What is a Lilac-Breasted Roller?

A lilac-breasted roller is a member of the roller family of birds. It is found in the Arabian peninsula and parts of sub-Saharan Africa. These colorful birds are easy to spot and generally unafraid of people, making them a common sight for people living and traveling in their native range. Both Kenya and Botswana have named the lilac-breasted roller as their national bird.

The coloration on the lilac-breasted roller is essentially the same in both sexes. As their name implies, these birds have patches of lilac on their chests. Their bodies have patches of blue, turquoise, and russet, and they have slender, long tail feathers. Coracias caudatus, as it is also known, is an eye-catching bird made easy to identify by the distinctively colorful plumage.

The rollers are named for their distinctive flight pattern, especially during courtship. Members of this family are agile fliers and they engage in swooping, diving maneuvers with rolling movements to show off. While flying, the birds typically voice loud, raucous calls designed to draw attention to their activities. In the case of the lilac-breasted roller, the call is a harsh “zaaaaak” noise. In addition to being a useful method for grabbing attention, the adroit flying skills of these birds are also valuable for hunting.

Lilac-breasted rollers sit on high perches in trees to command a good view of the ground below. They look for insects and small animals like frogs, swooping down from above to catch their prey. These birds have also been known to take advantage of the ample available prey around fires and burn sites, hovering near the fire line to grab animals attempting to escape the fire.

These birds prefer forest and savanna habitats and are not found in areas where trees are not present. Found alone or in mating pairs, the lilac-breasted roller is extremely territorial. The parents nest together, with the female laying two to four eggs in a nest constructed in a tree hole or old termite mound. Both partners defend the nest, sometimes very aggressively.

Visitors on safari tours usually spot lilac-breasted rollers on their trips. The birds are very bold and will tolerate close human contact, much to the delight of photographers. It is advisable to be careful around known nests to minimize potential upset to the birds. While the lilac-breasted roller cannot do serious damage to humans in defense of its nest, the birds can become extremely agitated if they sense a threat to their eggs or young.

The Lilac-Breasted Roller is a vibrantly colored bird native to sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. It's known for its acrobatic flight displays and striking plumage, which includes a pastel lilac breast, blue belly, and green head. This bird is a member of the roller family, Coraciidae, and is the national bird of Kenya and Botswana.

Lilac-Breasted Rollers are carnivorous, feeding primarily on insects like grasshoppers, beetles, and occasionally small vertebrates such as lizards. They hunt from a perch, swooping down to catch their prey on the ground. They are also known to follow wildfires or grazing animals to snatch up any insects that might be disturbed.

During mating season, the Lilac-Breasted Roller performs dramatic aerial displays to attract a mate. These include a combination of dives, rolls, and loops, accompanied by loud calls. The male showcases his flying skills and colorful plumage to impress the female, which is a common courtship behavior among bird species.

Lilac-Breasted Rollers are commonly found in open woodlands and savannas across Eastern and Southern Africa. They prefer areas with scattered trees and shrubs, which provide vantage points for hunting and nesting. They are also seen in cultivated areas and near human habitation, as long as there are perches available.

As of my knowledge cutoff in 2023, the Lilac-Breasted Roller is not considered an endangered species. It is classified as 'Least Concern' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), indicating a stable population. However, habitat destruction and changes in land use could potentially impact their numbers in the future.

Lilac-Breasted Rollers are monogamous and both parents participate in raising the young. They typically nest in natural tree cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes. The female lays 2-4 eggs, and both parents share incubation duties for about 22-24 days. After hatching, the chicks are fed and cared for by both parents until they fledge.