Grey Wagtails

Grey Wagtail on the roof

Wagtails are fairly common in and around Shimoga, but the Grey Wagtails are special - they are only winter visitors to our parts. As its name says, it  has a grey head and shoulders, dark wings, but most importantly, yellow underbelly. I first got the impression that this might be the Yellow Wagtail, but some help clarified that issue.

Like other wagtails, it keeps wagging its tail continuously, hopping to and fro in search of food. A very active bird, this can be seen closer to gardens and scrubs, most easily during the months of December and January near Shimoga.

Salim Ali notes that these nest only in the Himalayas in India, that too only during the summer. But they descend from the mountains during the winter can be seen throughout India.

Scientific name for these birds is Motacilla cinerea Tunstall

Indian Roller

Indian Roller, in its typical location - electric wires

The state bird of Karnataka. A bird with arguably flashiest of plumages, the Rollers are among the cherished birds of our region.

Their bright blue wings are the most attractive feature - at least for me. Their chest and back tend to be chestnut in color. A flying roller can be a sight to remember - the deep-blue wings make them a very attractive bird :)

Slightly larger than the white-breasted Kingfishers, these are closer to pigeons in size. Generally they feed on insects.


Actually, I have not seen many Indian Rollers near Shimoga. But I see them almost every time I drive to the drier parts of the state, especially the agricultural lands near the capita, Bangalore, and Hassan districts.

Scientific name for these birds is Coracias benghalensis.