Cuckoo Roller

Cuckoo Roller
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Coraciiformes Family: Leptosomatidae
Species
Leptosomus discolor

The Cuckoo Roller, Leptosomus discolor, is the only bird in the family Leptosomatidae, part of the order Coraciiformes, which also includes the kingfishers, bee-eaters and rollers.

This is a medium-sized near passerine species of forests in Madagascar and the Comoros Islands. It eats small prey such as insects.

Unlike the true rollers and ground rollers, the sexes have different plumages. Males are mostly velvety grey. The back, tail, and wings are dark shiny green. They have a black eyestripe. Females and young birds are mostly brown, marked with darker streaks.

Like most of the order, Cuckoo Rollers nest in tunnels in banks, laying about white eggs.