The lilac-breasted roller is a member of the roller family of birds, which is also known as Coraciidae. It is a strong and swift flier. The bird's Latin name Coracias caudatus was given to it by a Swedish scientist identified as Carl Linnaeus. There are two subspecies, C.c caudatus, and C.c. lorti. The latter is sometimes called the "blue-breasted roller" or the "lilac-throated roller," The two subspecies live in different parts of Africa, and their ranges do not overlap.

What does a lilac-breasted roller look like? The lilac-breasted roller has a robust body and a proportionately large, green head with a heavy black beak. It has a white chin and a white or yellow band above the eyes and beak. Its breast is a dark lilac that grows lighter towards the throat. The abdomen and underside of the wings are turquoise, and the wings' underside is also trimmed with dark blue. The upper part of the wings is reddish brown. Their forked tail, which is also turquoise, ends in black streamers.

Males and females have the same coloring. Juvenile birds don't have the black streamers, and their throats and breasts are reddish-brown. As they reach maturity, their throats and breasts will turn lilac. Like other members of the roller family, the lilac-breasted roller has syndactyl feet with the second and third toes fused together. While its upper legs have turquoise feathers, its lower legs and feet are bare, scaly, and yellowish.

How many colors does the lilac breasted roller have? The lilac-breasted roller could have just as easily been called the "rainbow roller." They have around 8 colors; green, white, black, yellow, turquoise, dark blue, reddish brown, and of course lilac.

How did the lilac breasted roller get its name? Rollers, in general, owe their common name to their mating display, which consists of a lot of dives and swoops accompanied by loud and harsh cries. During a mating flight, a lilac-breasted roller will fly upwards for about ten meters (33 feet) and then swoop down with wings closed. In another aerial stunt, the lilac-breasted roller will roll from side to side while flying very fast. If the aerial courtship is successful, the two birds will mate in the air.

How big is a lilac breasted roller? A lilac-breasted roller can be 36 to 38 cm (14.2 to 15 in) long, and that length includes the tail which can be 8 to 9 cm (3.1 to 3.5 in) long.

How much does a lilac-breasted roller weigh? The lilac-breasted roller has an average weight of 104 grams (3.7 ounces). The males are slightly larger than the females. What is the lilac-breasted rollers wingspan? The lilac-breasted roller can have a wingspan between 50 and 58 cm (19.7 and 22.8 in).

Are lilac-breasted rollers friendly? "Friendly" may be a stretch, but they do not fear humans. You can get quite close to a lilac-breasted roller without it flying off—which is great when you're trying to take a picture. On the other hand, lilac-breasted rollers are fiercely territorial, and they will object if you get too close to their nest, even if they don't currently have eggs or chicks. They also guard their favorite hunting grounds and will chase off intruders.

How long do lilac-breasted rollers live? Lilac-breasted rollers have an average life expectancy of around ten years in the wild, and captive birds can live somewhat longer. They are ready to breed when they are around two years old.

What eats a lilac-breasted roller? Predators Various birds of prey are the main predators of the lilac-breasted roller. Known predators include Wahlberg's eagle (Hieraaetus wahlbergi), the red-necked falcon (Falco chicquera), the peregrine (Falco peregrinus), and the Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus).

Is the lilac-breasted roller endangered? Researchers haven't yet performed an estimate of the bird's wild population, but they believe that it is stable. The lilac-breasted roller is not currently listed as endangered.

What do lilac-breasted rollers eat? Lilac-breasted rollers eat mainly insects like beetles and grasshoppers. They will also take snails, scorpions, and sometimes small lizards, rodents, and other birds. Lilac-breasted rollers like to perch on high treetops or telephone poles to watch for their prey.