The world has millions of bird species, I should think, but there are some that stand out. They are beautiful.
It is incredibly amazing to watch them, their beautifully choreographed dances, and their sharpened beaks, how they slice the silver linings of clouds with their beautiful wings. They are like children of the sky. Free-spirited, flying, swooping, singing and playing with no cares whatsoever.
Kenya is a land of great diversity, in its people and culture, the 43 ethnic groups, their language, beliefs, and practices all merged into one person represented in our striped black (representing the people), red, green and white flag. That’s beautiful, isn’t it?
Well, it seems like Kenya, with all its diversity and beauty, has more beauty to offer in one of the world’s most beautiful birds, made up of diverse colors. A pretty little bird with eight colors-green, white, black, yellow, turquoise, dark blue, reddish-brown, and lilac-all on one bird. The lilac-breasted roller bird fondly called Kenya’s national bird.
While the bird is rare and found only in Sub-Saharan Africa and the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, you can find them almost anywhere in Kenya, which is why it is the country’s national bird.
Here are some facts about the lilac-breasted roller bird;
- Its pastel plumage, striking field marks, and long-tail streamers makes it considered the most beautiful bird in the world. It is believed that tourists visiting Kenya searching for things like mammals leave the country birders.
- They are solitary birds. You either spot them alone or in pairs. During winter they stay in small families.
- Unlike other bird species, the lilac-breasted bird is monogamous. They mate with only one bird at a time. During mating the male dives with a rolling (and this is how it gets its ‘roller’ name) or rocking quality as well as loops and twists.
- They are sociable. They are not afraid of human presence. One can move as close as possible to the bird but it won’t fly away. You ‘two’ can pose for a selfie (wink).
- It does not migrate like its counterpart the lilac-throated roller. It stays and breeds in Kenya.
- They are hardly seen in rural and urban areas as they are known to keep off human-influenced areas. If you happen to see one in such a place, the poor thing could probably be abandoned or dumped.
- It can be 36 to 38 cm long, and that length includes the tail which can be 8 to 9 cm long and has an average weight of 104 grams.
- They are ready to breed when they are two years old and can live for up to ten years. Captive lilac-breasted birds can live for more than ten years.
- While it is considered a rare bird, it is not listed as endangered as its population is believed to be stable.
- They are a little brave animals. While other insects and animals flee during bush fires, these ones are bold enough to swoop on them looking for ready prey.