European Roller
Coracias garrulus
The European roller is a stocky bird, the size of a Eurasian jay at 29–32 cm (11–13 in) in length with a 52–58 cm (20–23 in) wingspan. It is mainly blue with an orange-brown back. The subspecies C. g. semenowi is slightly paler then the nominate. The European roller is striking in its strong direct flight, with the brilliant blue contrasting with blue-black ends of the flight feathers. Sexes are similar, but the juvenile is a drabber version of the adult. The European roller is similar in appearance and behaviour to the Abyssinian roller.
ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lilac-breasted Roller
Coracias caudatus
In the field, these robust, large-headed birds are often perched alone on a tree in a grassy clearing, and are almost unmistakable with their colourful plumage tones. The lilac throat of the nominate subspecies C. c. caudatus deepens into a darker lilac breast. The crown to mantle is olive, and the cheeks and ear coverts a lilac-rufous. In subspecies C. c. lorti however, the crown to mantle is greenish blue instead of olive, and the breast azure. The throat is lilac, and some lilac-throated rollers have a lilac patch or rufous-brown tinges on the lower abdomen. Voice: The call of a lilac-breasted roller is a harsh, sawing "rak rak rak" that is given during flight. Usually, the bird will perch to sing.
ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Where you might meet both
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Play today's Daily BirdPhotos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: European Roller and Lilac-breasted Roller.