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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute	European Roller	Blue-throated Roller
Scientific Name	Coracias garrulus	Eurystomus gularis
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)	29.7 cm (11.7 in)
Weight	130.0 g (4.59 oz)	97.91666666666667 g (3.45 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

Blue-throated Roller —

Wingspan

European Roller 66.0 cm

Blue-throated Roller 29.7 cm

Weight

European Roller 130.0 g

Blue-throated Roller 97.91666666666667 g

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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

🌲 Forest

European Roller only

None

Blue-throated 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.

Blue-throated Roller

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Geographic Range & Migration

European Roller

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

Blue-throated Roller

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

European Roller

Least Concern

Blue-throated 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

Blue-throated 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.

Blue-throated Roller

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Related Comparisons

Belted Kingfisher vs European Roller

look-alike

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