Purple Roller

Afrikaans name: Groottroupant

Purple Roller

Photo © Steven Herbert

Coracias naevius

Purple Roller behaviour

This large roller is not the most attractive of the rollers. Along with a rather rough sounding call it doesn’t have too much going for it. You are likely to see one sitting for lengthy periods of time on an exposed perch while it waits for prey to cross the open area beneath it. They may be encountered all year round in South Africa although there are some seasonal movements.

Purple Roller appearance

They are the largest of the rollers and can reach a length of 40 cm. Male and female have similar plumages. They have a powerful black bill, yellowish-white eye-stripe and white flecks on their dull purple breasts.

Purple Roller diet

These Rollers perch on an exposed branch and survey the ground for prey. They mostly eat insects, but they will also eat mice, small rodents, chicks and reptiles. Crickets, grasshoppers and locusts are the most taken prey.

Purple Roller breeding

Purple Rollers perform acrobatic aerial displays as part of their courtship routine. They then nest in a cavity in a tree, or sometimes in a hole in a man-made structure. The nest is normally at least 5 metres from the ground. Between 2 and 4 eggs are laid.

Purple Roller distribution and habitat

The Purple Roller is found in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa it is found in the north and north-east. Its preferred habitats are thornveld, savanna and drier woodland. It is a common species in Kruger National Park.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	415	Eurocoracias mosambicus
2nd	415	Coracias naevia
3rd	415	Coracias naevia
4th	415	Coracias naevia
5th	449	Coracias naevia
6th	449	Coracias naevia
7th	88	Coracias naevius

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	415	Mozambique Roller
2nd	415	Mozambique Roller
3rd	415	Purple Roller
4th	415	Purple Roller
5th	449	Purple Roller
6th	449	Purple Roller
7th	88	Purple Roller

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	415	Groot-troupand
2nd	415	Groot Troupand
3rd	415	Groot Troupant
4th	415	Groot Troupant
5th	449	Groottroupant
6th	449	Groottroupant
7th	88	Groottroupant

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 124

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 42

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 169

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 256

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 264

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 390

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 386

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 281

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 297

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 221

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 254

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 48

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 254

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 182

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 128

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 150

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 39

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 134

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 166

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 102

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 102

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 180

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds