Coracias – Old World rollers
One of the most vibrant and beautiful birds in existence
The rollers, an Old World family of close passerine birds related to kingfishers and bee-eaters, include the genus Coracias. They have the same colorful look as previous groupings, with a predominance of blues and browns.
Hunters that watch and wait are called Coracias rollers. They wait patiently on a tree or a post before swooping down on their victim, taking it back to a perch in their beak, and then dismembering it. Small vertebrates, including frogs, lizards, rodents, baby birds, and a variety of terrestrial invertebrates, are taken. They hunt animals that many other birds avoid, such as snakes, hairy caterpillars, and bright-colored insects. When hunting, they often perch conspicuously, like enormous shrikes.
Species in this genus
Indian roller
With its splendid plumage, it has earned its place as a jewel of the skies
European roller
Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe