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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute	Lilac-breasted Roller	European Roller
Scientific Name	Coracias caudatus	Coracias garrulus
Order	Coraciiformes	Coraciiformes
Family	Coraciidae	Coraciidae
Conservation Status	Least Concern	Least Concern
Length	—	31.0 cm (12.2 in)
Wingspan	32.2 cm (12.7 in)	66.0 cm (26.0 in)
Weight	100.5 g (3.55 oz)	130.0 g (4.59 oz)
Diet	--	Large insects, especially beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets. Also takes small reptiles, frogs, and scorpions. Hunts …
Clutch Size	2-4	3-6
Population Trend	—	—

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Size Comparison

Body Length

Lilac-breasted Roller —

European Roller 31.0 cm

Wingspan

Lilac-breasted Roller 32.2 cm

European Roller 66.0 cm

Weight

Lilac-breasted Roller 100.5 g

European Roller 130.0 g

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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Lilac-breasted Roller only

🌾 Grassland

European Roller only

🌲 Forest

European Roller

Warm, dry, open country with scattered trees and nest holes. Breeds in tree cavities, earth banks, and nest boxes.

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Song & Call Comparison

Lilac-breasted Roller

European Roller

Song

A harsh, grating 'rack-rack' or 'quarrk' in flight. Gives a variety of sharp nasal calls at the nest. Not melodic; primary vocalizations are alarm and contact calls.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Lilac-breasted Roller

European Roller

Southern and eastern Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa. Winters in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Lilac-breasted Roller

Least Concern

European Roller

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How to Tell Them Apart

Lilac-breasted Roller

European Roller

Plumage

Turquoise-blue head, breast, and tail. Chestnut-brown back. Vivid ultramarine blue and black wing patches visible in flight.

Bill

Short, stout, dark hooked bill

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About These Birds

Lilac-breasted Roller

European Roller

The European roller gets its name from the spectacular rolling and tumbling aerial displays performed by males during courtship. It is the only roller species in Europe and one of the continent's most colorful birds. Declining across much of its western range due to agricultural intensification and habitat loss.

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Related Comparisons

Belted Kingfisher vs European Roller

look-alike

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