Purple roller

Introduction: Purple roller birds (Coracias naevius) can be observed in a dry woodland and savannah type habitat but are less common on sandy soils. They are mostly found singly or in pairs and prefer dead branches for perching and will chase away other birds in an aggressive manner to defend their territory. Purple rollers are partial migratory and can be found in abundance along roads in dry woodlands.

Distribution: Absent from southern Namibia, but common in all the major national parks including Etosha National Park and along the Caprivi. The range extends north and west to Epupa Falls and to Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve.

Diet: Insects including locusts and grasshoppers, scorpions, small reptiles, ants, mice and occasionally young birds.

Description: The Latin word naevius means purple hence the main colouration and the name of this species. Often confused with broad-billed roller bird which is much smaller though. Not a particularly vocal bird except for displays of aggression with the call similar to that of the green wood-hoopoe.

Breeding: They prefer larger trees for breeding but also breeds in rock crevices. Females lay between 2 and 4 pure, white eggs and both male and female will feed their young.

Size: 35 to 40cm.

Weight: 165g.