Lilac-breasted Roller

Afrikaans name: Gewone Troupant

Lilac-breasted Roller

Photo © Steven Herbert

Coracias caudatus

The Lilac-breasted Roller is one of the most beautiful birds found in South Africa. Unlike many of the other beautiful birds this one is very obliging and sits quietly on an exposed perch so you can admire it!

This Roller prefers more open habitats but it does need suitable perches from where it can hunt.

Photo © Steven Herbert

It eats a variety of foods including small rodents, insects, lizards, scorpions and others.

The Lilac-breasted Roller nests in a hole in a tree. It doesn't make the hole so it prefers natural holes. Between 2 and 4 eggs are laid.

Male and female have the same plumage.

References and further reading

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 52

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 124

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 172

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 169

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 42

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 264

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 385

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 256

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 388

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 295

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 280

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 411

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 254

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 7

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 68

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 254

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 182

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 39

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 61

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 128

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 77

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 149

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 165

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 134

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 96

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 101

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 96

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 179

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 101

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List of South African Birds