05/03/2025
Have you spotted a Lilac-breasted roller before? 💜
One of the most colourful birds of the savannah, the Lilac-breasted roller is unmistakable thanks to its beautiful plumage. Known for its green head, lilac throat and breast, a blue belly and even brighter blue wing feathers, this bird is often spotted perching on the tops of branches. Here are five interesting facts about the 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒔:
* Lilac-breasted rollers are highly territorial and found throughout Eastern and Southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya.
* They make their nests in tree holes, as well as in abandoned termite mounds.
* Both parents incubate the 2–4 eggs that are laid per breeding season.
* Rollers have a distinctive courtship flight, diving from extreme heights while rocking, rolling and making harsh, loud calls.
* They feed mainly on insects like grasshoppers and large beetles, but are also partial to scorpions, snails and even lizards 🦎