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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute	European Roller	Broad-billed Roller
Scientific Name	Coracias garrulus	Eurystomus glaucurus
Order	Coraciiformes	Coraciiformes
Family	Coraciidae	Coraciidae
Conservation Status	Least Concern	Least Concern
Length	31.0 cm (12.2 in)	—
Wingspan	66.0 cm (26.0 in)	39.6 cm (15.6 in)
Weight	130.0 g (4.59 oz)	117.16666666666667 g (4.13 oz)
Diet	Large insects, especially beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets. Also takes small reptiles, frogs, and scorpions. Hunts …	--
Clutch Size	3-6	2-3
Population Trend	—	—

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Size Comparison

Body Length

European Roller 31.0 cm

Broad-billed Roller —

Wingspan

European Roller 66.0 cm

Broad-billed Roller 39.6 cm

Weight

European Roller 130.0 g

Broad-billed Roller 117.16666666666667 g

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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

European Roller only

🌲 Forest

Broad-billed Roller only

None

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

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.

Broad-billed Roller

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Geographic Range & Migration

European Roller

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

Broad-billed Roller

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

European Roller

Least Concern

Broad-billed Roller

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How to Tell Them Apart

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

Broad-billed Roller

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About These Birds

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.

Broad-billed Roller

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Related Comparisons

Belted Kingfisher vs European Roller

look-alike

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