Streaked Roller

Streaked Roller

We are delighted that Karin and Volker Probst have taken on the sponsorship of the streaked rocket (Coracias naevia).

This bird species belongs to the order Coraciformes, which is native to sub-Saharan Africa as far as Namibia and Transvaal. It grows to around 38 cm.

Compared to other rails, the colours of its plumage are rather muted. The back is greenish in colour and the edges of the wings are edged with a strong blue.


Its preferred habitat is the dry thorn bush savannah, where it spends long periods perched on the tops of thorn bushes or masts looking for prey, including insects, spiders, scorpions and small lizards on the ground.


The bar-tailed roller appears to be an opportunistic breeder (possibly its breeding behaviour is linked to rainfall), as its breeding times vary from place to place. They nest in natural cavities in trees or in old woodpecker holes, usually laying 3 white eggs. The young birds are fed by both parents.