Indian Roller

Overview

The Indian roller (Coracias benghalensis) is a medium-sized bird of the family Coraciidae, native to the Indian subcontinent and western Asia. It is a common, often territorial bird that has adapted well to human-modified landscapes.

Identification

• A bulky, broad-winged bird measuring 30–34 cm in length with a large head, short neck, and short legs.
• Plumage features pinkish buff on the forehead and chin, a dull wine-red throat with cream streaks, and a dull turquoise crown and nape.
• The back and rump are bright turquoise, while the flight feathers exhibit vibrant purple-blue with pale blue bands that stand out in flight.
• Possesses a short, brown-tinged bill, yellow-brown legs, and dull orange bare skin around the eyes.

Habitat

The species is distributed from Iraq and the United Arab Emirates through the Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka. It favours open woodland, scrub forests, and human-modified environments such as parks, gardens, and agricultural plantations, where it is often found perched on wires or trees near the ground.

Diet

Primarily feeds on insects, particularly beetles and grasshoppers, by descending to the ground from perches to glean or capture prey. It also consumes amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals, and is attracted to swarms of winged termites or insects drawn to lights and wildfires.

Did you know?

The bird is known for performing spectacular aerobatic displays during the breeding season, including steep undulating flights, somersaults, and rolling in the air.