Species guide
Lilac-breasted Roller: how to recognise it
A bird of Africa. Learn the marks that make it easy to identify, then practise with real photographs in Lore.
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- Scientific name
- Coracias caudatus
- Family
- Rollers
- Size
- About 28–36 cm
- Habitat
- Open savanna and woodland, often on a high perch
- Found in
- Africa
The key marks
A dazzling bird with a lilac breast, turquoise belly and wings, a greenish head and long outer tail streamers.
Voice
Harsh, raucous “rak-rak” calls.
Good to know
Rollers are named for the rolling, tumbling display flights of the males in the breeding season.
Where and when
You can expect to find it in open savanna and woodland, often on a high perch. It is especially common in Tanzania and Kenya. Distribution changes with the seasons and from year to year, so check a recent local observation source before you go looking.