Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Broad-billed Roller (Eurystomus glaucurus)
Broad-billed Roller

Broad-billed Roller

Eurystomus glaucurus

The Broad-billed Roller, Eurystomus glaucurus, presents a delightful palette of colors, measuring 29-30 cm in length. It boasts a warm-toned back and head, a lilac foreneck and breast, and a predominantly brown plumage. The species is distinguished by its bright yellow, broad bill. Both sexes are similar in appearance, while the juvenile is a more subdued version of the adult, with a paler breast.

Identification Tips

In flight, the Broad-billed Roller is unmistakable, displaying a strong and direct flight pattern. The brilliant blues of the wings and tail create a striking contrast against the brown back, making it a spectacle when observed in motion.

Habitat

This species favors open woodlands adorned with tall trees, showing a preference for areas in proximity to water. The Broad-billed Roller often perches conspicuously on trees, posts, or overhead wires, reminiscent of giant shrikes in their stature and poise.

Distribution

The Broad-billed Roller is a widespread resident across tropical Africa and Madagascar, avoiding only the most arid regions. It is a migratory bird, moving from the northern and southern extents of its range towards the equatorial belt during the dry season.

Behaviour

Most of the day, the Broad-billed Roller remains inactive, save for the occasional defense of its territory. However, as the afternoon wanes, they become more active, often congregating in groups of up to 100 to feed on swarming ants and termites. They exhibit a unique drinking behavior, skimming water surfaces with their bills while in flight.

Song & Calls

The vocalization of the Broad-billed Roller is a distinctive snarling sound, described as a "k-k-k-k-k-r-r-r-r-r," which can be heard during its aerial displays.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in tree cavities, where the Broad-billed Roller nests in an unlined hole and lays a clutch of 2-3 eggs.

Similar Species

While unique in its broad bill and coloration, the Broad-billed Roller may be confused with other roller species. However, its flight pattern and calls are good distinguishing features.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Broad-billed Roller primarily consists of ants and termites, which they catch in flight during their late afternoon foraging sessions.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Broad-billed Roller as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers.

Broad-billed Roller Sounds


Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Broad-billed Rollers on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Rollers

A photo of a Abyssinian Roller (Coracias abyssinicus)

Abyssinian Roller

Coracias abyssinicus
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.