Broad-Billed Roller

I saw my third roller in Uganda (and later a fourth). I'd seen the lilac-breasted roller in Tanzania and the Indochinese roller in India. In Uganda I saw two broad-billed rollers, one on the branch of a tree on the shore of the Victoria Nile between Paraa and Murchison Falls and one on the dirt road going toward Kidepo Valley in Kidepo Valley NP, within about six miles of the border with South Sudan. I didn't know I'd photographed the roller on the Victoria Nile as the light was bad and I discovered it when I worked on my photos at home. On the other hand, I about choked when William pointed the roller out to me in KVNP, high up in a tree, the color was so loud and bright. 

Broad-billed roller in Murchison Falls NP along the Victoria Nile. Looking at the brown back which hides the colorful breast.

Broad-billed roller in Kidepo Valley NP.

In flight it reveals an incredible display of bold colors.

The broad-billed roller has a shockingly lilac foreneck and breast and the rest of the plumage is mainly brown, except for blue wings and tail. The broad bill is yellow. 

Broad-billed roller, ssp suahelicus, illustration, from Birds of the World. Suahelicus is smaller, lighter and brighter than the nominate subspecies. 

Broad-billed roller range from Birds of the World.

There are four subspecies. Suahelicus is found from Somalia to Uganda, northern Zambia, Angola, Mozambique and northeastern South Africa. 

I wish I could have gotten a better view and better photos of this beautiful bird.