Sri Lankan Birdwing (Troides darsius)
The Sri Lankan Birdwing is the National Butterfly of Sri Lanka and one of its most spectacular endemic butterflies. Its large size, striking wing pattern and graceful flight make it one of the country's most recognizable butterflies.
Its forewings are a deep velvet‑black color, while the hindwings are a striking golden‑yellow decorated with black markings. When it flies at a distance, it resembles a small bird, which is how it got its name.
This butterfly species flies swiftly and gracefully at high elevations, usually at the canopy level, far above the ground.
It is commonly seen in Sri Lanka’s wet zone—especially in rainforests such as Sinharaja and Kanneliya—as well as in the hill country. However, when suitable climate conditions and host plants are present, it can occasionally be found in dry‑zone forests and even in urban wetlands in Colombo.
The female lays her eggs only on the leaves of vines such as “Kiri‑anguṇa” (Tylophora pauciflora) and "Sapsanda"' (Aristolochia indica). The caterpillar that emerges feeds on the leaves of these plants as it grows. Because these vines contain specific chemical compounds, both the caterpillar and the adult butterfly become toxic, giving them natural protection from predators such as birds.
Protecting primary rainforest preserves the complex plant communities required by butterflies throughout their life cycle. Forest conservation therefore protects much more than the adult butterfly—it protects its eggs, caterpillars, host plants and the wider ecosystem.
It is commonly seen in Sri Lanka’s wet zone—especially in rainforests such as Sinharaja and Kanneliya—as well as in the hill country. However, when suitable climate conditions and host plants are present, it can occasionally be found in dry‑zone forests and even in urban wetlands in Colombo.
The female lays her eggs only on the leaves of vines such as “Kiri‑anguṇa” (Tylophora pauciflora) and "Sapsanda"' (Aristolochia indica). The caterpillar that emerges feeds on the leaves of these plants as it grows. Because these vines contain specific chemical compounds, both the caterpillar and the adult butterfly become toxic, giving them natural protection from predators such as birds.
Protecting primary rainforest preserves the complex plant communities required by butterflies throughout their life cycle. Forest conservation therefore protects much more than the adult butterfly—it protects its eggs, caterpillars, host plants and the wider ecosystem.
