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Acrobats
"Lilac-breasted rollers form lifelong pairs that confirm their bond each year with impressive aerial acrobatics and mating while flying."
Discover in real lifeHabitat:
savannas in eastern and southern Africa
Food:
insects, small lizards and amphibians
Age:
10 years
Weight:
85 to 135 grams
Number of eggs:
2 to 4 eggs
Incubation period:
22 to 24 days
IUCN status:
safe
EEP:
no
About the lilac-breasted roller
The lilac-breasted roller lives on savannas in eastern and southern Africa. This colorful bird is notable for its acrobatic flying skills. Each year a pair shows their desire to mate again by spectacular aerial displays. They make diving flights and roll through the air, and even mate while flying. Lilac-breasted rollers hunt from a high vantage point. They wait patiently until they spot prey, then swoop down at lightning speed. They swallow small insects, lizards and amphibians in one go. Larger prey they first beat to death against a rock or the ground.
Habitat and threats
The Lilac-breasted roller lives on the open savannas of eastern and southern Africa. This colorful bird prefers landscapes with scattered trees and shrubs, where it has good visibility to spot insects, lizards and other small prey. Countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa are among its main habitats.
Although the lilac-breasted roller is not currently considered endangered, changes in the landscape can have an impact. Agricultural expansion, urbanization and forest clearing can affect the open character of the savanna. Intensive use of pesticides also poses a risk, as the insect supply diminishes. Fortunately, the species is still common and is protected in many national parks.