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Lilac Breasted Roller


Lilac Breasted Roller
Photo Information
Copyright: Aivar Mikko (metcher) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 12 N: 967] (4105)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-26
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 350D, Canon EF300mm 4/L IS + 1.4x EXT
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/320 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds., Birds of South Africa 1, Birds of the World, Favorite Rollers [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-11-16 1:59
Viewed: 1202
Points: 44
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The average size of the Lilac Breasted Roller is 14.5 inches. The washed green head is large, the neck is short, the greenish yellow legs are rather short and the feet are small. The beak is strong, arched and hooked-tipped. The tail is narrow and of medium length. The back and scapulars are brown. The shoulder of the wing, outer webs of the flight feathers and the rump are all violet. The bases of the primaries and their coverts are pale greenish blue and the outer tail feathers are elongated and blackish. The chin is whitish, shading to rich lilac of the breast. The underparts are greenish blue. The bill is black and the eyes are brown. It has large wings and strong flight.
Diet
The Lilac Breasted Roller feeds on grasshoppers, beetles, occasionally lizards, crabs, and small amphibians. They take prey from the ground.
Breeding
They make unlined nests in natural tree holes or in termite hills. Sometimes they take over woodpecker's or kingfisher's nest holes. They lay 2-4 white eggs, which are incubated by both sexes for 22-24 days. At 19 days the chicks are fully feathered and grayish brown.
Behaviour
Rollers get their name from their impressive courtship flight, a fast, shallow dive from considerable elevation with a rolling or fast rocking motion, accompanied by loud raucous calls.
All rollers appear to be monogamous and highly territorial. The Lilac Breasted Roller will perch on a dead tree, surveying the area for prey. One typical aspect of its behavior is that it also preys on animals fleeing from bush fires. It is a swift flier, indulging in acrobatics during the breeding season. They actually breed 'on the wing'. They live in pairs or small groups, but are often seen alone.
Their call is a loud harsh squawk, 'zaaak'. They are partly migratory, but in some areas they are sedentary. To feed they swoop down from an elevated perch next to their prey and eat it on the ground or return to a perch where they batter it before swallowing it whole. They are territorial, also defending temporarily small feeding territories; hence individuals are regularly spaced along roads. They drive off many species from near their nest hole, even after breeding.
Source: http://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_lilac_breasted_roller.html
greenpinkorange, wallhalla15, jcoowanitwong, blakitan, vanderschelden, scottevers7, reina, pablominto, Alex99, Ken52, Tamrock has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Aivar

This image really packs punch! The plumage colour is beautiful. Clear sharpo details and the catchlight in the eye is awesome. Simply beautiful! :-)

OH WOW! What lovely colors! So precise and clear. Sharp and detailed.. allow me to appreciate this breed of bird even more. Good catchlight in the eyes too! :)
Great one.
Steph

  • Great 
  • jojo Gold Star Critiquer [C: 168 W: 0 N: 8] (176)
  • [2006-11-16 3:19]

Splendide image, couleurs et détails parfaits
bravo

jojo

Aivar, this is an excellent picture. Fantastic colours, excellent sharpness and great POV too. This is a great composition. Well done. TFS.
Gr.
Heinz

Hello Aivar,
Lovely bird with stunning plumage color. Beautifully composed and crisp clear image. Very well done and seen. TFS.
JC

Hi Aivar,
Interesting colorful cute little bird. Superbly captured. Great DoF, great sharpness and neat BG. Well composed picture.
Excellent shot.

Ben Lakitan

Aivar hi..
Nice shot. Very colourful bird depicted. You can really enjoy its palette.
TFS
Annick

Hi Aivar,
Your composition and framing looks excellent here. A spot on exposure has brought out all the excellent colors and hues in the plumage. Nice sharp detail. This looks great!
Scott

Hello Aivar,

excellent work, Great detais, very crisp, nicly composed and capture photo, nice POV DOF, Great work,

TFS kyle

  • Great 
  • reina Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 262 W: 1 N: 321] (1978)
  • [2006-11-16 12:22]

Well done, funny how this bird is resting on this kind of tree. Very colourful, well contrast against the blue sky, interesting note. Reina

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 870 W: 2 N: 606] (2034)
  • [2006-11-16 13:34]

Hello Aivar , Fantastic shot ,a great capture from this bird ,the details and the colours are beautiful , Greetings Teunie .

Hej Aivar!
Przesliczny barwny ptaszek. Zdjecie ostre i przyjemny kadr. Z zaciekawieniem przeczytalam opis.
Dziekuje i pozdrawiam - Roma

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2006-11-16 18:33]

Hello Aivar

A beautiful shot of this colourful bird.The details are sharp,clear and well focused.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1676 W: 5 N: 2144] (11868)
  • [2006-11-16 21:27]

Superbe oiseau et superbe couleurs. Bravo pour les détails et l,exposition.

Merci Aivar!
Joseph

Hello Aivar,
A lovely bird, colourful!
Good point of view contributes to a fine composition, the plumage is skillfully captured with great colours and sharp fine details!
Greetings,
Pablo -

bonjour aivar
how,difficile de faire plus coloré!
bon POV,la netteté est excellente.
juste qu'il manque un peu d'espace devant l'oiseau.
laurent

Excellent pic, love this bird and also posted one, but this one is better. Well done

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1470 W: 18 N: 2966] (10884)
  • [2006-11-18 10:56]

Wonderful colours in this bird, wonderful details in the feathers, excellent composition and pov

Tfs

Karan

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2991 W: 148 N: 4435] (14369)
  • [2006-11-24 7:52]

Hi Aivar.
I think this is one of the most beautiful pictures of this nice bird. The arrangement of all objects are very pleasant for look and correct. The reproduction of the colours and details of the bird and branch are perfect. The lighting, exposure and contrast are above of any praise. My compliments and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 660 W: 98 N: 1249] (4153)
  • [2006-11-26 23:09]

One of the most colorful birds I have seen. Outstanding detail, very nice light, good POV, excellent composition.

hi aivar!
exellent!
very beautiful bird with good
sharpness and fine pov
well done!

  • Great 
  • darwin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 245 W: 0 N: 447] (1690)
  • [2008-02-07 19:27]

Hi Aivar
WoW Beautiful shot
tfs jon

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