Thank to Sifu Khong timely tip off whilst I
was about to leave from Alor Setar to Ipoh. So thought of trying my CNY bird
luck to catch this lifer. It is seldom seen in the west coast as it is more
common in the Northern East coast area and in southern Thailand.
I only realised that it is a resident of Peninsula Malaysia thought not migratory.However it do move about seasonally. Sighting at Juru Penang and Sitiawan Perak and and now Taiping. The Indian Roller is a stocky bird like the Dollarbird slightly larger by an inche at 30-34cm. It has a warm brown back, lilac breast and face, and blue crown, wings, tail and belly. Sexes are similar, but the juvenile is a drabber version of the adult. The Southeast Asian race C. b. affinis has a green back and purple underparts. Indian Roller is striking in its strong direct flight, with the brilliant blues of the wings contrasting with the brown back.
It's preferred landscape is open field country with some trees. In Malaysia it is often perch prominently posts or overhead wires, like giant shrikes, whilst watching for the large insects, lizards and frogs that they eat. They will follow tractors for disturbed invertebrates, and dash into the smoke of a forest fire on a similar mission. They are fearless and will dive and roll at humans and other intruders.
The display of this bird is a lapwing-like display, with the twists and turns that give this species its English name. It nests in a lined hole in a tree or building, and lays about 3-5 eggs. The call of Indian Roller is a harsh crow-like chack sound. Also makes a variety of other sounds including a metallic boink calls. Especially vociferous during the breeding season.
For your information Indian Roller has been given the status of state bird for Indian states of Karnataka, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.
I only realised that it is a resident of Peninsula Malaysia thought not migratory.However it do move about seasonally. Sighting at Juru Penang and Sitiawan Perak and and now Taiping. The Indian Roller is a stocky bird like the Dollarbird slightly larger by an inche at 30-34cm. It has a warm brown back, lilac breast and face, and blue crown, wings, tail and belly. Sexes are similar, but the juvenile is a drabber version of the adult. The Southeast Asian race C. b. affinis has a green back and purple underparts. Indian Roller is striking in its strong direct flight, with the brilliant blues of the wings contrasting with the brown back.
It's preferred landscape is open field country with some trees. In Malaysia it is often perch prominently posts or overhead wires, like giant shrikes, whilst watching for the large insects, lizards and frogs that they eat. They will follow tractors for disturbed invertebrates, and dash into the smoke of a forest fire on a similar mission. They are fearless and will dive and roll at humans and other intruders.
The display of this bird is a lapwing-like display, with the twists and turns that give this species its English name. It nests in a lined hole in a tree or building, and lays about 3-5 eggs. The call of Indian Roller is a harsh crow-like chack sound. Also makes a variety of other sounds including a metallic boink calls. Especially vociferous during the breeding season.
For your information Indian Roller has been given the status of state bird for Indian states of Karnataka, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.
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