Lilac-breasted Roller
Coracias caudatus
The Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) is a uncommon roller found in 18 countries, weighing about 110 g. The lilac-breasted roller is an African bird of the roller family, Coraciidae.
About the Lilac-breasted Roller
The lilac-breasted roller is an African bird of the roller family, Coraciidae. It is widely distributed in Southern and Eastern Africa, and is a vagrant to the southern Arabian Peninsula. It prefers open woodland and savanna, and it is for the most part absent from treeless places. Usually found alone or in pairs, it perches at the tops of trees, poles or other high vantage points from where it can spot insects, amphibians and small birds moving about on the ground. Nesting takes place in a natural hole in a tree where a clutch of 2–4 eggs are laid, and incubated by both parents, who are extremely aggressive in defence of their nest, taking on raptors and other birds. During the breeding…
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How to identify it
In the field, these robust, large-headed birds are often perched alone on a tree in a grassy clearing, and are almost unmistakable with their colourful plumage tones. The lilac throat of the nominate subspecies C. c. caudatus deepens into a darker lilac breast. The crown to mantle is olive, and the cheeks and ear coverts a lilac-rufous. In subspecies C. c. lorti however, the crown to mantle is greenish blue instead of olive, and the breast azure. The throat is lilac, and some lilac-throated rollers have a lilac patch or rufous-brown tinges on the lower abdomen. Voice: The call of a lilac-breasted roller is a harsh, sawing "rak rak rak" that is given during flight. Usually, the bird will perch to sing.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Gabon.
When to see it
The Lilac-breasted Roller can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the Lilac-breasted Roller on live cams
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Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Lilac-breasted Roller?
- In the field, these robust, large-headed birds are often perched alone on a tree in a grassy clearing, and are almost unmistakable with their colourful plumage tones. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Lilac-breasted Roller?
- The Lilac-breasted Roller is a medium sized bird weighing about 110 g.
- Where can you see a Lilac-breasted Roller?
- The Lilac-breasted Roller occurs in 18 countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia and Botswana.
- What birds look similar to a Lilac-breasted Roller?
- The Lilac-breasted Roller is most easily confused with the European Roller, the Indian Roller and the Indochinese Roller.
- Is the Lilac-breasted Roller endangered?
- The Lilac-breasted Roller is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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