The week’s highlights of rare
bird sightings in the UK and Ireland include -
Baillon’s
Crake – Porzana pusilla – Malltraeth.
Collared
Flycatcher – Ficedula alibicillis – Donegal, Ireland.
European Roller
– Coracias garrulous – East Yorkshire.
European
Roller
The European Roller,
Coracias garrulus, is the only member of the roller family of birds to breed in
Europe. It migrates vast distances between
continents. It is a bird of warm, dry, open country with scattered trees. It
winters primarily in dry wooded savanna and bushy plains, where it typically
nests in tree holes.
Description
It is mainly blue
with an orange-brown back and black flight feathers. The head, neck and
underparts are light blue, whilst the upperparts are brownish-orange. A short,
thin black stripe runs through the eye and the tail is greenish-blue with a
darker base. In flight the brilliant azure blue leading edge and the
contrasting black wing-tips can be seen. Sexes are similar, but the juvenile is
a drabber version of the adult.
Call
The call is a
harsh crow-like sound. It gives a raucous series of calls when nervous.
Food
Mainly eats
flying insects, such as termite alates, beetles and locusts, rarely eating
small vertebrates. It typically hunts from a perch, waiting until prey gets
close before pouncing on it.
Breeding
The nest site is
situated in a hole in a large tree, building, cliff or riverbank. A clutch of
one to six, but most commonly four or five, eggs are laid from May to June. The
eggs are incubated, primarily by the female, for 17 to 19 days. The chicks develop quickly and fledge after 25 to 30
days. The young continue to be fed by adults for a further three weeks or more.
Conservation
Status – Near threatened
This species has
undergone rapid declines across its global range and it is consequently
considered Near Threatened. Declines have been most pronounced in northern
populations. Threats include persecution on migration in some Mediterranean
countries and hundreds, perhaps thousands, are shot for food in Oman every
spring. Use of pesticides reduces food availability, and the species is
sensitive to changing farming and forestry practices.
Birdwatching
Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures to
create a tour for you to see these Rollers during the South African summer
[October to April] or book on one of the following Aves scheduled tours: -
Aves Arid Birding
Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves Eastern Cape
Birding Tour / Safari /Adventure.
Aves Highlands /
Tembe Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves KZN Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North East Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North West
Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves Western Cape
Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves West Coast
Birding Tour / Safari /Adventure.