Migratory bird of a rare species, presumably sick due to ingested debris, stranded

A migratory bird of a rare species, incapacitated and found on the Hikkaduwa beach, was rescued by a team of wildlife officers and transferred to the Attidiya Bird Sanctuary for treatment.

Hikkaduwa Wildlife Park Warden, Asanga Gunawardene, identified the bird as a Shearwater (Diyawalakaya), which is native to Eastern Africa and the tropical regions west of the Indian Ocean.

“This tropical bird lives in flocks away from human habitats, laying eggs in rock clefts or sand dune pits. After hatching, the nestlings are protected for an extended period until they can fly.

Shearwaters are strong fliers, capable of long-distance travel, but are prone to illness from ingesting polythene or plastic debris floating in the sea,” Gunawardene said.

He noted that the Shearwater found on Hikkaduwa beach was likely incapacitated due to an illness from ingesting such debris and was unable to fly.

This is the first recorded sighting of a Shearwater in the southern region.