Cuckoo-roller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cuckoo-roller |
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The cuckoo-roller or courol (Leptosomus discolor) is a unique bird. It is the only member of its bird family, called Leptosomidae. Scientists used to group it with birds like rollers, but now it has its very own group, Leptosomiformes. Even though its name sounds like "cuckoo" or "roller," this bird is not closely related to true cuckoos or rollers.
This is a medium-sized to large bird. It lives in forests and woodlands on the island of Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. There are three types, or subspecies, of cuckoo-rollers. The L. d. discolor lives in Madagascar and Mayotte Island. The L. d. intermedius lives on Anjouan. The L. d. gracilis lives on Grand Comoro. Sometimes, the L. d. gracilis is seen as a separate species because it is smaller, looks a bit different, and sounds slightly different.
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What Does the Cuckoo-Roller Look Like?
Cuckoo-rollers are about 40 to 50 centimeters (16 to 20 inches) long. The type found in Madagascar is the biggest, and the one from Grand Comoro is the smallest. Unlike many other birds, male and female cuckoo-rollers look very different. This is called "sexual dichromatism."
Male cuckoo-rollers have a soft, velvety grey chest and head. This color slowly turns white on their belly. Their back, tail, and wing feathers are a shiny, dark green with a hint of purple. Their head top and a stripe near their eye are black.
Female cuckoo-rollers are mostly brown. Their undersides are pale with many dark spots. Young cuckoo-rollers usually look like duller females. However, young birds from Grand Comoro can look different depending on their sex.
This bird has a strong beak. Its eyes are set far back on its face. Its legs and feet are small. Its feet are unusual because they have two toes pointing forward and two toes pointing backward. This is called "zygodactylous" feet.
Where Do Cuckoo-Rollers Live?
Cuckoo-rollers live in many different places. They can be found in various types of forests. This includes rainforests, coastal forests, and even tree farms. They also live in dry forests and spiny bush areas.
In the Comoros, you can find them on all the main islands. They especially like areas with lots of trees. They live from areas near the sea all the way up to mountains 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) high.
How Do Cuckoo-Rollers Live?
What Do Cuckoo-Rollers Eat?
We don't know a lot about what cuckoo-rollers eat. However, a study in 1931 found some important foods. They eat chameleons and insects. They especially like locusts (a type of grasshopper) and caterpillars. Scientists often find caterpillar hairs in their stomachs. They also eat other insects like grasshoppers and cicadas. Sometimes, they eat stick insects and geckos (small lizards).
Cuckoo-rollers usually hunt by sitting still on a branch. They watch carefully for prey. When they spot something, they quickly fly out to catch it. They also hunt while flying in the air.
How Do Cuckoo-Rollers Raise Their Young?
Not many studies have looked at how cuckoo-rollers breed. They build their nests in tall trees. The nests are usually about 4 to 6 meters (13 to 20 feet) off the ground. They use natural holes or cavities in the trees.
They do not put any soft material inside the nest. The white eggs are laid directly on the bottom of the cavity. A female cuckoo-roller usually lays about four eggs. Only the female bird sits on the eggs to keep them warm. The male bird brings her food while she is incubating. The eggs hatch after about 20 days. The chicks are born with soft, fluffy feathers. The young birds stay in the nest for about 30 days before they are ready to fly.
Are Cuckoo-Rollers in Danger?
The cuckoo-roller is not usually hunted by people. It has also been able to survive even when its habitat changes. This is good news because many other native birds are threatened by habitat loss. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) says the cuckoo-roller is of "Least Concern". This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
Cuckoo-rollers live in a very large area. Many populations in Madagascar continue to live in small forest areas. You can find many cuckoo-rollers in large forest reserves. These include places like Zahamena, Andringitra, Andohahela, and Marojejy.
Cuckoo-Rollers and People
Cuckoo-rollers are very calm birds. People in Madagascar generally do not bother them. Many people there have old stories and beliefs about these birds. They are often seen as a good sign. People believe they bring clear weather. Since they are often seen in pairs, they are also linked to couples and love.
