Indian Roller Essay

The Indian Roller is a stocky bird about 26–27 cm long and can only be confused within its range with the migratory European Roller. The breast is brownish and not blue as in the European Roller. The crown and vent are blue. The primaries are deep purplish blue with a band of pale blue. The tail is sky blue with a terminal band of Prussian blue and the central feathers are dull green. The neck and throat are purplish lilac with white shaft streaks. The bare patch around the eye is ochre in colour. The three forward toes are united at the base.[2] Rollers have a long and compressed bill with a curved upper edge and a hooked tip. The nostril is long and exposed and there are long rictal bristles at the base of the bill.[3][4] Three subspecies are usually recognized. The nominate form is found from West Asia (Iraq, Arabia) toBangladesh and north of the Vindhyas mountain ranges. The subspecies indicus is found in peninsularIndia and Sri Lanka. The southern form has a darker reddish collar on the hind neck which is missing in the nominate form. The race affinis of northeastern India and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Yunnan,Indochina) is sometimes considered a full species, but within the Indian region, it is seen to intergradewith benghalensis. The form affinis is darker, larger and has a purplish brown and unstreaked face and breast.[2] It has underwing coverts in a deeper shade of blue.[3][5] main Physical appearance : Indian Roller is also called Blue Jay. It is 13 inch long and is striking blue in colour. Indian Roller weighs around 80 -100 g. It’s eyes and bill are black. It has a large head and short neck. Its crown, lower wings and tail are blue green in colour. The throat and upper breast are purple in colour. The back and abdomen are gray in colour. Males and females are similar in appearance. Presence in India : Indian Roller is found in the foot hills of the Himalayas, Southern India and Western India. It can also be spotted in the Corbett National Park, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajaji National Park, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagarhole National Park and Kanha National Park in India. Species : The other two species of Indian Roller include European Roller (Coracias garrulus), and Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis) Habitat : Indian Roller prefers open ground, cultivated fields, local parks and cities at lower elevation. Diet : Indian Roller is omnivorous. It mainly feeds on frogs. It also favours lizards, acorns, grasshoppers, crickets, Butterflies and moths. Reproduction : Incubation takes 18 – 20 days. It lays 4- 5 eggs in the month of March or April. . Males perform ornate sexual displays during the mating season. The eggs are white in colour. It lay eggs in hole in the trees. The Young are fledged between 17 -20 days. Both the males and females take care of the young ones. Conservation status : Indian Roller is considered as sacred among the Hindus. It has been given the status of State Bird of Karnataka in India. They are sometimes haunted for sports and food. Lifespan : The longevity of Indian Roller exceeds up to 17 years of age.