Cuckoo-roller

The cuckoo-roller, or courol, is the sole member of the Leptosomidae family, now classified under its own order Leptosomiformes, and is not closely related to cuckoos or rollers. Found in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands, this medium-large bird is distinctive for sexual dimorphism, with males showing a velvety grey and white plumage with an iridescent green back, while females are brown with spotted underparts. It has an unusual zygodactyl foot structure—two toes forward and two backward. It thrives in a range of forest habitats, from rainforests to plantations, and feeds primarily on chameleons and insects, often hunting by perching still and then striking. Mating habits are not well studied, but it nests in tall trees without nest lining, the female incubates usually four white eggs, and chicks fledge after about a month. Despite habitat challenges facing other species, the cuckoo-roller is not currently threatened and is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Locally, it is regarded as tame and is often associated with myths and positive symbolism, such as good weather and love.