Lilac Breasted Roller
Coracias caudata is commonly referred to as the Lilac-breasted Roller, belonging to the taxon: Aves; Coraciiformes (hornbills, kingfishers, rollers); Coraciidae (rollers); Coracias caudata. The Lilac-breasted Roller is a medium sized bird with a lilac breast. Coracias caudata inhabits eastern and southern Africa, including parts of Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambabwe, and Malawi. This roller inhabits Acacia savannas with well spaced trees and brushlands. It can be found in open brush coutry wher isolated trees serve as vantage points. The name roller is derived from their acrobatic flights, aerial gymnastics and tumbling during courting rituals. The roller's characteristic "rolling" is a territorial advertisement usually performed after copula
During breeding season, a display can be observed between rival males or a courting pair. The two birds will sit on separate perches near each other and call repeatedly. They will flatten their bodies, lower their heads, raise their crown feathers, and lift and spread their tail feathers almost vertical. Facing each other, one "attacks" and they both fly up, chest to chest with flailing wings, apparently attempting to claw at each other. At this point they may fall to the ground and struggle for a short time. Then one bird will perform the "rolling" display. Some rollers have been seen performing a display in which both birds are on the ground neck rubbing and wing opening. The purpose ofr this display is unclear but is thought possibly to be anting. tion against intruders or to draw attention away from a nest or chicks. When "rolling," the
Some common words found in the essay are:
Zambabwe Malawi, September December, Lilac-breasted Roller, Aves Coraciiformes, coracias caudata, Roller Coracias, lilac-breasted roller, November Coracias, tips forward,
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