Racket-tailed Roller     

Range: Southern Africa 
Size: ♂: 28-30cm( 11-12 in) 
         ♀: 28-30cm (11-12 in)
Weight ♂: 88-111g (3.1-3.9g) 
            ♀: 88-111g (3.1-3.9g)
Wing: N/A
Habitat: Open woodlands 
Incubation: 18-20 days
Eggs: 2-3
Fledge: 4 weeks
Sexual maturity: 24 month 
Nest: tree cavity
Social: pairs or small groups 
Breeding: cooperative breeder 
Movement : Sedentary
Food: flying insects
IUCN: Least Concern Subspecies : 2
Longevity: captive: 25 yrs 

Named for its 3.15 inch tail the Racket-tailed Roller is a beautiful bird. Both males and females possess a striking tail and a lilac colored breast. It is both the smallest and lightest member of its family. The tail for which it is named has no feathers on its retrix, main vein of the feather, starting about midway down its length and then ends in a spoon shaped tip. There are two subspecies which have been known to hybridize.

This species feeds on many species of invertebrates . It sits on a perch and swoops down on ground dwelling scorpions, beetles and locusts. It will also take small lizards on occasion. 

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