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ROLLERS

These exquisitely coloured birds are a constant source of surprise and delight, their delicate hues of blue and pink blending with shades of other colours to produce an effect of riveting beauty.

There are five species of roller, all diurnal and much the same in general habits. They perch singly on prominent dead trees or projecting branches of a living tree, waiting quietly until some insect moves into view on the ground below. Then, with graceful acrobatic movements, they swoop to snatch the unsuspecting prey, and return to the perch to stun the prey by flicking it against the branch before swallowing it. Dedicated hunters, they are so intent on their task that all caution is thrown overboard when chasing their quarry. Very of ten, while concentrating on some insect crawling across the road, they will fly straight into the path of oncoming vehicles, and their lifeless bodies are often seen lying beside the road, especially in the northern half of the Park.

Of the five species the Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudata) is the most common and widespread. It is more abundant in the open plains starting near Tshokwane in the south and stretching through to near Pafuri far in the north. The European Roller (C. garrulus) is a summer migrant, occasionally so abundant that it is even more commonly seen than the lilac-breasted roller. All the rollers make their nests in holes in trees, laying up to three snowy-white eggs.

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