European Roller

European Roller
juvenile and adult
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae Genus: Coracius Species: garrulus
Binomial name
Coracias garrulus

The European Roller , Coracias garrulus, is the only member of the roller family of birds to breed in Europe. Its range extends into western Asia and Morocco. It is a long-distance migrant, wintering in southern Africa.

It is a bird of warm open country with some trees. The European Roller is a stocky bird, the size of a Jackdaw, but is mainly blue with a warm brown back. They often perch prominently on trees posts or overhead wires, like giant shrikes, whilst watching for the large insects, lizards and frogs that they eat.

This species is even more striking in its strong direct flight, with the brilliant blue contrasting with black flight feathers. Sexes are similar, but the juvenile is a drabber version of the adult.

The display of this bird is a lapwing-like display, with the twists and turns that give this species its English name. It nests in an unlined tree or cliff hole, and lays about 4 eggs.

The call is a harsh crow-like sound.