The European Roller (Coracias garrulus) is a medium-sized bird from the Middle East, Central Asia, and Morocco. It is also called the Blue Roller or the Eurasian Roller.
The European Roller is mainly blue with an orange-brown back. It has a thick short black beak, dark eyes, and pale-yellow legs.
European Roller
Merchandise of the European Roller is available for purchase
It grows to about 32 centimetres (13 inches) tall, with a wingspan of 58 centimetres (23 inches).
It prefers regions with trees, such as dry wooded areas and lowlands.
It is a long-distance migratory bird, flying to Africa in winter – in west Africa, and also east and southern Africa.
It eats seeds, grains, insects, worms, and arachnids (spiders and scorpions).
The European Roller makes a nest in holes in trees. Females lay about 6 eggs.
European Roller
European Roller
Merchandise of the European Roller is available for purchase
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM