Indian Roller

Coracias Benghalensis

Order:

Coraciiformes

Family:

Coraciidae

Size:

30 to 32 centimeters

Weight:

20 to 150 grams

Taxonomy:

Carl Linnaeus 1758

Short Description:

Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis), locally known as the "Neelkanth" or "Hariyal," is a striking bird species found across Pakistan. Renowned for its vibrant plumage featuring shades of blue, turquoise, and chestnut, the Indian Roller is easily recognizable in flight or perched on tree branches. It is known for its aerobatic displays during courtship and territorial defense, which often involve impressive rolling and twisting maneuvers.

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Indian Roller is widely distributed throughout Pakistan, occupying a range of habitats including open woodlands, agricultural areas, scrublands, and grasslands. It is commonly sighted across various provinces, including Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as in the Islamabad Capital Territory and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

Indian Rollers are primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, and crickets. They are often observed perched on prominent vantage points, such as utility wires or treetops, from where they scan the surroundings for prey. Their feeding behavior includes aerial sallies to capture insects in mid-air or pouncing on prey from a perch.