Thursday 21 March 2019

Indochinese Roller (Coracias affinis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Coracias (a bird name by Aristotle; possibly choughs) affinis (related or allied)
Adult Indochinese Roller (Coracias affinisnear Siem Reap, Cambodia - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 166-177g  / Length: 30-34cm  / Wingspan: 65-74cm
NO UK STATUS IUCN Red List: Least Concern

My first ever typical species of the roller family, a family noted for their electric blue plumage.  They are predators of small vertebrates and insects with a hunting style somewhat similar to shrikes.  The Indochinese Roller is yet another species that is in the stage of split - it is still considered by some authorities to be part of the Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis). The Indochinese, whether it be species or subspecies, has a distinctive indigo patch on it's throat, differentiating it from the nominate Indian. 

Related Species:
Order: Coraciiformes
FAMILY: Coraciidae
GENUS: Coracias
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -
CAMBODIA Khmer name: ទាវខៀវ ("blue?")
A fairly common resident.
SINGAPORE / CAMBODIA 2019 TRIP - Two seen near outskirts of Siem Reap

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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