Indochinese Roller Coracias affinis Scientific name definitions

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.

• Indian x Indochinese Roller (hybrid) Coracias benghalensis x affinis

E Nepal, Bhutan and NE India (Bihar, Assam) E to SC China (S Sichuan, Yunnan), and S to peninsular Thailand and Indochina.

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 Spierenburg, P. (2005). Birds in Bhutan: Status and Distribution. Oriental Bird Club, Bedford, UK. Close ).

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 Spierenburg, P. (2005). Birds in Bhutan: Status and Distribution. Oriental Bird Club, Bedford, UK. Close ), but no evidence of migration further S, although on Thai-Malay Peninsula sometimes recorded up to 25 km from known breeding sites (3 Wells, D. R. (1999). The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Volume 1. Non-passerines. Academic Press, London, UK. Close ).

No detailed studies, but no known differences from C. benghalensis.

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 Rasmussen, P. C., and J. C. Anderton (2005). Birds of South Asia: the Ripley Guide. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ).

Few if any differences from C. benghalensis. Season at least Apr–May in Thai-Malay Peninsula, but undoubtedly also earlier (3 Wells, D. R. (1999). The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Volume 1. Non-passerines. Academic Press, London, UK. Close ), and mainly the same months in Myanmar (5 Fry, C. H., K. Fry, and A. Harris (1992). Kingfishers, Bee-eaters and Rollers. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). 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 Wells, D. R. (1999). The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Volume 1. Non-passerines. Academic Press, London, UK. Close ). Few other data specific to C. affinis.

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).