The Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus (also known as Mzilikazi’s Roller) is perhaps the most vividly coloured of the four roller species found in Zimbabwe, where it is most common in thornveld and mixed woodland, often seen perched on roadside poles. Rollers are named for their courtship flights, during which a pair perform spectacular aerobatic somersaults and manoeuvres. They nest in summer, making use of existing tree cavities.

The beauty of the Lilac-breasted Roller particularly struck Mzilikazi, the king of the Matabele. It was decreed that its iridescent turquoise wing feathers were to be reserved for use in his personal headdress. No individual was permitted to kill this bird except for exclusive use by the king, and thus it became protected under Ndebele law during his reign. While conducting interviews in the Hwange district, I discovered that, despite their beauty, the Nambya dislike these rollers due to their raucous call which is often uttered in flight. They are thought to signify bad luck, particularly if flying in the vicinity of a funeral procession.

Local names for the Lilac-breasted Roller in Zimbabwe:

Gatawa – Shona (all dialects)
iFefe, iFifi, iTshegela – Ndebele
Sikaka – baTonga/Nambya
Matlakela – Venda/Sotho
Bvebve, Thekedwani – Shangaan

Information for this section was obtained only from interviews with contributors.

For more information on this species visit:

https://ebird.org/species/librol2

http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/lilac-breasted-roller-coracias-caudatus