This European Roller was trying to swallow this large beetle in one piece. Its eyes were larger than its stomach as the beetle simply did not fit. Despite several attempts of swallowing its meal the bird eventually flew away with it. We don’t know if it succeeded! Rollers are pretty impressive birds. While this photo was taken in February in South Africa, by now the roller is on its way to Eastern Europe and can get as far north as Russia! Unfortunately their numbers are decreasing due to habitat loss in their breeding areas and due to hunting around the Mediterranean when they pass by on their way North. Let’s hope this beauty found some more food such as lizards, frogs and reptiles to gain some strength before the long flight!