Least Concern Birds

African Broad-billed Roller

Eurystomus glaucurus

African Broad-billed Roller hunts flying insects in African savannas and river valleys.

Scientific name	Eurystomus glaucurus
Swahili name	Mkorogo mpana mdomoni
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Coraciiformes
Family	Coraciidae
Size	Male: approximately 30-32 cm, weight about 90-110 g; female: similar size, slightly lighter weight

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How to identify

Broad, flat blue-green bill; vibrant blue-green and purple plumage; chest and belly with pale blue; in flight, wings are broad with distinct blue markings on the underwing edges; tail short and square-shaped

Habitat

Open sparse woodland savannas, shrublands, valleys, and edges of farmland

Diet

Primarily insectivorous, feeding on flying insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and moths; also preys on small lizards and other invertebrates

When it is active

Diurnal, active during the day, especially frequent in early morning and late afternoon

Where it lives

Widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya and the Masai Mara region; some populations migrate to the Arabian Peninsula and northwest India

How to spot it

Look for them at dawn or dusk in open sparse woodland savannas or shrub edges, noting their broad bill and vibrant plumage in flight; use binoculars to observe feeding behavior

Photography tips

Use soft morning or evening light to capture wings spread in flight and the broad bill; use a telephoto lens to avoid disturbance

Threats

Habitat loss due to destruction and agricultural expansion; pesticide use may affect food sources

Similar species

Blue-throated Roller (Eurystomus orientalis) distinguished by a narrower, darker bill; European Roller (Coracias garrulus) has brighter plumage and a shorter bill

📖 how to spot the african broad billed roller on safari