The two national birds of Kenya are the rooster and the lilac-breasted roller. The chin is whitish, shading to rich lilac of the breast. Unofficially, it carries the status as the national bird of Kenya. Customer Support; Tel: +27 21 424 1037; Fax: +27 21 424 1036; Contact by Mail; Business Hours; Mon - Fri. 08:00 - 17:00; Saturday. These birds prefer open woodland or grassland habitat with widely scattered trees, shrubs, or poles to serve as hunting perches. The washed green head is large, the neck is short, the greenish yellow legs are rather short and the feet are small. There is so much more to these multicolored birds than meets the eye. After the chicks hatch, they are altricial and require the care of their parents for feeding. Both sexes have similar coloring and it is hard to tell them apart by looking at them. It has a tan-colored back, and the rest of its plumage is mostly light blue. Adults either live in pairs, or by themselves. 64 famous safari quotes that will inspire you to travel Africa, How to prepare for Mt Kilimanjaro in 4 essential video lessons, Giraffe fight over electrified fence in Kruger Park | Unusual African animal fights, 15 of the best golf courses in Africa (for wildlife enthusiasts). The lilac-breasted roller (scientific name Coracias caudatus) is a beautifully colored bird species with a stand-out appearance. Their call is a loud harsh squawk, 'zaaak'. The shoulder of the wing, outer webs of the flight feathers and the rump are all violet. The main colour of this bird is a combination of different colours. The Afrikaners, who are descendants of Dutch immigrants that originally settled in South Africa, have traditionally used the bird’s feathers to decorate wedding dresses. Glad you enjoy our content. In Zulu culture, this bird has a unique way of testing if couples are ready for marriage. If threatened, both genders will aggressively defend their nesting territory. Your email address will not be published. The Lilac Breasted Roller is a very colourful bird and may be the most colourful in the Kruger Park. Purple roller – These birds reside in sub-Saharan Africa. These birds consume their prey whole. Toggle navigation. The bird is known for its aerial acrobatics, making full use of a wingspan of between 50cm and 58cm. Feel free to let us know if there are specific topics you’d like us to discuss. Their range extends from the Red Sea coast of Eritrea through East Africa (including Zanzibar) to southern Africa, where they occur commonly in Namibia (excluding the Namib Desert), Botswana, Zimbabwe, and northeastern South Africa. These lilac rollers have a noticeably harsh call. The roller bird family (also known as Coraciidae) is a species of Old World birds named for their unique ability to perform aerial acrobatics in flight. Although, the males may be slightly larger. The average life expectancy of the lilac-breasted roller is around ten years. In fact, the Afrikaans word for this stunning lilac bird is “troupand”, which translates to “wedding band”. Its chest is a light blue, its neck is a salmon pink, its back is brown, its head is green and its face is red and white. While perched, they look rather dull and are mostly earthy brown in color. The feathers of the lilac-breasted roller tie to make a band around the couple’s wrists. Yes Africa is amazing country. If it falls apart, they are not ready for marriage. These clever little creatures will take advantage of brush fires. The lilac-breasted roller keeps to areas with open woodlands and savannas. The image is available for download in high resolution quality up to 4500x3200. It lasts less than one second and repeats over and over again. Both will share in this responsibility for 18 to 20 days after birth. Editorial Team at Africa Freak is a group of expert Africa writers and influencers. The country has the highest population of these birds found anywhere in the world. It has large wings and strong flight. The underparts are greenish blue. Lesisila sidze futsi sisemkhatsini ngebudze. However, in-flight, you can see their underparts, which are a beautiful purplish-pink streaked with white. The average size of the Lilac Breasted Roller is 14.5 inches. The Lilac Breasted Roller is a very colourful bird and may be the most colourful in the Kruger Park. It is a swift flier, indulging in acrobatics during the breeding season. There are so many interesting facts about the lilac-breasted roller that get overlooked, but you should know. Lilac Breasted Rollers inhabit acacia country with well spaced trees, rolling bushy game lands, riverside areas and cultivated land, but they do not associate with human habitation. Their feet are yellow with black tips. A lilac-breasted roller can be 36 to 38 cm (14.2 to 15 in) long, and … You definitely don’t have to be a birder to appreciate all the fascinating aspects of these striking creatures. Lilac-breasted rollers are found throughout eastern and southern Africa, and occurs locally at sea level, and up to 2,000 metres above sea level or over. All rollers appear to be monogamous and highly territorial. This impressive display of ability from African roller birds happens when in courtship or during territorial fights.
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