Lilac-Breasted Roller: Facts, Price, Images & Diet

The Lilac-Breasted Roller is a colorful bird known for its bright feathers and bold flight. It has a lilac-colored chest, green head, and blue wings. This makes it one of the most eye-catching birds in Africa. Bird lovers often admire it in zoos or bird parks in the USA.

This bird usually lives in open woodlands and savannas. It feeds on insects, small lizards, and other tiny animals. Its acrobatic flight and vivid colors make it popular among wildlife photographers and bird watchers.

Images of Lilac-Breasted Roller

Price of Lilac-Breasted Roller

A lilac-breasted roller can cost between $1,000 to $2,500 depending on age, health, and breeder reputation. It’s considered a rare and exotic bird, so legal import and ownership rules also affect the price.

Characteristics of Lilac-Breasted Roller

This bird is quite attractive and displays some unique characteristics which makes it unique among bird’s family. Here are some characteristics of Lilac-Breasted Roller:

Life Span of Lilac-Breasted Roller

A Lilac-Breasted Roller lives around 10 years in the wild. It can live up to 15 years in zoos or bird sanctuaries with proper care.

Interesting Features and Facts About Lilac-Breasted Roller

This bird has an attractive behavior compared to other birds and it displays some eye-catching features for public attention.

1. Perform Acrobatics in Mid-Air

The Lilac-Breasted Roller is famous for its sky acrobatics during mating displays. It twists, rolls, and dives in mid-air to impress potential mates. These aerial stunts help the bird attract attention.

The birdwatchers often compare these moves to those of stunt planes. Such behaviors are rarely seen in similar-sized birds.

2. Defend Their Nest Aggressively

Lilac-Breasted Rollers are fiercely protective parents. If another bird or animal comes near the nest, both adults will dive-bomb the intruder. They also use loud calls to scare threats away.

Nest sites are usually in tree holes or abandoned woodpecker cavities. This aggressive defense helps increase chick survival. Their boldness is impressive for their size.

3. Hunt From Perches Like Raptors

Lilac-Breasted Rollers hunt like small hawks although they’re songbirds. They settle on trees, fence posts, or even road signs to spot prey. They swoop down quickly once they see movement.

This hunting method allows them to catch insects, lizards, and even small rodents. The bird watchers often note this raptor-like behavior as unusual.

4. Call Sounds Like a Harsh Screech

Their call isn’t melodic unlike many colorful birds. It’s a coarse and harsh “rak-rak-rak” sound that cuts through quiet surroundings. Tourists expecting a sweet song often get surprised.

This call is used to claim territory or warn others. It’s easy to recognize during the breeding season.

5. Used on Postage Stamps in Africa

Several African countries have featured the Lilac-Breasted Roller on their stamps. Its colors and symmetry make it a favorite among wildlife artists.

These stamps also help promote bird conservation abroad. It’s one of the few birds with such worldwide fame.

6. Feathers Reflect UV Light

They appear even more vibrant to other birds and their plumage looks colorful to humans. This is because their feathers reflect ultraviolet light, seen by most birds.

The lilac chest and turquoise wings shine like neon. This UV reflection plays a role in mate selection and also helps them stand out in open habitats.

7. Don’t Build Their Own Nest

They rely on natural cavities or abandoned nests instead of building from scratch. This includes old woodpecker holes and natural tree gaps. It saves energy and helps them reuse safe locations.

They are often compared to bluebirds using nest boxes. It’s a clever way to start the breeding season early.

8. Wings Make a Flash of Color in Flight

Their wings flash deep blue, turquoise, and green shades when they fly. It’s not always visible when they sit on trees but during flight it’s breathtaking.

This sudden burst of color shocks predators and distracts prey. Bird photographers in Africa often wait for this exact moment. It’s one of the most striking flight patterns among birds.

9. Can Survive in Areas Without Much Water

They survive in dry savannas and arid zones despite their tropical look. They get most of their water from the food they eat, like insects and reptiles.

This allows them to survive far from lakes or rivers. Their survival strategy makes them well-adapted to tough environments.

10. Sometimes Seen Sitting on Animal Backs

Lilac-Breasted Rollers have been spotted sitting on the backs of large mammals. This includes giraffes and antelopes. They get a better view of prey on the ground from this elevated position.

It’s a smart hunting tactic shared with some other bird species. Observers often compare it to ox peckers, but for a different purpose.

11. Stay in Pairs Year-Round

These rollers stick together all year unlike many birds that pair up just for breeding. Mated pairs often settle side-by-side and hunt near each other.

This long-term bond helps with nest defense and territory control. It also increases the chance of successful breeding. Their loyalty makes them stand out among solitary bird species.

12. Symbolic Role in African Cultures

Many African communities see the Lilac-Breasted Roller as a symbol of peace. It’s often associated with beauty, balance, and protection. Some even believe its appearance brings good luck.

Bird lovers here often admire this symbolic value while this may not be part of U.S. culture. It adds another layer to their appeal.

Sightseeing of Lilac-Breasted Roller

These birds are mostly seen in the public areas like Zoo and public places where they can be viewed by different people.

Photography Tips of Lilac-Breasted Roller

Here are certain expert tips for photography of these birds:

• Shoot during hours with decent light to catch the lilac colors glowing in soft and natural light.

• Use a fast shutter speed to freeze its quick and acrobatic flight mid-air.

• Focus on open savannah-style settings in zoos or reserves where the bird is more active.

• Keep your distance and use a long lens to capture close-up detail without surprising it.

• Wait for its signature mid-flight dive to capture the vibrant wings fully spread.

Lilac-Breasted Roller: Male vs Female

• Male and female have similar colors: a lilac breast, turquoise belly, green head, and blue wings.

• There is no significant difference in coloration between the Genders, which is rare for such a colorful bird.

• Males might be slightly larger than females, but the difference is very subtle and hard to notice unless birds are side by side.

• Males sometimes have longer tail streamers (the extended central tail feathers), especially during breeding season.

• But again, this is not a guaranteed way to differentiate them, as females can have long streamers too.

Most Asked Question

1. Can you see a Lilac-Breasted Roller in the United States?

No, Lilac-Breasted Rollers live in sub-Saharan Africa and don’t migrate to the U.S.

2. Why is the Lilac-Breasted Roller so colorful?

Its bright feathers help attract mates and stand out during flight displays.

3. What does the Lilac-Breasted Roller eat?

It eats insects, small lizards, and sometimes frogs—mostly caught in mid-air.

4. How long does a Lilac-Breasted Roller live?

In the wild, it usually lives around 10 years, depending on habitat and predators.