Eurystomus glaucurus
The Broad-billed Roller, *Eurystomus glaucurus*, is a striking member of the Coraciidae family, renowned for its aerial agility and vibrant plumage. Measuring approximately 29-30 cm in length with a wingspan of 65-70 cm and weighing 130-150 grams, this medium-sized bird exhibits a deep purplish-brown head and back, contrasting with a lighter purplish chest and a brilliant iridescent blue belly and rump. Its most distinctive field mark is its broad, flattened, bright red-orange bill, which giv...
Found in open woodlands, savannas, cultivated areas, and forest edges, often near rivers or wetlands. Primarily occurs at low to mid-elevations, typically below 2000 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on large flying insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, cicadas, winged termites, and moths, caught on the wing. Occasionally preys on small vertebrates like lizards.
Broad-billed Rollers are diurnal and highly active, often perching conspicuously on tall, exposed branches or telephone wires, scanning for prey. Their foraging strategy is a classic 'perch-and-pounce' method, launching themselves into the air to catch large insects in flight, sometimes engaging ...
The Broad-billed Roller has a wide distribution across Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. The nominate subspecies, *Eurystomus glaucurus glaucurus*, breeds primarily in southern and central Africa, from Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo east to Tanzania, and south to northern South Afri...
Least Concern
- The name 'Roller' comes from the spectacular, acrobatic courtship flight displays performed by males, involving dramatic dives and 'rolling' maneuvers. - Unlike many other rollers that forage on the ground, the Broad-billed Roller is an aerial hunter, catching most of its prey in flight. - Its ...