| European Roller | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Coraciiformes |
| Family: | Coraciidae |
| Genus: | Coracias |
| Species: | Coracias garrulus |
The European Roller (Coracias garrulus) is a well-known bird in the family Coraciidae. It and the other members of the family are named for its aerobatic display flights. It is the only species of roller to breed in Europe.
Description[]
It is about 30 cm long and has a mostly blue-turquoise plumage, a pale brown back, black bill, a black stripe that crosses its eyes, and grey feet. The tail, slightly forked, is blue-green with a black tip. The wings are long and pointed, blue in colour with black remiges.
Behaviour[]
The European Roller feeds primarily on insects it catches in flight, especially beetles, which it crushes with its strong bill, but also on other invertebrates and small reptiles, amphibians and rodents. It is a migratory bird whose breeding season begins as soon as it returns to its nesting grounds. The male tries to attract a female by doing an in-flight acrobatic display. The pair then nests in a tree cavity, or sometimes in cavities of old walls, dug cavities in steep loess and clay riverbanks, and nest boxes, where the female lays 4-5 eggs that both parents will incubate. The tree cavities rollers nest in come from other birds such as Green and Black Woodpeckers.
Distribution and Habitat[]
It spends the summer months in central-south Europe and in South Asia, and migrates to south-east Africa and the Guinea Gulf. It lives in open woodland with large clearings and cultivated areas in its breeding territories, whereas in its wintering territories, it frequents savannas.