Order Leptosomiformes / Cuckoo Roller

This species of bird is placed in a separate order by itself due to the following features:

• The cuckoo roller is a medium-large bird.
• Unlike other roller species, male and female cuckoo rollers have different coloring.
• Cuckoo rollers have a short, stot bill.
• The eyes of cuckoo rollers are set back in the face.
• Cuckoo rollers have small legs and feet.
• Feet of cuckoo rollers have an unusual structure – two toes grow forward and two other toes – backward.
• According to IUCN, these birds are of the least concern (LC).

• Cuckoo rollers feed on small reptiles such as chameleons & geckos. They also feed on insects such as caterpillars, cicadas, grasshoppers, and stick insects.
• The primary foraging technique for the Cuckoo roller is to wait on the tree branch motionless, watching for prey, and then ambush the prey to capture it.

• These birds live primarily in forests.
• The cuckoo roller nests are always located in tall trees. The incubation period for this bird’s eggs is about 20 days. The baby chicks remain in the nest for 30 days before fledging.