About European Roller (Coracias garrulus) Danube Delta
The European Roller (Coracias garrulus) is a species of bird common for South-Eastern Europe. In the Western part of Europe this bird can be rarely seen.
This bird is a migrant. In the Danube's Delta it can be found in the areas with old and hollow willow trees, in the Letea and Caraorman forests.
The European Roller is a mid-sized bird, with an average size of 31 cm. Its brightly and harmoniously coloured feathers give this bird an exotic look. The feathers covering its head, the upper side of its wings, its chest and belly are green, whereas the ones covering its backside and the lower side of its wings are of a dark shade.
The European Roller prefers the clearings from forest edges and the grasslands, which are usually inhabited by a large number of insects. Its black, strong and slightly bent beak helps it feed. The European Roller generally feeds on various insects, such as bugs, crickets and grasshoppers.
This bird nests near the water, where it digs galleries in the clay, hone or loess banks. Sometimes it will also nest in hollows. The nest is placed at the end of the gallery and it usually has 5 or 6 eggs. The eggs are white and are incubated by both parents, for 18 to 20 days.
The European Roller does not have any natural enemies, but it is threatened by hunting. This bird is shot for its beautiful feathers. The extractions which are being made in loess banks endanger its habitat and limit the perpetuation of this species.