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ShrublandCavity nestMedium · 110 g
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Lilac-breasted Roller
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is November, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Lilac-breasted Roller
The map shades 17 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Gabon.
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.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
European RollerCoracias garrulusThe European roller is a stocky bird, the size of a Eurasian jay at 29–32 cm (11–13 in) in length with a 52–58 cm (20–23 in) wingspan.
Indian RollerCoracias benghalensisThe Indian roller is a bulky and broad-winged bird with a large head and short neck and legs.
Indochinese RollerCoracias affinisIt is a stocky bird.
Side by side: Indian Roller vs Lilac-breasted Roller · European Roller vs Lilac-breasted Roller · Indochinese Roller vs Lilac-breasted Roller
Watch the Lilac-breasted Roller on live cams
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