Lilac-breasted Roller

Adults have a light blue head, a distinct white stripe over the eye, a lilac-pink throat and breast, a rich brown back, vibrant turquoise belly and underparts, and dark blue outer wings with long, pale blue tail streamers in mature birds. Juveniles are duller with less distinct lilac and blue markings.

Lilac-pink throat and upper breast, pale blue head, white patch above the eye, bright turquoise belly, brownish back, and elongated outer tail feathers.

Length: 28 to 38 cm (including tail streamers), Wingspan: 50 to 58 cm, Weight: 104 to 140 grams

A harsh, grating, raspy rattle often described as 'rak-rak-rak' repeated rapidly

Mainly insects (grasshoppers, beetles, mantises), arachnids, and small vertebrates such as lizards, chameleons, and small rodents. Forages by sallying from a perch to snatch prey from the ground.

Open savanna, scrub forest, bushy grasslands, and agricultural areas with scattered trees

Mainly resident throughout its range, though some local or seasonal movements occur in response to rainfall

Nests in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes, lined with grass or feathers. Clutch size is typically 2 to 4 eggs. Both parents aggressively defend their nest and take turns incubating.

Abyssinian Roller and Purple Roller, which have different color distributions and lack the distinct lilac breast and streaming tail feathers combination.

Acts as an apex predator of small insects and vertebrates in its local habitat, helping to control pest populations, and often utilizes cavities created by woodpeckers or natural decay.

Least Concern, with a stable population trend

Look for them perched high and exposed on dead tree branches, utility wires, or fence posts in open savanna landscapes. They are quite bold and often allow close approaches by vehicles.

It is the national bird of Kenya and is famous for its breathtaking roller-coaster courtship display flights, during which it dives steeply while emitting harsh rolling calls.