#coracias

A lilac breasted roller (Coracias caudatus) in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis), family Coraciidae, order Coraciiformes, India

Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis), family Coraciidae, order Coraciiformes, Uva Province, Sri Lanka

This kite is an excellent kite for reading wind speed and condition. It moves almost instantaneously to any change in wind speed or direction. When the wind speed increases the kite visibly moves upwards and responds fast enough to show gusts in the air. I have flown this kite in very low wind speeds (5km/h) and it is very stable, a short drop in wind speed, however, may land the kite. The kite can also fly in moderate to strong wind, however, the pull on the kite line is strong, the spars start to bend drastically and it fights its way sideways out of the wind window.

When I have flown this kite in good wind conditions, it is capable of being used for KAP (Kite Aerial Photography) with a light camera and will fly at a relatively steep angle. The Dopero kite, which comes from the Roller design, is an excellent kite for KAP and provides excellent stability.