Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) Close-Up – Gujarat, India

Description

The Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) is one of India’s most recognizable and colourful birds. This original close-up wildlife photograph captures the distinctive features and vivid plumage of an Indian Roller in fine detail.

The photograph was captured in the wild by wildlife photographer Amarjeetsinh Jhala and is part of the Focused Nature By AJ collection of original Indian bird and wildlife photography.

About the Indian Roller

The Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) is a colourful bird belonging to the family Coraciidae. It is known for its striking combination of blue, purple, brown and green plumage.

The species is commonly encountered in open landscapes and is frequently seen perched on exposed branches, poles and roadside wires while watching for prey. Indian Rollers are widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent and are resident birds in India.

Indian Roller Close-Up

A close-up photograph provides an opportunity to see details that may not be visible in a distant bird photograph.

This image highlights the Indian Roller’s:

• Bright blue crown
• Blue wings and tail
• Purplish-blue flight feathers
• Brownish breast
• Lilac and purple throat
• White streaking around the throat and breast
• Ochre-coloured bare skin around the eye
• Strong, slightly hooked bill

The combination of blue plumage and contrasting facial and throat markings makes the Indian Roller a particularly attractive subject for bird photography.

Indian Roller Identification

The Indian Roller is a medium-sized, stocky bird measuring approximately 26–27 cm in length.

Its most distinctive field characteristics include its vivid blue wings and tail, brownish breast, blue crown and contrasting markings on the throat.

The species can be distinguished from the migratory European Roller by its overall colour pattern and particularly by its brownish breast rather than the blue breast associated with the European species.

Indian Roller Habitat

Indian Rollers are strongly associated with open habitats.

They can be found in agricultural landscapes, grasslands, scrub, light woodland and other open areas where suitable lookout perches are available. They are also commonly seen along roadsides and on overhead wires.

Their ability to use human-modified landscapes makes them a familiar sight across many parts of India.

Indian Roller Behaviour

Indian Rollers often hunt from exposed perches, watching the ground before dropping down to capture prey.

Their diet includes insects such as beetles, grasshoppers and crickets. They may also take advantage of insects attracted to artificial lights, particularly during warmer months.

During the breeding season, Indian Rollers can become particularly vocal and display a variety of behaviours including bowing, bill-up displays, wing movements and tail fanning.

Indian Roller in India

The Indian Roller is a resident species with a very large distribution across India. The State of India’s Birds 2025 assessment identifies open habitat as its habitat specialization.

The current assessment lists the Indian Roller as Near Threatened globally and Moderate Priority in India. It also reports a declining long-term trend and a declining current annual trend nationally.

These trends make continued documentation and awareness of India’s common and familiar birds important for understanding changes in bird populations and habitats.

Indian Roller – A Colourful Bird of India

The Indian Roller is particularly famous for its spectacular blue wings, which become even more impressive when the bird takes flight.

Although the photograph on this page is a close-up rather than a flight photograph, the detailed view provides a clear look at the bird’s characteristic plumage and facial features.

This makes the photograph suitable for bird identification, educational material, wildlife articles and nature-related publications.

Photography Details

Common Name: Indian Roller
Scientific Name: Coracias benghalensis
Family: Coraciidae
Bird Type: Roller / Landbird
Migratory Status: Resident
Habitat: Open Habitats
Location: Gujarat, India
Photograph Type: Close-Up
Photographer: Amarjeetsinh Jhala

Conservation Information

Global Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Indian Conservation Priority: Moderate
Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule II

The conservation categories and population trend information are based on the State of India’s Birds 2025 assessment.

About This Photograph

This is an original wildlife photograph captured in the wild by wildlife photographer Amarjeetsinh Jhala.

The photograph forms part of the Focused Nature By AJ collection documenting India’s birds and wildlife through original nature photography.

The image can be used for bird identification resources, educational projects, wildlife articles, nature websites, editorial content, birding publications, conservation awareness and approved commercial applications according to the selected license.

Image Licensing

Personal Use

Suitable for personal collections, wallpapers and other non-commercial personal projects.

Commercial Use

Suitable for websites, digital marketing, advertising, social media, business presentations and other approved commercial applications.

Printing & Publication

Suitable for magazines, books, newspapers, calendars, educational publications, exhibitions and other approved editorial and printing uses.

Explore More Indian Bird Photography

Explore more original Indian Roller photographs, Indian Roller close-up photography, Indian bird photography, Indian wildlife photography, colourful bird photography and nature photographs captured by Amarjeetsinh Jhala.

Focused Nature By AJ documents India’s birds and wildlife through original nature photography, with selected photographs available for personal, commercial and printing & publication licensing.