Indochinese Roller Coracias affinis Scientific name definitions
- LC Least Concern
- Names (26)
- Monotypic
Text last updated October 27, 2014
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Species names in all available languages
Language | Common name |
---|---|
Assamese | নীলকণ্ঠ |
Bulgarian | Бирманска синявица |
Catalan | gaig blau d'Indoxina |
Chinese (SIM) | 棕胸佛法僧 |
Czech | mandelík indočínský |
Danish | Burmaellekrage |
English | Indochinese Roller |
English (India) | Indochinese Roller (Black-billed Roller) |
English (United States) | Indochinese Roller |
French | Rollier d'Indochine |
French (France) | Rollier d'Indochine |
German | Purpurbrustracke |
Hungarian | Indokínai szalakóta |
Japanese | インドシナブッポウソウ |
Lithuanian | Bengalinis žalvarnis (affinis) |
Norwegian | indokinaråke |
Polish | kraska indochińska |
Russian | Индокитайская сизоворонка |
Serbian | Indokineska modrovrana |
Slovak | krakľa indočínska |
Spanish | Carraca Indochina |
Spanish (Spain) | Carraca indochina |
Swedish | indokinesisk blåkråka |
Thai | นกตะขาบทุ่ง |
Turkish | Çinhindi Gökkuzgunu |
Ukrainian | Сиворакша індокитайська |
Coracias affinis Horsfield, 1840
Definitions
- CORACIAS
- coracias
- affinae / affine / affinis
The Key to Scientific Names
Legend Overview
Field Identification
30–34 cm. Previously considered to be conspecific with partially allopatric <em>C. benghalensis</em> (see Taxonomy comments). Upperparts (including mantle , back, scapulars and inner secondaries) pale grey-green, mostly dark blue upperwing-coverts , purple-blue rump and uppertail-coverts, purple-based, mainly light blue tail , mid-blue cap , buff-grey face , throat, breast and mid-belly, sometimes vaguely streaked bluish or tinged violet , and dull grey-blue belly; bill black, eyes mid brown, and legs and feet horn-yellow. Sexes alike. Juvenile duller, has head concolorous with body and lacks obvious bright colours.
Systematics History
Subspecies
Hybridization
Hybrid Records and Media Contributed to eBird
-
Indian x Indochinese Roller (hybrid) Coracias benghalensis x affinis
Distribution
E Nepal, Bhutan and NE India (Bihar, Assam) E to SC China (S Sichuan, Yunnan), and S to peninsular Thailand and Indochina.
Habitat
Inhabits light Casuarina woodland, patchy dune scrub, coconut plantations, open marshland, paddy and other field edges . Recorded to 2900 m in Bhutan, where principally found below 2200 m (2).
Movement
Probably more sedentary than C. benghalensis; however, appears to be subject to ill-understood local movements; for example, in S Myanmar common only in Sept–May, and appears to withdraw to lower altitudes in winter in Bhutan, where mainly found below 400 m at this season (2), but no evidence of migration further S, although on Thai-Malay Peninsula sometimes recorded up to 25 km from known breeding sites (3).
Diet and Foraging
No detailed studies, but no known differences from C. benghalensis.
Sounds and Vocal Behavior
Compared to both races of C. benghalensis that of C. affinis is slightly higher-pitched and more nasal, with a series of "grrK-grrK-grrK..." notes ending in slightly longer, slower calls (4).
Breeding
Few if any differences from C. benghalensis. Season at least Apr–May in Thai-Malay Peninsula, but undoubtedly also earlier (3), and mainly the same months in Myanmar (5). Several nests in dead coconut palms, 9–12 m above ground; sometimes shares territory with Eurystomus orientalis and the two can nest in adjacent trees (3). Few other data specific to C. affinis.
Conservation Status
Not globally threatened. Common over much of its range; locally abundant and conspicuous in SE Asia. Likely to have increased with deforestation and urbanization. Not known to be hunted regularly, but, being roadside scavengers, many are struck down by vehicles. Occurs in many national parks, e.g. Khao Yai (Thailand) and Nam Bai Cat Tien (Vietnam).