Page 257 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

KINGFISHERS, BEE-EATERS, ROLLERS,AND HOOPOE
Order Coraciiformes Family Coraciidae Species Coracias garrulus
Roller

stout, pointed
grey bill
greenish blue
head
dark purple-blue
on outer wings duller, paler
body than
adult’s faintly
streaked
chest
vivid turquoise on
inner wings
square pale red-
dark tail brown
back
ADULT
(SUMMER)
IN FLIGHT IMMATURE (WINTER) green-blue
underside
bright green-blue
closed wings
FLIGHT: direct, straight, with regular shallow wing-
beats, wings slightly angled; tumbling flight in display.
first view of a Roller may be slightly
Adisappointing as a perched bird may
look dull, but once it takes flight, it
reveals remarkably vivid colours, quite
unlike any other European bird.Especially
in late spring,when the adult is at its ADULT
best,it is a remarkably colourful bird, (SUMMER)
as the dull, pale feather edges of
winter wear away. Rollers are most
characteristic of southeast Europe, less
common in southwest Europe, and rare
vagrants north of the breeding range.
They often perch on wires or telephone
poles, and so are usually quite easy to
detect; they may also perch on the sides
of trees, tucked in the shade under the
canopy. In Africa, Rollers concentrate
more around herds of animals or at
fires, where insects are forced to fly
and reveal themselves.They are very
rare in summer in Europe north of OCCURRENCE
their usual range. Breeds in S Europe, north to Baltic
VOICE Hard, crow-like rak, rak-aaak, States in E Europe; present from
or rack-ak-ak. May to August. In variety of open
NESTING Hole in tree, wall, or countryside with orchards, woods,
building, or old crow nest in tree; bushes, and rough grassland,
4–7 eggs; 1 brood; May–June. often perched on overhead wires
FEEDING Eats large insects and small HOLE NESTER or tops of isolated bushes.
rodents, usually caught on ground after A big, rotten cavity in an old tree is a typical nest site Seen in the UK
flurried drop from perch. for this bold, strong bird. JF M A M J JA S ON D
Length 30cm (12in) Wingspan 52–57cm (20 1 ⁄2 –22 1 ⁄2in) Weight 120–190g (4–7oz)
Social Small flocks Lifespan Up to 10 years Status Declining†
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