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European Roller | Coracias garrulus
The European Roller is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Coraciidae bird family group which includes birds such as Typical Rollers. The description for the European Roller (Latin name Coracias garrulus) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Coracias garrulus can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 446 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 168. You will find a picture of the European Roller on page 192. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the European Roller between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition The European Roller is known in Afrikaans as Europese Troupant. The European Roller has a height of 31 cms and weighs around 130 gms. The head is coloured blue while the bill is coloured black. The Coracias garrulus has a blue-green coloured throat, yellow legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are brown. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is blue Eyes are brown Bill is black Legs are yellow Throat is blue-green Back is brown Feeding Habits ...The Coracias garrulus attacks its prey aerially and feeds on wing or takes the prey to a secluded venue where it is killed, torn into small pieces and eaten This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ... |
