5 Amazing Facts about Kenya’s National Bird (Photos and Video)

The Lilac-breasted Roller unofficially named the national bird of Kenya is an all colorful bird widely distributed in Southern and Eastern Africa. While it does have a resemblance to the National flag of Kenya, it has a multicolored plumage said to stand for the country’s rich biodiversity.

This non-dimorphic species has about 8 distinct colors including white, green, lilac, dark blue, black, yellow, turquoise, and reddish-brown. Lilac-breasted rollers are unafraid of humans and with their striking array of colors, you can easily spot them on your birding expeditions.

If you are visiting Kenya or Tanzania, you will hear locals call this bird in Swahili “kambu”. The bird can easily be confused with the Abyssinian Roller and the European Roller who are also members of the roller family.  Let’s look at some of the interesting facts about the Lilac-breasted Roller.

1. Lilac-breasted Rollers are monogamous and mate for life

Lilac-breasted rollers are monogamous birds believed to mate for life. Females lay two to four eggs, which are rotationally incubated by both parents. After 21 to 24 days, the eggs will hatch and the birds will also share the responsibility of feeding the altricial chicks for the next 20 days or so.

Rollers prefer building their nests in a cavity about 15 – 20 feet above the level. They commonly occupy abandoned termite mounds or holes made in trees by the woodpeckers. The plain flat pad made of grass will be under tight security from both parents. 

2. Lilac-breasted Rollers were named after their courtship flight

During courtship, a lilac-breasted roller will fly upwards for about 33 feet and then swoop down with wings closed, before flapping to gain speed towards the ground. During this dive, the bird may roll side to side a few times and squawk loudly before swooping up again.

Male lilac-breasted rollers are highly territorial. In addition to the mighty display, they will fight any intruder including other males that may enter their territorial ground. While fighting up, they use their wings and claws to beat one another.

3. Lilac-breasted Rollers are non-dimorphic

It isn’t easy to differentiate between male and female lilac-breasted rollers. They are similar in all aspects including how they look and care for their young ones. Perhaps the easiest way of distinguishing them is by looking at their aerial antics during breeding season.

The male performs acrobatic maneuvers before finding a perch near the female. They are slightly larger and they also play an active role in scaring intruders by flying in a rolling pattern. Birds of prey, like the Wahlberg’s eagle, bateleur eagle, and the peregrine falcon, are the main predators.

4. Lilac-breasted Rollers are carnivores

Lilac-breasted rollers feed exclusively on arthropods and small vertebrates. Ground-dwelling insects, spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, and snails make up their regular diet. They also prey on small snakes, chameleons, and slow-moving lizards.

Their fearless nature makes them relentless hunters. When the prey is too big, they can keep attacking it with its claws and wings until it gets disoriented. Most of their hunting grounds include freshly cultivated or burned farmlands and open grasslands where insects and small vertebrates emerge.

5. Lilac-breasted Rollers avoid human-inhabited areas

Lilac-breasted roller is commonly found alone or in pairs at the top of trees, or any other high point where it can clearly spot its prey. Despite being fearless to humans, you won’t easily find Kenya’s national bird hovering or nesting near human-inhabited areas.

Their preference is open savannah habitats with scattered trees and shrubs. However, you may spot them in riverine vegetation and light forests as long as they have access to elevated perches. It is a common bird in the Masai Mara, Nairobi National Park, and Lake Nakuru National Park.

Final thought

The Lilac-breasted Roller is a favorite among bird watchers and photographers. Its vibrant mix of colors has earned it the title of Kenya’s national bird. In addition to their catchy plumage, Lilac-breasted roller excite with their acrobatic flights during their breeding season.

This bird is found in Kenya’s national parks and game reserves making it one of the popular birds to spot on a safari. Several migratory birds including the flamingos of Lake Bogoria arrive in Kenya between late May and early July making it the best time for birdwatching. Don’t forget to carry binoculars, a camera, and a good spotting scope.