Bird with Beetle catch

This European Roller - Coracias garrulus has caught a beetle for a meal.

comments (8)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

I think this is another Lilac-breasted Roller, possibly a sub species:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilac-breasted_roller
(See "identification" section) Posted 8 years ago
1. Albert Kang
  
  Lion
  
  Yes, that's what I thought so too but was not sure. Posted 8 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

The European roller is a summer visitor to South Africa. Further identification notes are that the European roller does not have the long tail streamers, has blackish flight feathers and generally overall quite 'scruffy'! Posted 8 years ago
1. Albert Kang
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks, Claire Hamilton for the ID and explanation :) Posted 8 years ago
2. 1. Claire Hamilton
    
    Lion
    
    Most welcome! Posted 8 years ago
3. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you, Claire, I was way off! Posted 8 years ago
4. 1. Claire Hamilton
    
    Lion
    
    Not really, just a continent (if you don't include Morocco)! Posted 8 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Hehe. Was hoping you'd check out Albert's SA posts, glad you did! Posted 8 years ago

The European Roller

The European Roller is the only member of the roller family of birds to breed in Europe. Its overall range extends into the Middle East and Central Asia and Morocco.

Info 12 0

Similar species: Kingfisher, Bee-eater, Rollers

Species identified by Claire Hamilton