Blue-bellied Roller
Regenstein African Journey
Did You Know?
- Blue-bellied rollers are ambush predators. They usually hunt from a perching position and dive to ambush insects on the ground.
- They are named for their courtship behavior, which includes a dive with aerial somersaults. Mated pairs sometimes do this together.
- Some populations are decreasing due to deforestation, but these birds have a wide distribution overall.
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Overview
Scientific Name: Coracias cyanogaster
Class: Birds
Diet: Grasshoppers and other large insects
Range: Central and West Africa
Endangered Status: Least Concern
More Information
Blue-bellied rollers are stocky birds with short legs, about 10 inches in length. They are distinguished by their cream-colored head and neck and a brownish back, with royal blue breast, wings, and tail. They are somewhat social and can often be found in pairs or trios with other pairs nearby. Blue-bellied rollers build nests in tree cavities high above the ground and have 2–4 eggs per clutch. Incubation lasts 22–24 days. Once hatched, the young fledge after a month and become independent soon afterward.
