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An European Roller hunting in the grasslands

A passage migrant to India that is seen for maybe a month and half during Sep/Oct. This roller migrates from Europe / Central Asia to Africa and the vast majority of birds cross the Mediterranean I believe and make way down South. But the ones from Central Asia / Iran / Pakistan, make their way to India, rest there for a short while, gather energy and then fly to Africa over the Arabian Sea flying a couple of days non-stop. Wikipedia notes a record of a European Roller in a plane hit over the Arabian Sea. The behaviour is similar to the Common Cuckoo which also has a similar migratory pattern.

 

During our trip to take shots of this bird, the bird was hunting insects and gave us a lot of time. It suddenly landed on a perch very close to us, and started back at us. Then suddently took off and caught an insect.

 

Thanks for all your views and feedback - much appreciated.

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Uploaded on March 31, 2025
Taken on October 2, 2023