Scientific Name: Coracias garrulus 
Common Name: European Roller
Other Name: Blue roller, Common roller, Eurasian roller, or simply roller

Identifying Features: blue body, orange-brown back,  brilliant blue contrasting with black flight feathers, dark patch around eye.

Fun Facts:

  • There are two subspecies recognised, one of which is named ‘Kashmir roller’.
  • The European roller chick will vomit a foul-smelling orange liquid onto itself to deter a predator. The smell also warns the parents on their return to the nest.

 

This image was clicked by Paul Cools – via Flickr.

Where have you seen this bird? Let us know in the comments below. You can also share a photo of this bird clicked by you by sending it to birdwatcher@delhigreens.org