The European roller is the only member of the roller family breeding in Europe. Its range extends into the Maghreb, West Asia and Central Asia. It winters in southern Africa, primarily in dry wooded savanna and bushy plains. It occurs in a wide variety of habitats, but avoids treeless plains. It usually nests in tree holes.
Region
Europe, West and Central Asia; winters in Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Breeds across southern and eastern Europe into the Maghreb, the Middle East, and Central Asia, avoiding extensive treeless plains. Prefers open woodlands, traditional farmland with scattered trees, river valleys, orchards, and steppe with shelterbelts. Nests in natural cavities, old woodpecker holes, buildings, or nest boxes. In the nonbreeding season it winters mainly in southern Africa, using dry wooded savanna, bushy plains, and open miombo or mopane. It avoids dense forest and very high mountains.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The European roller is the only roller that breeds in Europe and is named for its dramatic aerial “rolling” display during courtship. Adults show vivid turquoise and blue plumage with a rufous back and dark flight feathers. Populations have declined in parts of Europe due to habitat loss and pesticide-driven insect declines, but nest boxes and retention of old trees help conservation. It often hunts from roadside wires and other prominent perches.
At Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Jamnagar
At Hesaraghatta Lake
In flight, Hungary
Eggs of Coracias garrulus
A European roller bringing food to her nest
Temperament
wary and territorial during breeding, often conspicuous on perches
Flight Pattern
strong flier with deep wingbeats and acrobatic rolling display dives
Social Behavior
Typically forms monogamous pairs and nests in cavities, sometimes in loose colonies where sites are abundant. Both sexes incubate and feed the young. They spend much time perched high to watch for prey and make rapid sallies to the ground. Post-breeding, birds may gather on abundant food sources before migration.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are harsh, corvid-like rolling calls, often rendered as a grating ‘raak’ or ‘kraak’. During displays, calls become more excited and rasping, with growls and chattering notes.
Plumage
Bright turquoise-blue head, breast, and underparts with a warm rufous-brown back and scapulars; blue wings with black flight feathers and a bold dark trailing edge.
Diet
Feeds mainly on large insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and cicadas. Also takes spiders and occasionally small vertebrates, including lizards, frogs, and small rodents. Hunts from exposed perches, dropping to the ground or making short flights to seize prey, and will sometimes hawk insects in the air.
Preferred Environment
Favours open country with scattered trees, field margins, fallow plots, and lightly grazed pasture. Often forages along roadsides, recently mown fields, and firebreaks where prey is easy to spot.
