|
The lilac-breasted roller (''Coracias caudatus'') is an African member of the roller family of birds. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula, preferring open woodland and savanna; it is largely absent from treeless places. Usually found alone or in pairs, it perches conspicuously at the tops of trees, poles or other high vantage points from where it can spot insects, lizards, scorpions, snails, small birds and rodents moving about at ground level. Nesting takes place in a natural hole in a tree where a clutch of 2–4 eggs is laid, and incubated by both parents, who are extremely aggressive in defence of their nest, taking on raptors and other birds. During the breeding season the male will rise to great heights, descending in swoops and dives, while uttering harsh, discordant cries. The sexes are alike in coloration. Juveniles do not have the long tail feathers that adults do. This species is the national bird of Kenya. == Taxonomy == Lilac-breasted rollers are in the Coraciidae (Roller) Family of birds. Rollers can be identified as medium sized birds with strong, slightly hooked beaks and stocky bodies, often with brightly-colored plumage.〔Mayr G, Mourer-Chauvire C. Rollers (Aves: Coraciiformes S.S.) from the middle Eocene of Messel (Germany) and the Upper Eocene of Quercy (France). 2000. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 20(3):533–546 〕 There are two subspecies of ''Coracias caudatus'', the true lilac-breasted roller (''C. caudatus caudatus''), and the lilac-throated roller (''C. caudatus lorti''). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Lilac-breasted roller」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|