The European Roller. Brightly colored the European Roller has the size of a jackdaw, it is found in the hot plains, it avoids unstable and humid climates like the North West of Europe, from the end of August it takes up its winter quarters south of the Sahara, and returns towards the end of April. The European Roller is the only species of the Coraciidae family to live in France. It is a bird with bright turquoise colors.

Relatively small bird species. Indeed, it has a length of 29 to 32 cm, a wingspan of 59 to 73 cm and a mass of 140 to 200 g. The European Roller feeds on large insects, snakes, lizards, batrachians, small rodents captured from 'ordinary on the ground after a dive from a perch. The European Roller generally nests in old woodpecker lodges dug in trees (often white poplars) or in holes in buildings. The Rollier is also easily installed in nesting boxes placed on a pylon or in a tree. The female lays 3 to 7 eggs (often 4 to 6) in one clutch from late May to early July (most often early June). Hatching takes place towards the end of June and the flight of the young in mid-July (average dates in the South of France). This bird frequents varied open environments with orchards, woods, bushes and grassy wastelands. This species is often perched prominently. The European Roller enjoys total protection on French territory since the ministerial decree of April 17, 1981 relating to protected birds throughout the territory. It is therefore forbidden to destroy it, mutilate it , capturing or removing it, intentionally disturbing or naturalizing it, as well as destroying or removing eggs and nests, and destroying, altering or degrading its environment. Whether it is alive or dead, it is also prohibited to transport it, peddle it, use it, possess it, sell it or buy it.

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