Organism · Birds and early avialans
Coracias garrulus
Present
Living species illustration
Coracias garrulus
Overview
The European roller has a vivid turquoise body and a reddish-brown back. Behind its beautiful plumage lies a long journey between Eurasia and Africa, and a life spent seeking prey from high perches.[1]
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Key facts
Rather than excavating trees itself, it nests in natural cavities or holes left by other birds. An old hole in a tree becomes a starting point for new life. Both suitable nest sites and grassland foraging space are needed.[1]
Time and place
Today it is a migrant linking breeding grounds in Eurasia with nonbreeding grounds in Africa. In South Africa, it is described as a seasonal visitor generally arriving in October–November and leaving again in March–April.[1]
The time range describes source context, not the complete duration of this species.
Size, form and skeleton
It is a sturdy bird approximately 31 cm long. Its blue to turquoise body contrasts with a reddish-brown back and black bill. When the wings spread, the difference between dark flight feathers and bright blue areas is also visible.[1]
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Habitat and reproduction
It scans its surroundings from conspicuous perches and catches prey such as beetles and grasshoppers. Empty tree cavities or burrows left by other animals are used for breeding. A landscape combining broad foraging areas with old trees supports its life.[1]
Fossil discovery
The past of this bright bird is also preserved in bones. Late Pleistocene and Holocene European roller fossils have been reported from four sites on Croatia’s Adriatic coast. Juvenile bones from Vela Spila offered clues to breeding in the past.[2]
References
Research questions
Ancient fossils indicate where it once lived and bred, while observations today reveal migration and foraging. How changes in farmland and the loss of large trees affect nesting and feeding sites is also an important topic for research and conservation.[1][2]
Observation
Examine the bill and wings in turn. Different body structures can be found in the head and wings.[1]
Related organisms
dodoBirds and early avialansSource time context (not species duration) · ≈ 2.58–0 MaDifferent bodies among birds
Explore the bodies and life settings of the European roller and the dodo together. European roller: The European roller has a vivid turquoise body and a reddish-brown back. Behind its beautiful plumage lies a long journey between Eurasia and Africa, and a life spent seeking prey from high perches. Dodo: The dodo was a bird of Mauritius with a stout beak and small wings. Although familiar as a plump bird in pictures, museum reconstructions describe a more upright, slender posture.