Leptosomus discolor
The Cuckoo-roller, *Leptosomus discolor*, is a captivating and taxonomically enigmatic bird, being the sole member of its own family, Leptosomidae, and order, Leptosomiformes. Males are spectacularly iridescent, sporting a metallic blue-green head and upperparts, contrasting with clean pale grey to white underparts, and measure around 40-50 cm in length. A striking black eye-patch further distinguishes the male's elegant profile. Females present a dramatically different appearance, featuring ...
Found in a variety of wooded habitats, from humid evergreen forests to dry deciduous woodlands, savannas with scattered trees, and cultivated areas. It occurs from coastal lowlands up to montane forests around 2000 meters in elevation.
Mainly insectivorous, feeding on large insects such as mantises, grasshoppers, cicadas, and beetles, often caught in flight. They also consume caterpillars, chameleons, geckos, and occasionally berries.
Cuckoo-rollers are diurnal birds, often observed perched high in the forest canopy, maintaining an upright posture before sallying forth. Their primary foraging strategy involves aerial hawking, where they launch themselves from a perch to snatch large insects in mid-air, but they also glean cate...
The Cuckoo-roller is endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros Islands, where it is a widespread resident. On Madagascar, it is found throughout the island's diverse forest and woodland habitats, from the moist eastern rainforests to the drier western deciduous forests and spiny thickets in the south...
Least Concern
- The Cuckoo-roller is so unique that it is the only species in its entire family (Leptosomidae) and order (Leptosomiformes). - Its name is somewhat misleading; it is not closely related to true cuckoos (order Cuculiformes) or true rollers (order Coraciiformes). - The spectacular aerial displays ...