Basic Information
Scientific classification
- Chinese name: Purple-breasted Buddhist monk
- Scientific name: *Coracias caudatus*, Lilac-breasted Roller
- Classification: Climbing birds
- Classification and Genus: Order Coraciiformes, Family Coraciiformes, Genus Coraciiformes
Vital signs data
- Body length: 26-30 cm
- Weight: 87-135g
- Lifespan: No verification data available.
Significant features
Distribution and Habitat
Purple-breasted Buddhas and Sangha are widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eritrea, and Oman.
Appearance
The Purple-breasted Roller is a medium-sized climbing bird. It has a stout, broad, conical beak with a slightly downward-curving hook at the tip. The second and third toes are fused at the base. Its wings are long and pointed. The tail is long, often square. Its typical plumage is blue and green. The male flies to a high place and swoops down, emitting a sharp cry. Males and females are similar in color. Juveniles lack the long tail feathers of adults.
Detailed introduction
The purple-breasted Buddha-sangha, scientifically known as *Coracias caudatus*, is called the Lilac-breasted Roller, but its specific habits are unknown.
The Purple-breasted Roller prefers vast woodlands and grasslands, and can be gregarious or solitary. Its habitats are diverse, ranging from high mountains to plains, around rivers and lakes; from large forests to gardens and fields near settlements; and from water, burrows, land, and air. It is adept at standing for long periods and also a skilled flier. It can flutter through the air like a butterfly chasing flying insects, or suddenly flap its wings to fix itself on a point in the air (hovering, spying on prey on the water's surface), before swooping down to catch its prey. Its aerial flight is often prolonged. In addition to these flight methods, it feeds by suddenly leaping from branches to snatch flying insects, like flycatchers; some peck at wild fruits on branches, while others peck at fallen fruit or chase insects and ants on the ground. Its calls are generally simple and lack melodious songs. The Purple-breasted Roller primarily feeds on insects, lizards, scorpions, snails, small birds, and rodents on the ground.
The Purple-breasted Roller breeds in caves, digging tunnels in natural tree cavities or along riverbanks, hillsides, graves, and mountain paths to lay its eggs. Each clutch contains 1-8 eggs, typically white and unspotted. Both parents incubate the eggs together, becoming more aggressive during this time. Incubation lasts 18-24 days, after which the chicks hatch and require parental care for 3-4 weeks. During the breeding season, the male flies to a high place and swoops down, emitting a sharp call. Males and females are similar in color. Juveniles lack the long tail feathers of adults.
Listed as Least Concern (LC) in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 ver 3.1.
Protect wild animals and ban the consumption of wild game.
Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!
