Rodillo indio

1. Nombre de ave:
English Name: Indian Roller
Scientific Name: Coracias benghalensis

2. Apariencia:
The Indian Roller is a bird of striking beauty, with a rainbow of colors decorating its plumage. The bird’s back and wings are a blend of beautiful and vibrant shades of blue and turquoise. In contrast, the belly and throat feature an intriguing combination of brownish-purple and mauve tones. A vivid blue band adorns its neck, giving it a majestic bearing. The bird’s eye color is often a sharp, lively brown, with a strong, robust beak known for its distinctive black hue. The feathers are silky to the touch and overall, there are no significant differences in appearance between males and females.

3. Tamaño:
The Indian Roller is a medium-sized bird, averaging about 30-34 cm in length. Its wingspan can reach up to 65-74 cm. In terms of weight, it typically ranges between 78 to 100 grams.

4. Hábitat y distribución:
The Indian Roller is primarily found across the Indian subcontinent, spreading through Sri Lanka to the West Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. It has a wide distribution range and is also found across Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. The Indian Roller inhabits various kinds of habitats like agricultural fields, scrubland, open grasslands, and usually avoids dense forests. It is generally a common sight even around urban and suburban settlements.

5. Datos de interés:
The Indian Roller has immense cultural significance in India and is the state bird of several Indian states including Karnataka, Odisha, and Telangana. Known for its dramatic displays during the breeding season, the Indian Roller engages in acrobatic flights, diving from high altitudes with a loud, bellowing call. Its local name in India, Neelkanth, means ‘blue throat’, borrowed from a deity in the Indian mythology.

6. Dieta:
Indian Rollers are omnivorous birds, their diet primarily consists of various types of insects, spiders, scorpions, small reptiles, and even small snakes. The bird is often observed awaiting its prey on prominent perches.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos:
Indian Rollers are generally seen alone or in pairs. They are known for their acrobatic aerial displays, rolling in mid-air during the breeding season. Their call is a harsh, crow-like ‘chack’ sound, often given in flight.

8. Estado de conservación:
According to the IUCN Red List, the Indian Roller currently falls under the “Least Concern” category. It is regarded as a bird with a stable population trend.

9. Vida útil:
The lifespan of Indian Rollers in the wild is not quite established, but they are known to live for over 15 years in captivity.

10. Notas adicionales:
The Indian Roller extensively contributes as pest control by feeding on harmful insects. Human interaction is quite common as the bird is often seen on urban electric poles, fences, and wires. In fact, during the festival of Dussehra in India, it is considered auspicious to sight this bird. They play an important role in cultural mythology and local folklore, revered for their brilliant colors and dramatic displays.