The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
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: 52Wildlife 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