Visitors 5
Modified 6-Nov-26
Created 1-Nov-26
26 photos
This bold predator, native to southern and eastern Africa, is the unofficial national bird of Kenya. Strikingly colorful: who asked for all that? Males and females look alike. When courting, they show off in spectacular rolling aerial displays.
Perched on the highest point around, vividly colored for all to see, it scans the ground for prey. An approaching safari vehicle is no worry. Sudden agile flight captures the insect or small animal before it can flee.
One morning, my camera caught a Lilac-breasted Roller taking off from its lookout. When I again focused on it, it had snagged a small frog. It took a while to shake and subdue its prey before swallowing. Then off for the next adventure.
Other photos show a roller on a signpost, bobbing its tail. Another encounter: spiky feathers, bold glance.
Perched on the highest point around, vividly colored for all to see, it scans the ground for prey. An approaching safari vehicle is no worry. Sudden agile flight captures the insect or small animal before it can flee.
One morning, my camera caught a Lilac-breasted Roller taking off from its lookout. When I again focused on it, it had snagged a small frog. It took a while to shake and subdue its prey before swallowing. Then off for the next adventure.
Other photos show a roller on a signpost, bobbing its tail. Another encounter: spiky feathers, bold glance.
Dan Quinn