(User template. Bird Song category. Attempt to clean up some copied text) |
m (slight rearrangement & other minor edits) |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
;[[:Category:Coracias|Coracias]] garrulus | ;[[:Category:Coracias|Coracias]] garrulus | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | 29-32 cm in length with a 52-58 cm wingspan | + | 29-32 cm in length with a 52-58 cm wingspan. |
*Mainly blue and brown | *Mainly blue and brown | ||
*Black flight feathers | *Black flight feathers | ||
| − | Sexes are similar, but the juvenile rather drabber | + | Sexes are similar, but the juvenile rather drabber. |
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | '''Breeds''' in much of [[Iberia]] and southern [[France]], [[Sardinia]], [[Sicily]] and parts of [[Italy]], and from [[Slovenia]] north to [[Poland]] and the Baltic States and east to [[ | + | '''Breeds''' in much of [[Iberia]] and southern [[France]], [[Sardinia]], [[Sicily]] and parts of [[Italy]], and from [[Slovenia]] north to [[Poland]] and the Baltic States and east to [[Kazakhstan]] and south-west [[Siberia]]. Occurs throughout [[Turkey]] and on [[Cyprus]], in north [[Syria]] and and small area of [[Israel]] and [[Jordan]], over much [[Iraq]] and [[Iran]] and east to [[Kashmir]] and western [[China]]. Also breeds across much of North-West [[Africa]]. Has long been in decline over much of range, especially in the north, probably due to climatic changes and habitat loss. Formerly bred in [[Germany]], [[Denmark]], [[Sweden]] and [[Finland]] and once more widespread in the [[Middle East]]. |
A summer visitor to breeding range leaving in August-October to winter mainly in East [[Africa]]. Return movement in April-May. | A summer visitor to breeding range leaving in August-October to winter mainly in East [[Africa]]. Return movement in April-May. | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
Frequently overshoots and '''vagrants''' recorded north to [[Iceland]], the [[Faroes]] and elsewhere in northern [[Europe]], also on the [[Azores]] and [[Madeira]], [[Canary Islands|Canaries]] and [[Cape Verde Islands]]. Vagrant to [[Britain]] but not recorded annually. The c.240 [[British Isles]] records are spread over May-October, mostly May-July with a smaller peak in September, and the majority are in the south and east of [[England]] but also north to [[Shetland]] and west to [[Skokholm]]. | Frequently overshoots and '''vagrants''' recorded north to [[Iceland]], the [[Faroes]] and elsewhere in northern [[Europe]], also on the [[Azores]] and [[Madeira]], [[Canary Islands|Canaries]] and [[Cape Verde Islands]]. Vagrant to [[Britain]] but not recorded annually. The c.240 [[British Isles]] records are spread over May-October, mostly May-July with a smaller peak in September, and the majority are in the south and east of [[England]] but also north to [[Shetland]] and west to [[Skokholm]]. | ||
| + | Apart from ''C. garrulus'', no other roller breeds in Europe. | ||
| + | ==Taxonomy== | ||
Nominate race is found over north of range and slightly paler ''semenowi'' from [[Iraq]] to [[China]]. | Nominate race is found over north of range and slightly paler ''semenowi'' from [[Iraq]] to [[China]]. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Open pinewoods and edges and clearings in oakwoods, also trees along canals, rivers and roadsides, in cultivated areas with scattered trees, often in steppe and semi-desert in the east of the range. | Open pinewoods and edges and clearings in oakwoods, also trees along canals, rivers and roadsides, in cultivated areas with scattered trees, often in steppe and semi-desert in the east of the range. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | Inclined to sit openly on trees, posts or overhead wires | + | Inclined to sit openly on trees, posts or overhead wires. |
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
| − | Large insects, lizards and frogs | + | Large insects, lizards and frogs. |
====Flight==== | ====Flight==== | ||
Strong and direct | Strong and direct | ||
Revision as of 16:33, 13 March 2009
- Coracias garrulus
Identification
29-32 cm in length with a 52-58 cm wingspan.
- Mainly blue and brown
- Black flight feathers
Sexes are similar, but the juvenile rather drabber.
Distribution
Breeds in much of Iberia and southern France, Sardinia, Sicily and parts of Italy, and from Slovenia north to Poland and the Baltic States and east to Kazakhstan and south-west Siberia. Occurs throughout Turkey and on Cyprus, in north Syria and and small area of Israel and Jordan, over much Iraq and Iran and east to Kashmir and western China. Also breeds across much of North-West Africa. Has long been in decline over much of range, especially in the north, probably due to climatic changes and habitat loss. Formerly bred in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Finland and once more widespread in the Middle East.
A summer visitor to breeding range leaving in August-October to winter mainly in East Africa. Return movement in April-May.
Frequently overshoots and vagrants recorded north to Iceland, the Faroes and elsewhere in northern Europe, also on the Azores and Madeira, Canaries and Cape Verde Islands. Vagrant to Britain but not recorded annually. The c.240 British Isles records are spread over May-October, mostly May-July with a smaller peak in September, and the majority are in the south and east of England but also north to Shetland and west to Skokholm.
Apart from C. garrulus, no other roller breeds in Europe.
Taxonomy
Nominate race is found over north of range and slightly paler semenowi from Iraq to China.
Habitat
Open pinewoods and edges and clearings in oakwoods, also trees along canals, rivers and roadsides, in cultivated areas with scattered trees, often in steppe and semi-desert in the east of the range.
Behaviour
Inclined to sit openly on trees, posts or overhead wires.
Diet
Large insects, lizards and frogs.
Flight
Strong and direct
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Coracias garrulus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Wikipedia
- www.mlahanas.de
