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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut	Purple Roller	European Roller
Nom scientifique	Coracias naevius	Coracias garrulus
Ordre	Coraciiformes	Coraciiformes
Famille	Coraciidae	Coraciidae
Statut de conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern
Longueur	—	31,0 cm (12.2 in)
Envergure	36,4 cm (14.3 in)	66,0 cm (26.0 in)
Poids	162,5 g (5.73 oz)	130,0 g (4.59 oz)
Régime alimentaire	--	Large insects, especially beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets. Also takes small reptiles, frogs, and scorpions. Hunts …
Taille de la couvée	2-4	3-6
Population Trend	—	—

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Size Comparison

Body Length

Purple Roller —

European Roller 31,0 cm

Envergure

Purple Roller 36,4 cm

European Roller 66,0 cm

Poids

Purple Roller 162,5 g

European Roller 130,0 g

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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Aucun(e)

Purple Roller only

Aucun(e)

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

Purple Roller

European Roller

Chant

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

Purple Roller

European Roller

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

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Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Purple Roller

Least Concern

European Roller

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How to Tell Them Apart

Purple Roller

European Roller

Plumage

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

Bec

Short, stout, dark hooked bill

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About These Birds

Purple 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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