The Oriental dollarbird is a bird of the roller family, so named because of the distinctive pale blue or white, coin-shaped spots on its wings. It can be found from Australia to Korea, Japan and India.
Region
East and Southeast Asia to Australasia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Indian Subcontinent and southern China through Southeast Asia to Indonesia, New Guinea, and northern to eastern Australia. Breeds in parts of East Asia and migrates south in the non-breeding season. Prefers open woodlands, forest edges, riversides, and agricultural mosaics with scattered tall trees. Frequently uses human-altered landscapes where suitable perches are available. Avoids dense closed-canopy forests and treeless deserts.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Named for the pale blue, coin-like spots on its wings that are most visible in flight, the Oriental dollarbird belongs to the roller family. It often hunts from exposed perches such as dead branches or powerlines, sallying out to snatch large flying insects. During courtship, it performs dramatic rolling display flights, which is a hallmark of rollers. It migrates seasonally across Asia to Australasia, tracking warm-weather insect swarms.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong flier with agile sallies and rolling display flights
Social Behavior
Often perches alone or in pairs on exposed snags or wires, making short forays to catch prey. Forms monogamous pairs during breeding, nesting in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes. Both parents typically participate in incubation and feeding of chicks.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Calls are loud, harsh, and grating, often rendered as repeated ‘rak-rak’ or ‘kak-kak’ notes. Vocalizations increase during display flights and territorial interactions.
Plumage
Glossy dark greenish-blue body with a darker head and contrasting pale blue patches on the wings that form round 'dollar' spots in flight. Throat and breast often show bluish tones; flight feathers are darker with bright pale-blue panels. Tail is squared with a slightly paler base.
Diet
Primarily takes large flying insects such as beetles, cicadas, grasshoppers, and dragonflies. It launches from a perch to snatch prey in mid-air, often returning to the same perch. May occasionally take small ground-dwelling insects or other arthropods.
Preferred Environment
Hunts along woodland edges, over clearings, river corridors, and open farmland with scattered trees. Frequently uses high exposed perches to scan for passing insects.
