The Indian roller is a bird of the family Coraciidae. It is 30–34 cm (12–13 in) long with a wingspan of 65–74 cm (26–29 in) and weighs 166–176 g (5.9–6.2 oz). The face and throat are pinkish, the head and back are brown, with blue on the rump and contrasting light and dark blue on the wings and tail. The bright blue markings on the wing are prominent in flight. The sexes are similar in appearance. Two subspecies are recognised.
Indian roller
The closely related Indochinese roller (C. affinis) was considered a subspecies of the Indian roller.
Indian roller in flight showing the intense purple-blue and pale blue bands on wings and tail.
Scan of Indian roller feathers: a primary, two outer secondaries and two tail feathers
Coraciidae is a family of Old World birds, which are known as rollers because of the aerial acrobatics some of these birds perform during courtship or territorial flights. Rollers resemble crows in size and build, and share the colourful appearance of kingfishers and bee-eaters, blues and pinkish or cinnamon browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but not the outer one.
Coraciidae
Image: European Roller (Coracias garrulus) (16475688389)
Image: Broad billed Roller, Ankarafantsika, Madagascar
