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14

European Roller

(Coracias garrulus)
Alternate name(s): "Eurasian Roller", "Roller"
German name(s): "Blauracke", "Mandelkrähe"

Size: 29-32 cm; wing span 52-58 cm
Weight: 125-160 g

Similar
species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See European Roller at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

Race "garrulus"

This race is also called the "Western European Roller".

ADULT

Sex unknown

Near-frontal view of a European Roller (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Near-frontal view of a European Roller calling a warning (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Lateral view of an adult European Roller (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a European Roller (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a European Roller perched on a shrub (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Dorsal view of a European Roller in flight (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral view of a fledgling European Roller looking at the observer (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Lateral view of a fledgling European Roller (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Adult European Roller, left, luring a fledgling out of the nest with the promise of food (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Adult European Roller, left, with a fledgling that has just left the nest (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a fledgling European Roller that has just left the nest (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Race "semenowi"

This race is also called the "Eastern European Roller" or the "Kashmir Roller".

Photos of European Rollers, race "semenowi", were taken by us in Oman.

Breeding information

Breeding season: May - July Eggs: 4 - 5 Incubation period: 18 - 19 days Fledging age: 28 - 29 days

Nest building: N/A Incubation: Female & male Dependent care: Female & male

During and shortly after egg-laying the female is the main incubator; later the male takes over as primary incubator.

Nest

Type: Tree hollow, tunnel, crevace Material: N/A Height above ground: 1 - ? m

European Rollers "recycle" tree hollow or cliff tunnel nests dug by other bird species. They do not line their nests, but will clean out old litter if necessary.

Fledgling European Roller looking out of its nest tunnel (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)

Eggs

Size: 36 x 28 mm Colour: White Shape: Tapered oval

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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