Gewone troupant [Afrikaans]; iFefe (also applied to European
roller) [Zulu]; Sikambu (generic term for roller) [Kwangali]; Matlakela [North
Sotho]; Gatawa (generic name for roller) [Shona]; Vhevhe (generic term for
roller) [Tsonga]; Letlêrêtlêrê, Letlhakêla [Tswana]; Vorkstaartscharrelaar
[Dutch]; Rollier à longs brins [French]; Gabelracke [German];
Rolieiro-de-peito-lilás [Portuguese]
The Lilac-breasted roller is found from Eritrea and Somalia
south to the northern half of southern Africa, where it is common in dry
woodland. It feeds on a wide variety of animals, preferring insects over
reptiles, arachnids, birds and rodents. It usually uses cavities in trees as
nest sites, 2-8 m above ground, although it is capable of kicking other birds
out of their nests. It lays 2-4 eggs, which are incubated by both sexes, for
17-25 days. The chicks stay in the nest for about 19 days, after which it is
dependent on its parents for about 20 more days.
Distribution and habitat
Occurs from Eritrea and Somalia
south to the northern half of southern Africa, where it is common in most areas.
It prefers dry woodland, such as Acaciawoodland, miombo woodland, palm
savanna and mopane woodland. It is often found on the border between woodland
and grassy clearings, using the former for breeding and the latter for foraging.
It feeds on a wide variety of
animals, preferring insects over reptiles, arachnids, birds and rodents. It
hunts using the sit and wait technique, where it waits for the animal to close
enough to its perch, before pouncing on it. The following animals have been
recorded in its diet:
Monogamous, solitary nester. It is very
territorial, attacking anything that comes to the nest, even outside the
breeding season.
It usually uses cavities in trees as nest sites, 2-8 m above ground. It
sometimes kicks other birds, e.g. Phoeniculus purpureus
(Green wood-hoopoe) or Lamprotornis nitens
(Cape Glossy starling, Glossy starling) out of their nests. It also
uses nest boxes and termite mounds as nests.
Egg-laying season is from August-February, peaking from
September-December.
It lays 2-4 eggs, which are incubated by both sexes, for 17-25 days.
The chicks stay in the nest for about 19 days, after which it is
dependent on its parents for about 20 more days.
Threats
Not threatened, in fact common in many areas of southern
Africa.
References
Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ and Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Roberts
- Birds of southern Africa, VIIth ed. The Trustees of the John Voelcker
Bird Book Fund, Cape Town.
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