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 season the male will rise to a fair height, descending in swoops and dives, while uttering harsh, discordant cries. The sexes do not differ in coloration, and juveniles lack the long tail streamers of adults. This species is unofficially considered the national bird of Kenya. Alternative names for the lilac-breasted roller include the fork-tailed roller, lilac-throated roller and Mosilikatze's roller.
Region
Eastern and Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Found widely from Kenya and Tanzania south through Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia to northeastern South Africa, with vagrants reaching the southern Arabian Peninsula. It favors open woodland, miombo and mopane savanna, bushy grassland, and edges of clearings and agricultural areas. Typically absent from dense forest and completely treeless expanses. Often seen along roads, on fence posts, and atop isolated trees or termite mounds.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Famed for its acrobatic courtship flights and striking mosaic of blues and lilac, it often perches conspicuously to scan for prey. It is commonly attracted to grassfires and freshly burned ground where prey is flushed. Both parents aggressively defend the nest and share incubation. It is unofficially regarded as the national bird of Kenya.
in flight in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Adult bird perched in Chobe National Park, Botswana
With orthopteran prey in Etosha National Park, Namibia
Juvenile bird at Samburu National Reserve in central Kenya – it has rufous-tawny chest plumage, and its outer rectrices lack the streamers of adult plumage.
Temperament
conspicuous and assertive, highly defensive near nests
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid wingbeats and showy, diving display flights
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, often maintaining small territories with prominent perches. Nests in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes; clutch size typically 2–4 eggs. Both sexes incubate and feed the young and will vigorously mob intruders, including raptors.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are harsh, rasping croaks and chattering grates, often given during display flights. Vocalizations carry well over open country and are most frequent at dawn and during territorial interactions.
