Science  People  Locations  Timeline
Index: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Home > Indian Roller


Indian Roller
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Coraciidae
Genus: Coracias
Species:benghalensis
Binomial name
Coracias benghalensis
( Linnaeus, 1758)

The Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) is a member of the roller family of birds which breeds in tropical southern Asia from Iraq to Thailand. It is a not migratoryLong-distance land bird migration Many species of land birds migrate very long distances, the most common pattern being for birds to breed in the temperate or arctic northern hemisphere and winter in warmer regions, often in the tropics or the southern he, but undertakes some seasonal movements.

The Indian Roller is a stocky bird, the size of a JackdawThe Jackdaw Corvus monedula is one of the smallest species (34-39 cm in length) in the genus of crows and ravens. Most of the plumage is black or greyish black except for the cheeks, nape and neck which are light grey to greyish silver. The iris is greyis at 30-34cm. It has a warm brown back, lilac breast and face, and blue crown, wings, tail and belly. Sexes are similar, but the juvenile is a drabber version of the adult. The Southeast Asian race C. b. affinis has a green back and purple underparts, and is sometimes classified as a separate species.

Indian Roller is striking in its strong direct flight, with the brilliant blues of the wings contrasting with the brown back.

This is a common bird of warm open country with some trees. These rollers often perch prominently on trees, posts or overhead wires, like giant shrikeLanius ''Eurocephalus ''Corvinella A shrike is a passerine bird of the family Laniidae which is known for its habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, ls, whilst watching for the large insectSubclass Apterygota Symphypleona globular springtails Subclass Archaeognatha (jumping bristletails) Subclass Dicondylia Monura extinct Thysanura (common bristletails) Subclass Pterygota Palaeodictyoptera extinct Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata ( dragonfls, lizards and frogs that they eat. They will follow tractors for disturbed invertebrates, and dash into the smoke of a forest fire on a similar mission. They are fearless and will dive and roll at humans and other intruders.

The display of this bird is a lapwingThe Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus , also known as the Peewit or just Lapwing is a bird in the plover family. It is common through temperate Europe, and across temperate Asia. It is highly migratory over most of its extensive range, wintering further-like display, with the twists and turns that give this species its English name. It nests in a lined hole in a tree or building, and lays about 3-5 eggs.

The call of Indian Roller is a harsh crowSee text The true crows are in the genus Corvus they are large Passerine birds. As a group they show remarkable examples of intelligence; it would not be at all an exaggeration to characterize crows as being to birds what higher primates (including humans-like chack sound.



Read more »

Non User