European roller (Coracias garrulus)

The European roller is a gorgeous, rare bird of the Coracias genus in Latvia. In the middle of the last century, several thousand European rollers nested near us, but currently these birds are rare and protected throughout the Baltics. The European roller is not related to the crow family and its plumage is blue rather than green. Only the tail feathers are greenish-blue. The bird is called a crow most likely for its loud, gruff voice. The European rollers nest in cavities made by woodpeckers. By placing suitable bird cages, the population of the European rollers can be increased. These birds feed mainly on large insects caught on the ground or in flight.