Hindi Name – Neelkant
Species – Coracias Benghalensis
Origin – The Indian roller occurs widely from West Asia to the Indian subcontinent.
Size – It is 30–34 cm (12–13 in) long with a wingspan of 65–74 cm (26–29 in)
Breeding season – March to June
Family – The Indian roller (Coracias benghalensis) is a bird of the family Coraciidae.
Description – 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.
Breeding Season – The breeding season is March to June, slightly earlier in southern India.
Diet – It mainly feeds on insects, especially beetles.
Habitat – Often found perched on roadside trees and wires, it is common in open grassland and scrub forest habitats, and has adapted well to human-modified landscapes such as parks and gardens.
Distinct Feature – The species is best known for the aerobatic displays of males during the breeding season. The roller is the state bird of three Indian states. It is listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List.