Oriental Dollarbird

The Oriental dollarbird, Eurystomus orientalis, is a member of the roller family, notable for its coin-shaped pale blue or white spots on its wings. This bird exhibits a dark brown plumage with a bluish-green sheen on the back and wing coverts, and a lighter belly and undertail coverts. The throat and undertail boast a glossy bright blue, while flight feathers are a darker hue. Adults have an orange-red bill with a black tip, and distinctive light blue wing patches.

Identification Tips

Adults can be identified by their short, wide orange-red bills with black tips, and the light blue wing patches visible in flight. Females are slightly less vibrant than males, and juveniles lack the blue throat and have brown bills and feet.

Habitat

The Oriental dollarbird favors open wooded areas, particularly those with hollow-bearing trees suitable for nesting.

Distribution

This species ranges from Australia to Korea, Japan, and India. It breeds in northern and eastern Australia and spends the winter in New Guinea and nearby islands.

Behaviour

Typically seen alone, the Oriental dollarbird perches upright on bare branches, from where it sallies forth to hawk insects, often returning to the same spot.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in Australia from September to April, with the birds preferring to nest in hollow trees.

Diet and Feeding

The Oriental dollarbird feeds on insects, which it catches in flight from its high perches.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Oriental dollarbird as Least Concern, indicating it is not currently at significant risk of widespread decline.