Add Animal
    Mammals
    Mammals Birds Amphibians Reptiles Animals Ray-finned fishes Myxini – Hagfishes Petromyz' – Lampreys Sharks & rays Holocep' – Chimaeras Dipneusti – Lungfish Coelac' – Coelacanths Insecta – Insects / bugs Gastropoda – Snails & slugs Cephalopoda – Squids & octopuses Arachnida – Spiders & scorpions Malacostraca – Malacostracans Diplopoda – Millipedes Bivalvia – Marine molluscs Chilopoda – Centipedes Pycnogonida – Sea spiders Merostomata – Horseshoe crabs More Classes
    Filters

    Regions

    See AllSelect

    Habitat

    See AllSelect

    European roller

      Saved In:

    Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe

    Assaf Levy








      Saved In:


    European roller

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

    Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe

    Population 200,000 – 600,000
    5 – 20% decrease over 3 generations

    A charismatic bird species native to the old-world regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Known for their stocky build and vibrant plumage, these blue birds with orange-brown backs are a sight to behold in the dry, warm, open woodlands they call home.

    Characterized by their hooked bills and brightly colored feathers, European rollers are often admired for their striking appearance. They typically nest in natural tree holes, where they raise a single brood each year. Both males and females play active roles in caring for their young, which fledge after approximately 27 days of hatching. An intriguing defense mechanism employed by the chicks involves spitting a foul-smelling orange liquid on themselves, deterring potential predators and increasing their chances of survival.

    In addition to their distinctive appearance and nesting habits, European rollers are known for their vocalizations, which include a harsh crow-like sound. They are opportunistic feeders, preying on a variety of creatures including insects, reptiles, and rodents. This diverse diet contributes to their adaptability and success in various habitats.

    However, the European roller is not without its challenges. The species serves as a host for the parasite Moniliformis gracilis, which can negatively impact their health and reproductive success. Additionally, habitat loss and degradation pose significant threats to their populations in certain regions.

    In recognition of these conservation concerns, the European roller was initially classified as “Near Threatened” in 2005. However, subsequent assessments have downlisted the species to “Least Concern,” indicating that their populations are relatively stable on a global scale. Nevertheless, continued monitoring and conservation efforts are essential to ensure the long-term survival of this iconic bird species.

