The Gökkuzgun (Granga): Europe’s Blue Jewel

The European Roller (Coracias garrulus) is a stunning bird known by many names. In Cyprus is commonly known by two Greek names: Κράγκα (Krágka) and Χαλκοκουρούνα (Chalkokourouna). A third, less common name, Χρυσοκαρακάξα (Chrysokarakáxa), is also occasionally used. This vibrant species is the only member of the roller family that breeds in Europe, bringing a splash of brilliant colour to warm, open landscapes.

Cyprus holds significant importance for the European Roller, as it hosts a notable portion of the global population. The bird is a summer visitor to the island, typically arriving at the end of April to breed and departing between August and mid-September for its wintering grounds in sub-Saharan Africa.

You can often spot this colourful bird in farmland areas, usually perched on electricity wires or other high vantage points. Key locations to see them include the Akamas peninsula, the Diarizos, Xeros, and Pentaschoinos valleys, and the Karpasia peninsula. Due to its vibrant turquoise, blue, and chestnut-brown plumage, it is considered one of the five most colourful birds in both Cyprus and Europe.

Scientific Classification and Names

The European Roller’s scientific name, Coracias garrulus, carries meaningful origins. The genus name Coracias derives from the Greek korakias, referring to a type of crow, possibly the red-billed chough. The species name garrulus comes from Latin and means ‘chattering,’ perfectly describing the bird’s harsh, vocal nature.

Two recognised subspecies exist:

1. g. garrulus: The nominate subspecies, breeding in north-western Africa, southern Europe, and east through to south-western Siberia

1. g. semenowi: Also called the Kashmir roller, breeding from Iraq and southern Iran east through to Xinjiang in western China

A Spectacular Appearance

The European Roller presents an unforgettable sight. This stocky bird reaches 29-32 cm in length, similar to a Eurasian jay, with a wingspan of 52-58 cm. Its plumage creates a stunning palette:

Head and under parts: Brilliant turquoise-blue with a greenish wash

Back: Rich, warm orange-brown or rusty colour

Wings: Black flight feathers contrast dramatically with bright azure-blue at the base

Rump and tail: Vivid violet-blue

Males and females appear similar, though females may be slightly duller. Juveniles show a much drabber version of the adult plumage, with buffish faces and a general brownish suffusion.

Preferred Habitat and Distribution

The European Roller thrives in warm, dry, open country with scattered trees. It favours oak and pine woodlands with clearings, but also inhabits farms, orchards, pastures, river valleys, and even semi-desert areas with isolated trees. It typically occurs in lowlands but can reach elevations of 1,000 m in Europe and up to 2,300 m in Morocco.

Its breeding range extends across southern and east-central Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and through Central Asia to western China. The European breeding population is currently estimated at 40,000 to 80,000 pairs.

An Epic Migratory Journey

The European Roller undertakes one of the bird world’s remarkable migrations. It is a long-distance migrant, wintering exclusively in Africa south of the Sahara. Different populations follow distinct routes:

South-western European birds: Migrate to south-west Africa (Angola, Namibia, Botswana), with some crossing the Sahara directly while others follow the west African coast

Eastern European populations: Winter further east in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana

Asian populations: Some migrate through India before crossing to Africa

The Sahel region, particularly around Lake Chad, serves as a crucial refuelling stop for many populations during autumn migration. In spring, eastern birds return via the Arabian Peninsula. One of Africa’s most spectacular migrations occurs in April, when tens of thousands of rollers pass along the East African coast, with up to 50,000 birds recorded passing a single site in Somalia.

Behaviour and Ecology

Feeding Habits

The European Roller hunts from prominent perches—trees, posts, or overhead wires—swooping down to catch prey on the ground. Its diet consists mainly of large insects:

Beetles (Coleoptera) dominate adult diets

Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets) form the primary food for nestlings

They also take spiders, small reptiles, rodents, frogs, and occasionally scorpions, centipedes, and small birds

Breeding Biology

European Rollers are obligate secondary cavity nesters, relying on natural tree holes or old woodpecker excavations. They occasionally use crevices in rocks, buildings, or sandy banks. Pairs form monogamous bonds and often maintain nest site fidelity for up to three years.

The female lays 2-6 glossy white eggs in an unlined cavity, usually 5-10 m above ground. Both sexes incubate for 17-19 days, though the female takes the primary role. The young fledge after 26-27 days, with both parents caring for them. Most birds first breed at two years old, and the maximum recorded lifespan is 9 years.

Voice and Display

Despite its stunning appearance, the European Roller produces surprisingly harsh calls. Listen for a dry, crow-like “chack” or a rasping “kraaaah,” reminiscent of a jay. It remains mostly silent outside the breeding season.

Defence Mechanism

The European Roller chick possesses a remarkable defence adaptation. When threatened by a predator, the nestling vomits a foul-smelling orange liquid onto itself. This pungent substance deters attackers and also alerts returning parents that danger may be present.

Conservation Status and Threats

The European Roller has experienced significant population declines across much of its range, particularly in northern and Western Europe. It has become extinct as a breeding bird in Sweden and Germany, and populations in the Baltic States and Russia have collapsed. The global population is estimated at 100,000-500,000 mature individuals.

Major Threats

Agricultural intensification: Conversion of pastures to arable land, removal of hedges and trees, and loss of foraging habitat

Pesticide use: Reduces insect prey availability and causes secondary poisoning

Nest site loss: Removal of old trees with cavities suitable for nesting

Hunting and trapping: Thousands killed for food in Oman and along migration routes in Arabia

Electrocution: Use of power lines as hunting perches poses a growing risk

Conservation Successes

Despite these challenges, conservation efforts have yielded positive results. Provisioning of nest boxes has led to population recoveries in Croatia, France, Hungary, Serbia, and Italy. Research shows that while nest boxes provide short-term solutions, restoring foraging habitat remains essential for long-term conservation, particularly at the northern edge of the species’ range.

The IUCN Red List currently classifies the European Roller as Least Concern globally, though European populations continue to decline at a moderate rate of 5-20% over three generations. In South Africa, where the species winters, regional assessments list it as Near Threatened due to range contractions and climate change threats.

Cultural Significance

The European Roller holds a special place in human culture across its range. In Africa, where it winters, it has various local names including the Afrikaans “Europese Troupant,” Sesotho “letleretlere-la-mose,” and Zulu “Ifefeliluhlaza”. These names testify to the bird’s remarkable journey that connects continents and cultures each year.