Abyssinian Roller
Coracias abyssinicus
A slim and beautiful roller with very long outer tail feathers. In flight, the spectacular wings are half pale blue and half dark blue. Found in dry savanna and other open country. Usually seen singly or in pairs. Easily separated from Lilac-breasted Roller by the blue throat. Occasionally lacks elongated outer tail feathers, and then very similar to European Roller, but separated by the dark blue rather than black outer wing. The calls are rough rasps.
Identification
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.
Taxonomy
The phylogenetic relationships among the Coracias species are shown below, from the molecular study by Johansson et al. (2018)
- Scientific name
- Coracias abyssinicus
- Authority
- Hermann, 1783
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Coraciidae
- Genus
- Coracias
Range and habitat
The Abyssinian roller is native to tropical Africa. Its range extends from southern Mauritania and Senegal in the west and to Ethiopia, Somalia and northern Kenya in the east. It also occurs in south-western Saudi Arabia and western Yemen. This is a common bird of warm open country with some trees, and has adapted to farmland and human habitation.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Abyssinian rollers often perch prominently on trees, posts or overhead wires, like giant shrikes, whilst watching for the large insects and small rodents on which they feed. They will dash into the smoke of a forest fire for disturbed invertebrates. They are fearless, and will dive and roll at humans and other intruders. The display of this bird is a lapwing-like display, with the twists and turns that give this group its English name. It nests in a scantily lined hole in a tree or building, and lays three to six eggs.
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Green-billed Malkoha
Phaenicophaeus tristis
Gray cuckoo with a remarkably long tail. Note dark red facial skin, pale greenish-yellow bill, and dark green gloss on the wings and tail. Chestnut-bellied and Black-bellied Malkohas can be similar; note Green-billed’s thin white border around the facial skin, dark eyes, and overall paler head and breast. Found in lowland and foothill forests and forest edges, as well as dense scrub and cultivated areas. Creeps through foliage like a squirrel. Gives various amphibian-like clucks and croaks.
McConnell's Flycatcher
Mionectes macconnelli
Small, drab forest bird. Note plain appearance and contrasting rufous belly. A widespread inhabitant of forest understory, but infrequently seen. Feeds on fruit and may associate with manakins at fruiting shrubs; also takes insects and follows mixed-species flocks. Very similar to Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, but is generally darker, lacks any pale edging on wings, and is less common in second-growth and disturbed habitats. Seldom heard except at leks.
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