    Distribution

    Country
    Population est.
    Status
    Year
    Comments
    Afghanistan
    2019
    Breeding
    Albania
    2019
    Breeding
    Algeria
    2019
    Angola
    2019
    Armenia
    2019
    Breeding
    Austria
    2019
    Breeding
    Azerbaijan
    2019
    Breeding
    Bahrain
    2019
    Passage
    Belarus
    2019
    Breeding
    Belgium
    2019
    Vagrant
    Benin
    2019
    Bosnia And Herz.
    2019
    Breeding
    Botswana
    2019
    Bulgaria
    2019
    Burkina Faso
    2019
    Burundi
    2019
    Cameroon
    2019
    Cape Verde
    2019
    Vagrant
    Central Af. Rep.
    2019
    Chad
    2019
    China
    2019
    Breeding
    Comoros
    2019
    Vagrant
    Congo-Brazzaville
    2019
    Croatia
    2019
    Breeding
    Cyprus
    2019
    Czechia
    2019
    Breeding
    Côte D’ivoire
    2019
    DR Congo (Kinshasa)
    2019
    Denmark
    2019
    Passage
    Djibouti
    2019
    Egypt
    2019
    Eritrea
    2019
    Estonia
    2019
    Breeding
    Eswatini
    2019
    Ethiopia
    2019
    Faroe Islands
    2019
    Vagrant
    Finland
    2019
    Breeding
    France
    2019
    Gabon
    2019
    Gambia
    2019
    Georgia
    2019
    Breeding
    Germany
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Ghana
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Gibraltar
    2019
    Greece
    2019
    Guinea-Bissau
    2019
    Hungary
    2019
    Breeding
    Iceland
    2019
    Vagrant
    India
    2019
    Breeding
    Iran
    2019
    Iraq
    2019
    Ireland
    2019
    Vagrant
    Israel
    2019
    Breeding
    Italy
    2019
    Breeding
    Jordan
    2019
    Passage
    Kazakhstan
    2019
    Breeding
    Kenya
    2019
    Kuwait
    2019
    Passage
    Kyrgyzstan
    2019
    Breeding
    Latvia
    2019
    Breeding
    Lebanon
    2019
    Passage
    Lesotho
    2019
    Libya
    2019
    Liechtenstein
    2019
    Vagrant
    Lithuania
    2019
    Breeding
    Luxembourg
    2019
    Vagrant
    Malawi
    2019
    Mali
    2019
    Malta
    2019
    Mauritania
    2019
    Moldova
    2019
    Montenegro
    2019
    Breeding
    Morocco
    2019
    Mozambique
    2019
    Namibia
    2019
    Netherlands
    2019
    Vagrant
    Niger
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Nigeria
    2019
    North Macedonia
    2019
    Breeding
    Norway
    2019
    Vagrant
    Oman
    2019
    Passage
    Pakistan
    2019
    Breeding
    Poland
    2019
    Breeding
    Portugal
    2019
    Breeding
    Qatar
    2019
    Passage
    Romania
    2019
    Breeding
    Russia
    2019
    Breeding: European Russia, Central Asian Russia
    Rwanda
    2019
    San Marino
    2019
    Origin Uncertain
    Saudi Arabia
    2019
    Passage
    Senegal
    2019
    Serbia
    2019
    Breeding
    Seychelles
    2019
    Vagrant
    Slovakia
    2019
    Breeding
    Slovenia
    2019
    Breeding
    Somalia
    2019
    South Africa
    2019
    South Sudan
    2019
    Passage
    Spain
    2019
    Sudan
    2019
    Sweden
    0
    Official estimate
    EX
    2019
    Extinct locally
    Switzerland
    2019
    Breeding
    Syria
    2019
    São Tomé & Príncipe
    2019
    Vagrant
    Tajikistan
    2019
    Breeding
    Tanzania
    2019
    Togo
    2019
    Vagrant
    Tunisia
    2019
    Turkey
    2019
    Breeding
    Turkmenistan
    2019
    Breeding
    UAE
    2019
    Uganda
    2019
    Ukraine
    2019
    United Kingdom
    2019
    Vagrant
    Uzbekistan
    2019
    Breeding
    Yemen
    2019
    Passage
    Zambia
    2019
    Zimbabwe
    2019

    Anything we've missed?

    Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!

    Suggest an edit

    Get to know me

    Terrestrial / Aquatic

    Altricial / Precocial

    Polygamous / Monogamous

    Dimorphic / Monomorphic (size)

    Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

    Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

    Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

    Migratory: Yes / No

    Domesticated: Yes / No

    Dangerous: Yes / No

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE
    Least Concern(IUCN)
    World Population 200,000 – 600,000

    5 – 20% decrease over 3 generations

    Added by BioDB
    Become a Patron

    Threats

    Habitat destruction / Climate change / Freshwater pollution / Marine pollution / Deforestation / Farming / Fishing practices / Poaching & wildlife trade / Invasive species / Parasites & diseases / Noise pollution / Light pollution

    My ID

    Scientific name: Coracias garrulus Explanation to scientific name:

    C. g. garrulus – Western European roller
    C. g. semenowi – Eastern European roller or Kashmir roller

     Other names:

    Blue roller
    Common roller
    Eurasian roller
    Roller

     Number of subspecies: 2 Name of subspecies:

    C. g. garrulus
    C. g. semenowi

    Physical traits

    Length: 29 – 32 cm (11 – 13 in) Weight: 27 – 160 g (0.95 – 5 oz) Lifespan: 9 years Wingspan: 52 – 58 cm (20 – 23 in) Incubation: 17 – 19 days Eggs: 2 – 6 eggs
    Habitats: Forest Shrubland Savannah/Grassland
    Regions: Africa Asia Europe
    Add to my list
      Saved In: