Lilac-breasted Roller
| Lilac-breasted Roller | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Adult at South Luangwa National Park, Zambia | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Coraciiformes |
| Family: | Coraciidae |
| Genus: | Coracias |
| Species: | C. caudatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Coracias caudatus Linnaeus, 1766 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Coracias caudata Linnaeus, 1766 (lapsus) | |
The Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) is a member of the roller family of birds. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula, preferring open woodland and savanna; it is largely absent from treeless places. Usually found alone or in pairs, it perches conspicuously at the tops of trees, poles or other high vantage points from where it can spot insects, lizards, scorpions, snails, small birds and rodents moving about at ground level.[2] Nesting takes place in a natural hole in a tree where a clutch of 2–4 eggs is 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 great heights, descending in swoops and dives, while uttering harsh, discordant cries.
The sexes are alike in coloration. Juveniles do not have the long tail feathers that adults do.
This species is the national bird of Botswana and Kenya.
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Individual from Maasai Mara, Kenya
References
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Coracias caudatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- ↑ "Lilac-breasted Roller". Edinburgh Zoo. 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Coracias caudatus. |
- Lilac-breasted Roller - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds.
- Other photos at the Mangoverde World Bird Guide