Five new European rollers currently being tracked by satellites encourage global action to connect the continents, deepen understanding and protect epic journeys across borders. Birdlife South Africa unlocks the mystery of European jet travel.
South Africa (May 7, 2025) – When Dawn destroys South Africa, it will be equipped with five new European rollers equipped with lightweight satellite trackers, spanning thousands of kilometers across the continent by plane. For South Africa's birdlife, the migration of these birds offers an unusual window into one of the most adoring glasses in nature.
Globally recognized for its vibrant blue feathers and outstanding long-distance travel, European rollers are steadily decreasing across its range, including local extinctions in parts of Europe that once bred. Although it is not classified globally regionally, this species is threatened with being threatened due to the decline in parts of South Africa. As these five newly tagged individuals take pictures of the sky, they are not only continuing their ancient migratory traditions of species. They are also becoming ambassadors of conservation efforts that reach far beyond our borders.
In its groundbreaking efforts, backed by the Royal Portfolio Foundation, Thornybush Nature Reserve and Timbavati Private Nature Reside, Birdlife South Africa is equipped with five European rollers with satellite trackers, allowing teams to continue moving in near real time. These birds are built in 2024 when a European woman named Hera became one of the first individuals to be tracked, based on amazing data first collected.
Hera's journey captured the heart and created history. Over the course of months, she covered over 12,000 km from South Africa to Uzbekistan, and stopped in places like Somalia and India along the way. Her migration marked the first confirmed movement of European rollers between South Africa and Central Asia. This is a milestone in global migratory bird research.
Currently, five newly tagged birds help us to deepen our understanding of this extraordinary species. By expanding the dataset and tracking additional individuals, it is to reveal more about where European rollers rest, feed and stop along the long transition. Each data point adds another piece to the puzzle. From the arid savanna in South Africa to the rough sequestration of Central Asia, these migratory bird corridors are under increasing threat. This new data complements research from Europe and fills an important gap in knowledge of travel routes from the southern tip of the species range. By contributing insights from South Africa, Birdlife hopes to strengthen international collaboration and help build a more complete picture of European roller flyways. This cross-border cooperation is essential to ensure conservation actions are consistent across the nation and continent to protect species through migratory bird journeys.
The challenge is clear. Habitat loss, climate change and land degradation all threaten the long-term survival of the species. But there is hope. Through collective action and continued support for projects such as the Birdlife South Africa's European Roller Surveillance Project, we can ensure that these spectacular birds continue to adorn the sky for future generations. Their incredible transition is a reminder of nature's resilience and the responsibility we share in protecting it.
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