Photo: Brian Ralphs from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Cuckoo-roller
Leptosomus discolor
Cuckoo-roller (Leptosomus discolor) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.
The Cuckoo-roller (Leptosomus discolor) is a member of the Leptosomidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 255 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Leptosomiformes
- Family Leptosomidae Cuckoo-roller
- Genus Leptosomus
- Species discolor
Quick facts
- Weight
- 255 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Leptosomidae
- Order
- Leptosomiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Cuckoo-roller is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Cuckoo-roller is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Cuckoo-roller (Leptosomus discolor) is a species of bird in the Leptosomidae family, part of the order Leptosomiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Comoros and Madagascar.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 255 g, with a wing length of about 24.8 cm and a tail of around 19.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 593,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Cuckoo-roller?
The Cuckoo-roller is a large bird that weighs around 255 g.
Where does the Cuckoo-roller live?
The Cuckoo-roller is found across Africa with a range covering AF Comoros and Madagascar, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Cuckoo-roller belong to?
The Cuckoo-roller (Leptosomus discolor) belongs to the Leptosomidae family, in the order Leptosomiformes.
What does the Cuckoo-roller eat?
The Cuckoo-roller is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Cuckoo-roller migrate?
The Cuckoo-roller is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Cuckoo-roller endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Cuckoo-roller make?
1 real field recording of the Cuckoo-roller — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Cuckoo-roller's range?
The Cuckoo-roller has a mapped global range of about 593,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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