Broad-Billed Roller Acquired by Bronx Zoo

Aug. 20, 1961 - One of the lesser-known sights of Africa - an exuberantly romantic bird called a broad-billed roller - has been acquired by the Bronx Zoo. Somewhat like the tumbler pigeon of North America, it flies up, up, up, then suddenly starts tumbling and rolling back to earth like an autumn leaf. The performance is meant to bedazzle the bird's prospective mate. The more spectacular it is, the more the bird looks like a sort of avian football hero to other birds. The bird is temporarily in quarantine, as is customary with imported wildlife. It is thriving on meal worms.

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