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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.

Rollers get their name from their display flight. They fly straight up into the air,  tuck in their wings, and free-fall towards the ground, then they roll over and fly up again.

Rollers eat insects while they are in flight and often perch on a branch waiting for prey to go by.

  • The Abyssinian roller is found in the tropical region south of the Sahara known as the Sahel. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Abyssinian Roller
    (Coracias abyssinicus)
    The Abyssinian roller is found in the tropical region south of the Sahara known as the Sahel. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Indian roller is found in 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. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Indian Roller
    (Coracias benghalensis)
    The Indian roller is found in 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. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • 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. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    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. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Blue-bellied rollers are found in western and central Africa, from Senegal eastward to southern Sudan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Blue-Bellied Roller
    (Coracias cyanogaster)
    Blue-bellied rollers are found in western and central Africa, from Senegal eastward to southern Sudan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The European roller is found from northwest Africa, southwest and south-central Europe, east through Asia Minor to northwest Iran and southwest Siberia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    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. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The rufous-crowned roller, also known as the purple roller, is found in sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rufous-Crowned Roller
    (Coracias naevia)
    The rufous-crowned roller, also known as the purple roller, is found in sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The racket-tailed roller is found in Angola, Botswana, The Democratic Republic of the Cogo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Racket-Tailed Roller
    (Coracias spatulatus)
    The racket-tailed roller is found in Angola, Botswana, The Democratic Republic of the Cogo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The purple-winged roller is found in Indonesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Purple-Winged Roller
    (Coracias temminckii)
    The purple-winged roller is found in Indonesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The azure dollarbird is found in Indonesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Azure Dollarbird
    (Eurystomus azureus)
    The azure dollarbird is found in Indonesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The broad-billed roller is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Broad-Billed Roller
    (Eurystomus glaucurus)
    The broad-billed roller is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Asian dollarbird is found in Asia a Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Asian Dollarbird
    (Eurystomus orientalis)
    The Asian dollarbird is found in Asia a Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

Rollers are crow-sized birds found in warm areas of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the islands of the South Pacific
Rollers are crow-sized birds found in warm areas of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the islands of the South Pacific

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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