and the Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).