Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis) is a member of the Roller family Coraciidae. Members of this family are so-named because of their rolling courtship flight display. The common name Dollarbird comes from the prominent pale blue coin-shaped spots towards the tips of the wings against a background of dark blue (above). These spots are thought to resemble the American silver dollar coin.
Dollarbirds are often seen perched on a bare branch high in a tree (above). This gives them a conspicuous position from which to hawk for flying insects that form their main diet.
Once it sights an insect, it launches from its perch (above)…
…to catch it on the wing (above – the insect is at the top right corner).
And once caught (above) it will return to its original perch to feast on it.
Credit: Johnny Wee (top 2 images) & Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS (rest of images).
