Blue-bellied Roller
Coracias cyanogaster
The Blue-bellied Roller (Coracias cyanogaster) is a rare roller found in 15 countries, weighing about 142 g. The blue-bellied roller is a member of the roller family of birds which breeds across Africa in a narrow belt from Senegal to northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo.
About the Blue-bellied Roller
The blue-bellied roller is a member of the roller family of birds which breeds across Africa in a narrow belt from Senegal to northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is resident, apart from some local seasonal movements, in mature moist savannah dominated by Isoberlinia trees.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The blue-bellied roller is a large bird, nearly the size of a jackdaw at 28–30 cm (11–12 in). It has a very dark brown back, buffy or chalky white head, neck and breast, with the rest of the plumage mainly blue. Adults have 6 cm (2.4 in) tail streamers. Sexes are similar, but the juvenile is a drabber version of the adult. The blue-bellied roller is striking in its strong direct flight, with the brilliant blues of the wings contrasting with the dark back and cream colored head, and the tail streamers trailing behind. The call of blue-bellied roller is a harsh clicking ga-ga-ga sound.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in India.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a winter visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Blue-bellied Roller?
- The blue-bellied roller is a large bird, nearly the size of a jackdaw at 28–30 cm (11–12 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Blue-bellied Roller?
- The Blue-bellied Roller is a medium sized bird weighing about 142 g.
- Where can you see a Blue-bellied Roller?
- The Blue-bellied Roller occurs in 15 countries, including the Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Benin.
- What birds look similar to a Blue-bellied Roller?
- The Blue-bellied Roller is most easily confused with the Racket-tailed Roller, the Purple-winged Roller and the Abyssinian Roller.
- Is the Blue-bellied Roller endangered?
- The Blue-bellied Roller is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Blue-bellied Roller for real
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