Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)

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**Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) – A Detailed Study**

Taxonomy & Classification

Scientific Name: Coracias benghalensis
Common Name: Indian Roller
Family: Coraciidae (Roller family)
Order: Coraciiformes
Genus: Coracias
Species: benghalensis

The Indian Roller is a strikingly colorful bird known for its acrobatic flight displays and bright plumage. It is closely related to other roller species like the European Roller (Coracias garrulus) and Indochinese Roller (Coracias affinis). This species is often associated with cultural and religious significance in India, where it is considered a symbol of good luck.

Morphological Features

Size & Dimensions

Length: 30–35 cm (12–14 inches)
Wingspan: 65–75 cm
Weight: 160–200 grams

Coloration & Plumage

Head, Neck & Chest: Light brown to dull purple with a turquoise throat.
Upperparts: Brownish with vivid blue shoulders and wings.
Underparts: Bluish-green with a mix of turquoise and sky blue.
Tail: Deep blue with a turquoise tip.
Eyes: Dark brown, giving it an intense gaze.
Beak: Strong, slightly curved, blackish in color.
Legs & Feet: Yellowish-grey, adapted for perching.

Distinctive Features

Brilliant blue wings that create a dazzling display during flight.
Powerful, hooked beak, enabling it to catch and crush prey efficiently.
Distinctive rolling flight pattern, giving the bird its name.
Acrobatic aerial displays during courtship or territorial fights.

Habitat & Distribution

General Habitat

The Indian Roller is highly adaptable and found in open landscapes such as:

Grasslands and scrublands
Agricultural fields and farmlands
Mangrove edges and coastal regions
Open woodlands and deciduous forests
Urban areas, roadside trees, and temple courtyards

Global Distribution

This species is widely found across South Asia and parts of the Middle East, including:

Indian Subcontinent: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan
Southeast Asia: Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos
West Asia & Middle East: Iraq, Iran, Oman, UAE, Saudi Arabia

Presence in Sundarban

The Sundarban mangrove ecosystem provides a suitable but less common habitat for the Indian Roller.

Found mainly in fringe areas of Sundarban, where mangroves meet open grasslands.
Prefers riverbanks, drier elevated zones, and clearings where it can perch and hunt.
Occasionally seen perching on wooden poles, dead tree branches, or mangrove edges, scanning for prey.
Less common inside dense mangrove forests, as it prefers more open spaces.

Diet & Feeding Behavior

The Indian Roller is a carnivorous bird with a highly opportunistic diet. It primarily feeds on:

Insects (grasshoppers, beetles, crickets)
Spiders and scorpions
Small reptiles (lizards, skinks, young snakes)
Amphibians (small frogs, tadpoles)
Small rodents and birds (occasionally hunted)

Hunting Techniques

Hunts from perches, swooping down on prey before returning to the perch.
Uses its strong beak to crush hard-bodied insects and small vertebrates.
Sometimes walks on the ground to catch slow-moving prey like beetles or caterpillars.
During breeding season, it performs aerial acrobatics while hunting to impress mates.

Breeding & Nesting

Breeding Season: March to June (pre-monsoon period).
Nesting Sites: Uses tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, or artificial structures.
Nesting Style: Lays eggs in unlined tree holes, relying on natural protection.
Eggs: Typically 3–5 white eggs per clutch.
Incubation Period: Around 17–20 days.
Parental Care: Both parents take turns incubating and feeding the chicks.

Nesting in Sundarban

Prefers higher trees near open landscapes.
Occasionally nests in abandoned cavities of woodpeckers or barbets.
Due to lack of large trees inside dense mangroves, nesting in Sundarban is limited to buffer zones and nearby villages.

Vocalization & Communication

Call: A harsh, rolling “krak-krak” or “grrak” sound, often heard during flight.
Purpose: Used for territorial defense, mating calls, and alarm signals.
Mimics other bird sounds occasionally to attract mates or confuse predators.

Conservation Status & Threats

IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)

The Indian Roller is widespread and not considered threatened. However, certain factors pose risks:

Deforestation and habitat fragmentation affecting nesting sites.
Urbanization and agricultural expansion reducing natural perches.
Decline in insect populations due to pesticide use.
Electrocution from power lines as it frequently perches on electrical poles.

Conservation Efforts in Sundarban

Protected areas in Sundarban Tiger Reserve ensure safe habitats.
Efforts to reduce deforestation help maintain nesting sites.
Ecotourism initiatives promote awareness about conserving native birds.

Cultural Significance in India

Considered a sacred bird in India and associated with Hindu mythology.
The bird is linked to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Saraswati, symbolizing divine blessings.
In some regions, Indian Rollers are released during religious festivals as a good omen.
It is the state bird of Odisha, Karnataka, and Telangana in India.

Ecological Role in Sundarban

Controls insect populations, especially agricultural pests.
Helps maintain balance in small vertebrate populations like lizards and frogs.
Serves as a prey species for raptors, including hawks and eagles.
Acts as an indicator species of a healthy open woodland ecosystem.

Conclusion

The Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) is a magnificent, acrobatic, and ecologically vital bird known for its striking blue plumage and aerial displays. While not commonly found deep within Sundarban, it thrives in buffer zones and open areas where it can perch and hunt. Its presence in India’s cultural and natural heritage makes it a symbolic and ecologically important species.

With continued habitat protection, reduced pesticide use, and conservation awareness, the Indian Roller will continue to flourish in Sundarban and beyond, adding to the rich avian diversity of the region.

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