With the most romantic day approaching next week, what better way to celebrate valentine’s day then with a romantic #factfriday! This week we have facts about the most colourful bird in the world that symbolises peace, love, and marriage.
The most colourful bird in the world
The lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus) is one of the most stunning birds in the world. They are an absolute treat to see with their multiple coloured feathers glistening in the African sun. The species have around 8 different colours from reddish brown, yellow, dark blue, turquoise, green, lilac, black and white. The colours mix to create a gorgeous colourful rainbow appearance, thus also giving them a name of “rainbow rollers”.
The roller bird family (Coraciidae) is a species of Old World birds named for their unique ability to perform aerial acrobatics in flight, such as side to side rolling motions, with fast, shallow dives. There are four other roller species in Africa (Purple Roller, Lilac-throated Roller, Broad-billed Roller, and European Roller), but it is the Lilac-breasted Roller that is the most colourful.
Males and females look alike
Usually, there are dimorphic differences between males and females within a species, especially birds. The males usually have more colourful feathers and are usually larger in size. This is known as sexual dimorphism. The purpose of this is for the male to appear more ‘attractive’ to the female, being seen as healthier, stronger genes and is the preferred mate. The males compete with other males to win over the female’s attention and then can mate with her. However, lilac-breasted rollers do not fit into the dimorphic animals group. It is tricky to identify a male and female by the way they look in colour and size.
Partners, together, forever
The lilac-breasted roller is monogamous, a pair can mate for life. In the wild, they are usually alone or with their life-long partners. However, in the winter they may gather in small family groupings.
It is commonly believed that birds are generally monogamous because the parental time investment needed to raise chicks is so large. One parent is required to incubate the eggs in a nest, while the other collects food for the pair and the chicks once they hatch. Once the chicks leave the nest, its not long until breeding season begins all over again. To ensure the males genes are passed onto successive generations they must ensure the chicks survive, thrive, and reach sexual maturity so they can continue the bloodline. Reproductive success means that their genes have passed down to more then one generation. Therefore, staying together, sharing parental duties offer the offspring the best chance of survival.
Symbols of Peace and Love
In the past, some African tribes regarded the Lilac-breasted rollers as a sign of peace, and their monarchs would sacrifice it to mark the end of a war. This would announce peace in their region. To this day, they represent a strong bond between love and marriage.
To check the compatibility of a young couple, the Zulu uses lilac-breasted roller feathers to makes chains or ropes. They are used to wrap around the wrists of a couple who wishes to marry and if they stay intact, they are compatible and can marry. If they break, they are seen to not be ready to marry.
The Venda used the feathers to make wedding rings. The Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch colonists in South Africa, have traditionally decorated bridal gowns with the feathers of the lilac-breasted roller.
It is thought that this bird has been used for many marriage traditions because they are monogamous, a pair of lilac-breasted rollers mate for life.
Come back next Friday for more interesting facts, #factfriday !
