Common Iora

Breeding adult males are black above and rich yellow below with white wingbars. In nonbreeding plumage the upperparts are greenish-yellow, but the wings are still black with white wingbars. The female is similar in appearance to a nonbreeding male. These birds are quite vocal and can produce a wide variety of calls. The most commonly heard is the whistle “twiii tuiii twiiii.” Apart from this, it utters variable “chirrs” and chattering. The song is a trilled “wheeeee-tee.” Common Iora are frequently seen in wooded areas, scrub, and cultivated lands.

The Common Iora in Sri Lanka lives in gardens, scrublands, and forest edges. It is most common in the dry zone of the country.

The common iora (Aegithina tiphia) in Sri Lanka eats insects, including caterpillars, larvae, and eggs.