Abyssinian Roller vs Blue-bellied Roller

Abyssinian Roller

Coracias abyssinicus

Medium102 gShrubland

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Solrac1993 Carlos Vermeersch Santana · Public domain

Blue-bellied Roller

Coracias cyanogaster

Medium142 gWoodland

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Drew Avery · CC BY 2.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Abyssinian Roller and Blue-bellied Roller.