Lilac breasted roller

Introduction: Lilac-breasted rollers (Coracias caudatus) are found mainly in singly or in pairs in a range of dry woodland savannah including Acacia and mopane. They avoid rocky regions and are common on a number of soil types. A typical observation would find them on wide, grassy verges and areas that have been cleared to construct utility lines. Bateleurs, Wahlberg's eagle, Peregrine and red-necked falcons are their main predators.

Distribution: Absent from the south of Namibia and the Namib Desert, but common in their range of well-wooded habitats, especially in the northern areas, of the country such as Etosha National Park, Epupa Falls, Rundu, Caprivi, Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve.

Diet: Locusts, mantids, beetles, moths, butterflies, caterpillars, snails, lizards, small snakes, frogs, rodents and birds.

Description: Predominately blue in colour with hook-lipped bills that are long and black in colour. Caudatus is Latin for 'with a tail'. Throat and breast lilac, hence the name. Often confused with racket-tailed rollers which have thicker tail streamers. European and purple rollers have heavier heads and bills.

Breeding: Nests are made in tree cavities or branches, sometimes modified, but always fiercely defended against intruders even after breeding. Females lay between 2 and 4 eggs with an incubation period of around 17 to 24 days.

Size: 28cm. Tail streamers project a further 82mm in males.

Weight: 105g.