Rollers – Family Overview

Rollers are medium-sized, brightly coloured birds belonging to the family Coraciidae. They are best known for their vivid blue and turquoise plumage, strong bills, and distinctive rolling or tumbling flight displays, particularly during courtship.

Rollers typically inhabit open landscapes such as grasslands, agricultural fields, forest edges, scrub, and lightly wooded areas. They are often seen perched prominently on wires, poles, or tree branches, scanning the ground for prey.

These birds are primarily insectivorous, feeding on large insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and locusts. They may also occasionally take small reptiles or amphibians. Rollers usually hunt by making short sallies from a perch to the ground before returning to the same or a nearby perch.

Many roller species nest in tree cavities, natural holes, or abandoned woodpecker nests. Some species also use holes in earth banks or old structures. Rollers are generally solitary or found in pairs, becoming more conspicuous during the breeding season.

India hosts several roller species across a wide range of habitats, from dry plains and farmland to forested regions. Their striking colours and characteristic flight behaviour make them among the most easily recognised birds in the Indian landscape.

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Licensing & Prints

Selected photographs from this bird family are available for licensing and fine-art prints. You can explore curated images in the Rollers collection on BirdsPhotos Shop.