Most Beautiful Bird In Africa? Lilac-breasted Roller - Central Kruger Park | Stories Of The Kruger

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The Most Beautiful Bird In Africa? Lilac-breasted Roller In The Central Kruger National Park
In Kruger National Park, visitors can often spot Lilac-breasted Rollers perched prominently on trees or fence posts, especially in the more open savanna habitats. Their vibrant colours and distinctive calls make them a favourite among birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts visiting the park.
I always think to myself that the Lilac-breasted Roller is the most photographed bird species in the Kruger National Park. I do not think I am too far off that thought, they are absolutely stunning birds!
The Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) is a striking and colourful bird species that occurs in the Kruger National Park, as well as other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Here's a detailed overview of this beautiful bird:
The Lilac-breasted Roller is known for its vibrant plumage, featuring a mix of colours including lilac, turquoise, green, and blue. It has a lilac-coloured breast, a turquoise crown, and wings that are a combination of blue, green, and black. The tail is long and graduated, with outer feathers extending beyond the rest. Overall, it's a medium-sized bird with a length of about 14 to 15 inches (35 to 40 centimetres).
Lilac-breasted Rollers inhabit a variety of habitats including savannahs, woodlands, open grasslands, and scrublands. They are commonly found in both dense and sparse vegetation, as long as suitable perching spots and open areas for hunting insects are available. Their range includes much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Ethiopia in the north to South Africa in the south.
These birds are often seen perched prominently on tree branches, fence posts, or other elevated positions where they can survey their surroundings for prey. They are agile flyers and can execute aerial acrobatics while chasing insects. Lilac-breasted Rollers are solitary or occur in pairs during the breeding season, but they may gather in small groups at suitable foraging areas.
The diet of Lilac-breasted Rollers consists primarily of insects, including grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, and caterpillars. They are also known to consume small reptiles, amphibians, and occasionally small birds. They hunt by perching and scanning for prey, then swooping down to catch it with their beaks.
Breeding typically occurs during the rainy season in their respective habitats. Lilac-breasted Rollers construct nests in natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, or even in artificial structures such as fence posts or termite mounds. The female lays a clutch of eggs, usually between two to four, and both parents participate in incubating the eggs and raising the young.
This video was taken between Letaba and Orpen/Satara in the central and northern Kruger National Park. The background bird call of the Lilac-breasted Roller can be heard. They do not often call, but this is what they sound like, such a stunning bird.
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