Abyssinian Roller vs Indochinese Roller

Abyssinian Roller

Coracias abyssinicus

Medium102 gShrubland

The Abyssinian roller is a large bird, nearly the size of a jackdaw at 28–30 cm (11–12 in). It has a warm brown back, with the rest of the plumage mainly blue. Adults have 12 cm (4.7 in) long tail streamers. Sexes are similar, but the juvenile is a drabber version of the adult. Abyssinian roller is striking in its strong direct flight, with the brilliant blues of the wings contrasting with the brown back and the long tail streamers trailing behind. The call of the Abyssinian roller is a harsh crow-like gak sound, or a screeched aaaargh.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Solrac1993 Carlos Vermeersch Santana · Public domain

Indochinese Roller

Coracias affinis

Medium157 gUrban

It is a stocky bird. The crown and vent are blue. The primaries are deep purplish blue with a band of pale blue. The tail is sky blue with a terminal band of Prussian blue and the central feathers are dull green. The neck and throat are purplish lilac with white shaft streaks. The bare patch around the eye is ochre in colour. The three forward toes are united at the base. Rollers have a long and compressed bill with a curved upper edge and a hooked tip. The nostril is long and exposed and there are long rictal bristles at the base of the bill.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recorded by Sachin Ranade · Rani, India · CC BY 4.0

Photo: Rejoice Gassah · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Abyssinian Roller and Indochinese Roller.