Brachypteraciidae Archives

Brachypteraciidae - Ground-Rollers

There are only five species in this family, and they are all found in Madagascar.

Four species live in the rainforest, and one, the long-tailed ground-roller, lives in the desert. They are crow-sized birds and eat insects and reptiles.

They nest in holes in the ground and live in pairs.

Rufous-Headed Ground-Roller
(Atelornis crossleyi)

The rufous-headed ground-roller is found in humid highland areas of the evergreen forest belt of eastern Madagascar. It is also known as Crossley's ground-roller. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
Pitta-Like Ground-Roller
(Atelornis pittoides)

The pitta-like ground-roller is found in humid evergreen forests in Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Short-Legged Ground-Roller
(Brachypteracias leptosomus)

The short-legged ground-roller is found in eastern Madagascar. It prefers the darker, more humid areas of the rainforest. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
Scaly Ground-Roller
(Brachypteracias squamiger)

The scaly ground-roller is found only in eastern Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
Long-Tailed Ground-Roller
(Uratelornis chimaera)

The long-tailed ground-roller is found in a narrow strip of land in south-west coast of Madagascar. It is a ground-dwelling bird. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable