Bird · GBIF taxon 2475379
Indian Roller
Coracias benghalensisAlso known as Neelkanth, Southern Roller
Indian rollers display striking sapphire and sky-blue plumage on their wings and tails in flight, contrasting with their muted brownish backs while perched. Renowned for acrobatic courtship displays, males perform thrilling aerial dives, tumbles, and loops accompanied by harsh, grating calls. They frequent open agricultural fields and roadside perches across South Asia, swooping down to capture large insects and small reptiles on the ground.
Acrobatic FlightColorfulInsectivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Beetles
- Grasshoppers
- Small Lizards
Predators
- Raptors
- Snakes
- Domestic Cats
ThreatsPesticide accumulation reducing insect prey, habitat loss, collisions with vehicles
HabitatsOpen cultivated fields, scrublands, thin tropical forests, parks, and roadside perches
Life span8–12 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCoraciidae
- SpeciesCoracias benghalensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognized by a pinkish throat, brownish back, and brilliant electric-blue wing patches revealed in flight.
- Support conservation
- Keep distance from perches and active nesting cavities to avoid causing flush stress.
Responsible observation
- Perch Spotting: Look along fence posts and roadside cables in open countryside where individuals hunt.
- Flight Viewing: Watch for sudden downward swoops to see the brilliant flash of electric blue wings.
- Nesting Etiquette: Avoid disturbing tree hollows and wall cavities during the springtime breeding season.
Ecological Neighbor (c) Шальнов Кирилл, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative 
Close Relative (c) Tony Eales, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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