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ShrublandCavity nestMedium · 102 g
ID tip
The Abyssinian roller is a large bird, nearly the size of a jackdaw at 28–30 cm (11–12 in). It has a warm brown back, with the rest of the plumage mainly blue. Adults have 12 cm (4.7 in) long tail streamers. Sexes are similar, but the juvenile is a drabber version of the adult. Abyssinian roller is striking in its strong direct flight, with the brilliant blues of the wings contrasting with the brown back and the long tail streamers trailing behind. The call of the Abyssinian roller is a harsh crow-like gak sound, or a screeched aaaargh.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Abyssinian Roller
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 9 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is December, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Abyssinian Roller
The map shades 26 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Spain.
About the Abyssinian Roller
The Abyssinian roller, or Senegal roller, is a member of the roller family of birds which breeds across tropical Africa in a belt south of the Sahara, known as the Sahel. It is resident in the southern part of its range, but northern breeding populations are short-distance migrants, moving further south after the wet season.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Blue-bellied RollerCoracias cyanogasterThe blue-bellied roller is a large bird, nearly the size of a jackdaw at 28–30 cm (11–12 in).
Purple RollerCoracias naeviusThe purple roller is the largest of the rollers, growing to a length of 35 to 40 cm (14 to 16 in).
Racket-tailed RollerCoracias spatulatusThe racket-tailed roller is so named for the conspicuous elongated outer feathers on its tail which have long streamers ending in paddle-shaped tips.
Side by side: Abyssinian Roller vs Indochinese Roller · Abyssinian Roller vs Purple Roller · Abyssinian Roller vs Blue-bellied Roller
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