European Roller

Coracias garrulus Linnaeus, 1758

European Roller Coracias garrulus breeds in western and central parts of the Palearctic and spends the non-breeding season in Africa. It is the only roller that breeds in Europe. The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1758. Its breeding grounds extend through southern and east-central Europe and into north-western Africa and western Asia, while its winter quarters lie south of the Sahara. It uses warm, open country with scattered trees, and in Africa it is found in dry wooded savanna and bushy plains. Nesting is usually in a tree hole.

Order

Coraciiformes

Family

Coraciidae — Rollers

Breeding range

Palearctic: w, c

Nonbreeding range

Africa