Coraciidae - rollers
There are 12 species in this family. Rollers are crow-sized birds found in warm areas of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the islands of the South Pacific. The two inner toes on their feet are connected, and they have small bills and medium to long tail feathers. Most rollers are some combination of blue and brown in color. They get their name from their display flight. They fly straight up into the air and then fold in their wings and free fall towards the ground; they then roll over and fly up again! They eat insects while they are in flight and often perch on a branch waiting for prey to go by.
World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable
Endangered Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.
US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game
New Hampshire Species |
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North/Central American Species |
None |
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Additional Information
Key: Profile Photos Video Audio
Blue-bellied Roller - Coracias cyanogaster
Blue-bellied rollers are found in western and central Africa, from Senegal eastward to southern Sudan.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
European Roller - Coracias garrulus
The European roller is found from northwest Africa, southwest and south-central Europe, east through Asia Minor to northwest Iran and southwest Siberia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Indian Roller - Coracias benghalensis
The Indian roller Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Lilac-breasted Roller - Coracias caudatus
The lilac-breasted roller is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
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