If last month we talked about the care with which rollers raise their chicks, this time we focus on the chicks themselves, who come into the world completely naked and blind, weighing only around 14 grams. In the first few days, their pink skin begins to show pigmentation in the areas where feathers will develop, and soon a fine white down appears, which primarily serve for thermal insulation.

Between days 4 and 5, pin feathers begin to emerge — thin sheaths through which the wing and tail feathers start to grow. Around day 7, the chicks open their eyes, and shortly after, their bodies become covered in developing feathers.

By the age of two weeks, the chicks grow rapidly, reaching almost 90% of adult body weight. The contour feathers, which give them the distinctive appearance of their species, start to form during the last days spent in the nest.

During all this time, both parents share the task of feeding. They mostly hunt near the nest, although they can make flights of up to 1 kilometre or more. According to data collected during a study in the Stavropol region, a roller pair made 159 feeding visits over the course of 76 hours of observation.

By 23–24 days of age, the chicks already resemble miniature adults – they have a full plumage, though their colouring is slightly duller. From this age, they are able to make short, non-stop flights of up to 100 metres.

At 26–27 days old, the chicks leave the nest – first the larger ones, then shortly afterwards, their smaller siblings. Before long, they join their parents in flight and begin to learn the art of aerial hunting.

You too can help us continue this work and provide secure nesting habitats for this strikingly beautiful bird!