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[[Image:European_Roller.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Kite|Kite}}<br />[[Extremadura]], [[Spain]], July 2004]]
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[[Image:European_Roller.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by Kite]]
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;[[:Category:Coracias|Coracias]] garrulus
==Identification==
==Identification==
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European Roller
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29-32 cm in length with a 52-58 cm wingspan.
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Coracias garrulus
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*Mainly blue and brown
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RANGE Breeds in much of Iberia and southern France, Sardinia, Sicily and parts of Italy, and from Slovenia north to Poland and the Baltic States and east to Kazakstan and south-west Siberia. Occurs throughout Turkey and on Cyprus, in north Syria and and small area of Israel and Jordan, over much Iraq and Iran and east to Kashmir and western China. Also breeds across much of North-West Africa. Has long been in decline over much of range, especially in the north, probably due to climatic changes and habitat loss. Formerly bred in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Finland and once more widespread in the Middle East.
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*Black flight feathers
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Sexes are similar, but the '''juvenile''' is rather drabber.
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==Distribution==
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[[Image:Roller web.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|Constable|Constable}}<br />Camargue, [[France]], August 2009 ]]
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'''Breeds''' in much of [[Iberia]] and southern [[France]], [[Sardinia]], [[Sicily]] and parts of [[Italy]], and from [[Slovenia]] north to [[Poland]] and the [[Baltic States]] and east to [[Kazakhstan]] and south-west [[Siberia]]. Occurs throughout [[Turkey]] and on [[Cyprus]], in north [[Syria]] and and small area of [[Israel]] and [[Jordan]], over much [[Iraq]] and [[Iran]] and east to [[Kashmir]] and western [[China]]. Also breeds across much of North-West [[Africa]]. Has long been in decline over much of range, especially in the north, probably due to climatic changes and habitat loss. Formerly bred in [[Germany]], [[Denmark]], [[Sweden]] and [[Finland]] and once more widespread in the [[Middle East]].
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A summer visitor to breeding range leaving in August-October to winter mainly in East Africa. Return movement in April-May. Frequently overshoots and vagrants recorded north to Iceland, the Faroes and elsewhere in northern Europe, also on the Azores and Madeira, Canaries and Cape Verde Islands. Vagrant to Britain but not recorded annually. The c.240 British Isles records are spread over May-October, mostly May-July with a smaller peak in September, and the majority are in the south and east of England but also north to Shetland and west to Skokholm
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A summer visitor to breeding range leaving in August-October to winter mainly in East [[Africa]]. Return movement in April-May.
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HABITAT Open pinewoods and edges and clearings in oakwoods, also trees along canals, rivers and roadsides, in cultivated areas with scattered trees, often in steppe and semi-desert in the east of the range.
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Frequently overshoots and '''vagrants''' recorded north to [[Iceland]], the [[Faroes]] and elsewhere in northern [[Europe]], also on the [[Azores]] and [[Madeira]], [[Canary Islands|Canaries]] and [[Cape Verde Islands]]. Vagrant to [[Britain]] but not recorded annually. The c.240 [[British Isles]] records are spread over May-October, mostly May-July with a smaller peak in September, and the majority are in the south and east of [[England]] but also north to [[Shetland]] and west to [[Skokholm]].
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SUBSPECIES Nominate race is found over north of range and slightly paler semenowi from Iraq to China.
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Apart from ''C. garrulus'', no other roller breeds in Europe.
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==European Roller possible sighting Beas Huelva==
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[[Image:PAS09051201BF.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|crs|crs}}<br />Danube Delta, [[Romania]], May 2009]]
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During a cycle ride along public cycleway and through pine,eucalyptus and cork oak woods. Sitting on fence and first thought to be woodpecker. On reflection looking at reference pictures thinks sighting was European Roller. Next cyle ride will take camera. july 2005.
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==Taxonomy==
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====Subspecies====
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''Originally posted by '''davemo'''''
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There are 2 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
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==Bird Song==
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*''C. g. garrulus'':
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:*North [[Africa]], [[Europe]] to [[Iran]] and south-western [[Siberia]]; winters to south Africa
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*''C. g. semenowi'': is slightly paler
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:*[[Iraq]] to western Xinjiang and southern [[Kazakstan]]; winters to south Africa
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==Habitat==
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Open pinewoods and edges and clearings in oakwoods, also trees along canals, rivers and roadsides, in cultivated areas with scattered trees, often in steppe and semi-desert in the east of the range.
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==Behaviour==
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Inclined to sit openly on trees, posts or overhead wires.
''[[Media:Coracias garrulus (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
''[[Media:Coracias garrulus (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
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==References==
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug11}}#Wikipedia
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#www.mlahanas.de
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{{ref}}
==External Links==
==External Links==
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*[http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?mcats=all&what=allfields&si=Coracias+garrulus View more images of European Roller in the gallery]
A summer visitor to breeding range leaving in August-October to winter mainly in East Africa. Return movement in April-May.
Frequently overshoots and vagrants recorded north to Iceland, the Faroes and elsewhere in northern Europe, also on the Azores and Madeira, Canaries and Cape Verde Islands. Vagrant to Britain but not recorded annually. The c.240 British Isles records are spread over May-October, mostly May-July with a smaller peak in September, and the majority are in the south and east of England but also north to Shetland and west to Skokholm.
Apart from C. garrulus, no other roller breeds in Europe.
Open pinewoods and edges and clearings in oakwoods, also trees along canals, rivers and roadsides, in cultivated areas with scattered trees, often in steppe and semi-desert in the east of the range.
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