Pitta-like Ground Roller

Overview

The pitta-like ground roller (Atelornis pittoides) is a monotypic bird species within the ground roller family, Brachypteraciidae. It is the only member of its kind and is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Measures 25 to 29 cm in length and weighs between 74 and 114 g.
• Features a cobalt-blue head with a black mask and a white supercilium and throat bordered in blue.
• Upperparts are bronze green, with a white belly and buff flanks, separated by a rufous band across the breast and back.

Habitat

Endemic to the eastern half of Madagascar, it has the widest distribution of any ground roller, occurring from sea level to 2,000 m. It inhabits all natural rainforest types on the island, is most common between 800 and 1,600 m, and may also be found in degraded secondary forest.

Diet

This terrestrial species forages on the ground, feeding on insects such as ants, beetles, cockroaches and butterflies, as well as worms, small reptiles and frogs. It hunts by standing motionless before sallying or running towards its prey.

Did you know?

The female incubates two to four shiny white eggs alone in a cavity dug 50 to 100 cm into an earth bank, although the male may feed her during this period.