Which of the following birds serves as the official state bird for three different Indian states?

Introduction:
Many Indian states have their own state birds, chosen to highlight regional biodiversity and cultural significance. A few species are so iconic that more than one state adopts them. This question asks which bird among the options is officially recognised as the state bird of three different Indian states, a favourite fact in environment and polity based general knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Options include great hornbill, greater flamingo, hill mynah and blue jay (Indian roller). - We consider officially notified state birds as per state governments. - Some birds may be state birds of one or two states, but we look for one that serves three. - Names refer to widely used English common names.

Concept / Approach:
The Indian roller, often called blue jay in older English usage for India, is a striking blue bird well known for its acrobatic flight. It has been adopted as the state bird by Telangana, Odisha and Karnataka. While the other birds in the options are also important, none of them holds official status in three states. Remembering this association between Indian roller and multiple states provides the answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List the states that have Indian roller as their state bird: Telangana, Odisha and Karnataka. Step 2: Recall that hill mynah and great hornbill are state birds, but each for fewer states. Step 3: Note that greater flamingo is the state bird of Gujarat but not widely adopted across several states. Step 4: From this, recognise that blue jay (Indian roller) is the only bird in the list acting as state bird for three states and select it.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official state symbol lists published by Indian states and compiled in exam guides show that the Indian roller is indeed the state bird for three states. This triple listing is often highlighted as an interesting fact and appears in many objective question banks, confirming that blue jay (Indian roller) is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Great Hornbill: State bird of some north eastern states such as Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala, but not of three states. Greater Flamingo: Recognised as the state bird of Gujarat but not adopted by three different states. Hill Mynah: State bird of a smaller number of states, such as Chhattisgarh, but again not of three states.

Common Pitfalls:
Because several colourful birds are associated with particular states, learners may mix up exactly how many states have adopted each bird. Another issue is confusion between Indian roller and other blue birds. A practical memory aid is to remember the trio of Telangana, Odisha and Karnataka sharing the same state bird, the Indian roller, which some sources label as blue jay in the Indian context.

Final Answer:
The bird that is the state bird of three Indian states is the Blue Jay (Indian Roller).