The racket-tailed roller is a species of bird in the family Coraciidae. It is found in southern Africa from Angola, south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and southern Tanzania to northern Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique.
Region
South-central and southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from Angola and southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo through southern Tanzania to Zambia, Malawi, northern Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. It inhabits open and lightly wooded habitats, especially miombo and mopane woodlands, wooded savanna, and riverine edges. Frequently uses edges of clearings, burn scars, and tracks where prey is more visible. Avoids dense closed forest and extremely arid open desert, but tolerates patchy human-altered woodland.
Altitude Range
200–1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Named for its elongated central tail feathers ending in spatulate “rackets,” this roller performs dramatic rolling display flights. It favors open miombo and mopane woodlands and often hunts around grassfires where insects are flushed. Pairs hold territories and nest in existing tree cavities. Its striking turquoise-blue wing panels are most vivid in flight.
Temperament
alert and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong flier with short rapid wingbeats and abrupt glides; acrobatic display rolls
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs that defend territories. Nests in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes, laying a small clutch. Both sexes participate in territory defense and display flights.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are harsh, rasping chatters and repeated rattling calls, often delivered during display flights. Calls carry well over open woodland and intensify during breeding interactions.
Plumage
Warm brown head and upperparts with pale throat, contrasting bright turquoise to blue underparts and wing panels; blackish flight feathers. Long central tail feathers extend into narrow shafts with spatulate tips forming the characteristic 'rackets.'
Diet
Primarily feeds on large insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, termites, and ants. Will also take small lizards and other invertebrates opportunistically. Hunts from exposed perches, dropping to the ground to seize prey or making short sallies to catch insects in the air. Often concentrates around recently burned areas where prey is abundant and exposed.
Preferred Environment
Open woodland edges, clearings, and along tracks or river margins with scattered perches. Uses mid-level branches or dead snags to scan for prey and prefers areas with good visibility.
