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Indian roller
नीलकंठ (neelkanth)
A thickset blue-and-brown bird that sits on wires and bare branches over open ground. At rest it looks dull; the moment it opens its wings it becomes two shades of brilliant blue.
👀 How to recognise it
Look for a stocky bird sitting upright and motionless on a wire, dropping straight down onto insects. The flash of turquoise and dark blue in the wing is unmistakable, and the male tumbles through the air in spring display.
Protection
Schedule II, Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972
Where to see it
Bengaluru
The state bird of Karnataka, and in Kannada literally nilakantha, “blue throat”, a name of Shiva. Seeing one before a journey counts as a good omen in parts of the Deccan, and it is a Dussehra bird across South India.
Nandi Hills · Savandurga · Turahalli Forest (often) · Bannerghatta Biological Park (often)
Govardhan
Its Hindi name, nilkanth or “blue throat”, is one of Shiva's names, and seeing the bird on Dussehra is counted as a good sign across north India. The species has been moved to Near Threatened as insect prey and open ground have declined.
Govardhan Hill & Parikrama Marg (often) · Chandra Sarovar & Surdas Kuti, Parasoli (often)
Hyderabad
The state bird of Telangana, where it is palapitta. Seeing one on Dussehra is held to bring success, and the bird is a fixture of Telangana's festival imagery, which is also why releasing captive rollers at Dussehra is now prosecuted as a wildlife offence.
KBR National Park (often) · Khajaguda Hills (Fakhruddingutta) (often) · Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park (often)
Jaipur
Its Hindi name, nilkanth (“blue throat”), is a name of Shiva, and seeing the bird around Dussehra is counted as a good omen across northern India.
Jhalana Leopard Reserve · Central Park (often) · Sambhar Salt Lake (often)
Pune
Once common across Maharashtra, where the bird was a reminder that Mahashivratri was approaching, the roller is now largely restricted to Pune's hills and outskirts, such as Vetal Tekdi.
Vetal Tekdi (often) · Pashan Lake (often) · Khadakwasla Dam (often)
Ujjain
The neelkanth, “blue throat”, is a name of Shiva, which gives the bird a particular weight in Ujjain, a city built around Mahakaleshwar. Seeing one on Dussehra is held to bring success.
Naulakhi Eco Tourism Park (often) · Dewas Tekri (Mata Tekri) (often) · Undasa Lake (often)