Rollers

European Roller Rollóir Eorpach Coracias garrulus

Rare Vagrant.

Four county records up to end of 2020.

2014 Manch, Dunmanway, a 1st year bird on the 16th November.
2011 Aghada, one on 26th September.
Pre 1900 Near Dummanway, September 1851. Kennedy, Ruttledge & Scroope, 1954.
1883 Near Skibbereen, immature male, 29th October. Kennedy, Ruttledge & Scroope, 1954.

Global Distribution: This species occurs as two subspecies. The nominate subspecies breeds from Morocco, south-west and south-central Europe and Asia Minor east through north-west Iran to south-west Siberia (Russia). Subspecies semenowi breeds in Iraq and Iran (except north-west) east to Kashmir and north to Turkmenistan, south Kazakhstan and north-west China (west Sinkiang). The species overwinters in two distinct regions of Africa, from Senegal east to Cameroon and from Ethiopia west to Congo and south to South Africa (del Hoyo et al. 2001). It has a large global population, including an estimated 100,000-220,000 individuals in Europe (50-74% of the global breeding range) (BirdLife International 2004). However, following a moderate decline during 1970-1990 (Tucker and Heath 1994), the species continued to decline by up to 25% across Europe during 1990-2000 (including in key populations in Turkey and European Russia) (BirdLife International 2004). Overall, declines in Europe exceeded 30% in three generations (15 years).