Lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudata)

This attractive bird is one of the most commonly seen of the rollers. An inhabitant of dry open brush and wooded areas, it perches prominently on bushes, trees and fence poles. It preys on lizards and invertebrates but is also known to take small birds. Lilac-breasted rollers are also quite unbothered by people, allowing you to get very close in for a good shot.

Lilac-breasted rollers, also known as the "fork-tailed rollers," are some of Africa's most colourful small birds. They are about 12 inches long due to their long tails. Both the males and the females look alike. Their feathers come in a variety of colours. They have white feathers across their brow and over their eyes. This makes the black beak stand out. These facial feathers slowly change to a brown with wisps of white on their cheeks and chin. Their heads are covered with green feathers that have a light blue sheen to them. Their rump and upper tail coverts to cobalt blue, while their wings show various shades of blue. Their outer flight feathers are black and brown with a blue green sheen. And of course all of this blue green matches it's beautiful lilac coloured chest.

The lilac breasted roller will perch on a dead tree, surveying the area for prey. One typical aspect of this behaviour is to prey on animals fleeing from bush fires. Similar to our swallows the rollers are very swift fliers. Their long tail gives them great mobility in the air. They love to indulge in acrobatics during the breeding season. They actually breed "on the wing". They live in pairs or small groups, but are often seen alone. Their call is a loud harsh squawk, "zaaak". They are seldom migratory, and mostly stay around the same areas.

Rollers make unlined nests in natural tree holes or in termite hills. Sometimes they take over woodpecker's or kingfisher's nest holes. One amazing feat is their ability to breed while in flight. The mother will then lay two to four white eggs.

Lilac-breasted rollers use their high speed flight and agile moves to pick grasshoppers, beetles, occasionally lizards, crabs, and small amphibians right from the ground. They then fly to a new by branch to enjoy their catch.

{Back}