Indian roller

The Indian roller is a bird of the family Coraciidae. It is 30–34 cm (12–13 in) long with a wingspan of 65–74 cm (26–29 in) and weighs 166–176 g (5.9–6.2 oz). The face and throat are pinkish, the head and back are brown, with blue on the rump and contrasting light and dark blue on the wings and tail. The bright blue markings on the wing are prominent in flight. The sexes are similar in appearance. Two subspecies are recognised.

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Distribution

Region

South Asia and West Asia

Typical Environment

Occurs widely across the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, and parts of Iran, Iraq, and the Arabian Peninsula. Prefers open country, farmlands, dry scrub, and lightly wooded areas, and is frequent along roadsides and village edges. Avoids dense forests and high montane zones. Often benefits from human-altered habitats, including fields and urban green spaces.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size30–34 cm

Wing Span65–74 cm

Male Weight0.17 kg

Female Weight0.17 kg

Life Expectancy9 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Famous for its acrobatic rolling display flights during the breeding season, which give the species its name. Often seen perched on wires and exposed branches, sallying out to catch large insects and small vertebrates. It is common in agricultural landscapes and is the state bird of several Indian states.

Gallery

The closely related Indochinese roller (C. affinis) was considered a subspecies of the Indian roller.

Indian roller in flight showing the intense purple-blue and pale blue bands on wings and tail.

Scan of Indian roller feathers: a primary, two outer secondaries and two tail feathers

Indian roller sunning

Indian rollers nest in hollows or crevices in buildings.

Indian roller eating a grasshopper

Painting by Sheikh Zainuddin, from the Impey Album, c. 1780.

Behaviour

Temperament

bold and territorial

Flight Pattern

strong flier with agile rolling displays

Social Behavior

Typically seen singly or in pairs perched conspicuously. Pairs nest in tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, or building crevices; both sexes help defend the nest vigorously. During courtship, males perform dramatic swoops and rolls.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocalizations are harsh and grating, often a repeated chack-chack or krek call. Calls intensify during display flights and territorial interactions.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Indian scimitar babbler

The Indian scimitar babbler is an Old World babbler. It is found in peninsular India in a range of forest habitats. They are most often detected by their distinctive calls, which include an antiphonal duet by a pair of birds. They are often hard to see as they forage through dense vegetation. The long, curved yellow, scimitar-shaped bills give them their name. It has been treated in the past as a subspecies of the white-browed scimitar babbler which is found along the Himalayas but now separated into two species, the peninsular Indian species and the Sri Lanka scimitar babbler.

Indian silverbill

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Indian skimmer

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Indian spot-billed duck

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Indian spotted creeper

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