Indian Roller

The Indian roller is 30 to 34 cm long with a wingspan of 65 to 74 cm and weighs 166 to 176 g. The face and throat are pinkish, the head and back 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 look alike, and two subspecies are recognised (Wikipedia, general species account).

It occurs widely from West Asia to the Indian subcontinent, often on roadside trees and wires in open grassland and scrub forest, and has adapted well to human-modified landscapes. It feeds mainly on insects, especially beetles. It is best known for the males' aerobatic breeding displays; pairs raise the young together, and the female lays 3 to 5 eggs in a cavity or crevice. Nationally Least Concern (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).