| Broad-billed Roller | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Coraciiformes |
| Family: | Coraciidae |
| Genus: | Eurystomus |
| Species: | Eurystomus glaucurus |
The Broad-billed Roller (Eurystomus glaucurus) is an African species of roller more widespread than its close relative, the Blue-throated Roller.
Subspecies and their Distribution[]
There are 4 subspecies of the Broad-billed Roller:
- E. g. afer is distributed from Senegal through Nigeria to Sudan. The back is brown, and the sides are faint greenish-blue.
- E. g. aethiopicus overlaps in Sudan with E. g. afer, and in Uganda and Kenya with E. g. suahelicus. In addition, it lives in Ethiopia. It is outwardly similar to E. g. afer, however, it is slightly larger, and parts of the body of rusty and purple shades are lighter.
- E. g. suahelicus intersects with E. g. afer and E. g. aethiopicus between 5° north latitude and the equator in the area of distribution, and the range extends to Angola, Transvaal and Zululand. Rusty and purple body parts are lighter than E. g. aethiopicus. The head is vaguely purple, and the lower body is blue. It is slightly larger than E. g. afer.
- E. g. glaucurus is common in Madagascar and winters in East Africa. It is similar to E. g. suahelicus, yet only larger, and the lower part of the body is of a dark gray-blue color.
Description[]
Measuring 29-30 cm (11.4-11.8 in) long, the Broad-billed Roller is a plump bird with a large head and mostly chestnut plumage. The chest and throat is purplish. The flight feathers of the wings are brilliant dark blue. The bottom of the tail is a lighter blue, and the characteristic, broad beak is bright yellow. In juveniles, the plumage is drabber and the breast is paler than those of the adult.
Behavior[]
Like other roller species, the Broad-billed Roller is often seen sitting clearly visible on a lookout point in the form of a treetop, pole or wire, like a shrike. During the day, it is usually inactive unless chasing for intruders, but in the late afternoon, it hunts for swarming ants and termites, sometimes in large groups of 100 individuals or more. Like a swallow, the Broad-billed Roller dips its beak in water to drink while flying. The bird nests in an unlined nest placed in a tree hole, where it lays two to three eggs.
Habitat[]
This roller thrives in open landscapes with some tall trees, preferably near water.