Purple roller

Coracias naevius

The purple roller, also called the rufous-crowned roller, is found over sub-Saharan Africa to as far south as Namibia and the Transvaal. Compared with other rollers its colours are rather dull and its voice rather harsh and grating.
Rufous-crowned Roller, Kenya former name: Purple Roller Coracias naevius,Geotagged,Kenya,Purple roller,Winter

Habitat

Its preferred habitat is dry thornveld where it spends long periods perched at the top of thorn trees or poles, watching for food items such as insects, spiders, scorpions and small lizards on the ground. It rocks to and fro about its longitudinal axis during display flights, calling raucously all the while.
Pair of Purple Rollers When these birds open their wings and take flight, their underbelly is a lovely purple.  Wished I could have caught them in flight, but this was the next best thing.                                                               Botswana,Coracias naevius,Geotagged,Purple Roller

Reproduction

This species seems to be an opportunist breeder, possibly linked to rains, as its breeding season varies from place to place. It nests in natural hollows in trees or uses old woodpecker holes, usually laying 3 white eggs. The young are fed and incubated by both parents.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassAves
OrderCoraciiformes
FamilyCoraciidae
GenusCoracias
SpeciesC. naevius