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Indian RollerSize: 26-27 cm |
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Similar species |
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Taxonomy, classification |
See Indian Roller
at Wikipedia 
.
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Sightings |
We have spotted Indian Rollers on the campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, through all seasons. They usually come as singles or in pairs.
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Photos |
Close-up view of an Indian Roller in soft evening light
Indian Roller with its bill open
Near-frontal view of a Indian Roller on the ground
Indian Roller in a palm tree
Indian Roller cooling on a humid day with temperatures in excess of 40 C
Indian Roller drinking from a pond
Here a crafty Indian Roller coming out of a storm drain pipe where
it had been observed on several previous occasions
Here one can see what the Indian Roller was after - a gecko
Hold it up high...!
Here, again, an Indian Roller drinking from a pond, but now in late evening light - note the pronounced difference in colours compared to the photo above, which was taken in harsh, midday light on a very hot day
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Nest |
It is not 100% clear whether the nest shown below is in fact the Indian Roller's. We observed the bird sitting at the entrance and then that there is a nest inside, but it was not in use at the time.
Indian Roller sitting at the entrance of a roof water drain pipe
Here a view into the drain pipe, showing a nest; the pipe looks closed at the back, so it should remain dry
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Behaviour |
Indian Rollers are territorial birds; they are one of the species that do not hesitate to swoop humans to defend their territories and/or nests.
The fact that a House Crow bothers to hustle a smaller bird such as an Indian Roller (see photo below) indicates that Rollers are probably nest robbers.
Here a House
Crow seen literally swooping an Indian Roller off its perch
Indian Rollers usually sit on relatively low perches, often in trees, on major branches just off the trunk. Also found on road signs, lamps or similarly convenient perches.
Pair of Indian Rollers on a very typical perch
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Food |
Like all other members of the roller family, Indian Rollers feed on large insects that they catch in flight and on small reptiles that they take from the ground.
