European Roller

Afrikaans name: Europese Troupant

European Roller

Photo © Steven Herbert

Coracias garrulus

European Roller behaviour

These birds arrive in South Africa in large numbers around December each year. In suitable habitat, such as found in much of Kruger National Park, they are quite common before they leave after a few months. They are normally seen sitting on an exposed perch looking for prey on the ground. They are normally silent when visiting our country but may give off an alarm call if disturbed.

European Roller appearance

Male and female have similar plumage. The plumage of juveniles is much drabber. The European Roller is not as stunning to see as the more common Lilac-breasted Roller, but they are still attractive birds. They are biggish birds with a length of around 30 cm and a wingspan of 55 cm.

European Roller diet

Their food consists of insects, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. They hunt from an exposed perch and swoop to the ground to catch prey and then fly to another perch to eat.

European Roller breeding

These rollers do not breed in South or southern Africa. The arrive here in the southern hemisphere summer which is their non-breeding season. They breed in a number of northern hemisphere countries such as Russia, Portugal, Spain and Poland. Interestingly, none of the other rollers breed in Europe.

European Roller distribution and habitat

It is normally found in open woodland or savanna. They have a wide distribution across southern Europe, the Middle East and central Asia in the northern hemisphere summer after which they migrate to much of sub-Saharan Africa.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	412	Coracias garrulus garrulus
2nd	412	Coracias garrulus
3rd	412	Coracias garrulus
4th	412	Coracias garrulus
5th	446	Coracias garrulus
6th	446	Coracias garrulus
7th	85	Coracias garrulus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	412	European Roller
2nd	412	European Roller
3rd	412	European Roller
4th	412	European Roller
5th	446	European Roller
6th	446	European Roller
7th	85	European Roller

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	412	Europese Troupand
2nd	412	Europese Troupand
3rd	412	Europese Troupant
4th	412	Europese Troupant
5th	446	Europese Troupant
6th	446	Europese Troupant
7th	85	Europese Troupant

References and further reading

Wild Issue 40 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 68

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 124

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 167

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 29

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 42

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 264

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 384

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 256

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 295

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 388

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 279

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 254

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 48

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 220

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 254

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 128

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 182

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 39

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 149

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 134

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 77

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 165

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 95

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 101

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 101

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 179

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds