Gehan’s pictorial guide to the birds of Sri Lanka launched in UK
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A Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne was launched in August at the British Bird Watching Fair.
Although a number of photographic books and guides to the birds of Sri Lanka have been published, this is the first guide to all 462 species of birds recorded in the country. Written by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne who was also the principal photographer, it uses additional contributions from over 50 photographers from around the world to compile the 850 plus images used in the book. The contribution from overseas photographers was especially needed to illustrate the 100 species of birds which are vagrants to Sri Lanka. Some species have been recorded in Sri Lanka only once.
The field guide’s text is oriented towards identification with the species accounts having distribution maps and where helpful more than one image of the bird to show different plumages where differences arise due to age or sex. This enables beginners and experienced birders to have in one book the key information they need for field use. It also contains introductory information on the key wildlife sites in Sri Lanka and a useful list of specialist wildlife tour operators.
The book launch was preceded by a talk by Gehan in the Author’s Forum.
The book is available on Amazon and other online sites and in high street bookshops in the UK and Sri Lanka. A Vijitha Yapa branded co-published edition is on sale in Sri Lanka for Rs 2,100.