Purple Roller
Coracias naevius
The Purple Roller (Coracias naevius) is a uncommon roller found in 31 countries, weighing about 168 g. The purple roller, or rufous-crowned roller, is a medium-sized bird widespread in sub-Saharan Africa.
About the Purple Roller
The purple roller, or rufous-crowned roller, is a medium-sized bird widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. Compared with other rollers its colours are rather dull and its voice harsh and grating.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The purple roller is the largest of the rollers, growing to a length of 35 to 40 cm (14 to 16 in). Adults weigh from 145 to 200 g (5.1 to 7.1 oz) with an average weight of 168 g (5.9 oz). From a distance it appears a dull brownish bird with a white stripe over the eye, a patch of white on the nape and a dark tail. Northern populations tend to have a rufus crown while southern populations have a more olive-green crown. The underparts are purplish-pink streaked with white. The wings are long and rounded while the tail is square-cut.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Central African Republic, Djibouti, South Sudan.
When to see it
The Purple Roller can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Purple Roller?
- The purple roller is the largest of the rollers, growing to a length of 35 to 40 cm (14 to 16 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Purple Roller?
- The Purple Roller is a medium sized bird weighing about 168 g.
- Where can you see a Purple Roller?
- The Purple Roller occurs in 31 countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Botswana and Nigeria.
- What birds look similar to a Purple Roller?
- The Purple Roller is most easily confused with the Abyssinian Roller, the Blue-bellied Roller and the Indochinese Roller.
- Is the Purple Roller endangered?
- The Purple Roller is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Purple Roller for real
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