Status: | Species: | Common Name: | Last Update: |
---|---|---|---|
Offline | Atelornis crossleyi | Rufous-headed Ground-Roller | ----- |
Offline | Atelornis pittoides | Pitta-like Ground-Roller | ----- |
Offline | Brachypteracias leptosomus | Short-legged Ground-Roller | ----- |
Offline | Brachypteracias squamigera | Scaly Ground-Roller | ----- |
Offline | Uratelornis chimaera | Long-tailed Ground-Roller | ----- |
The family Brachypteraciidae, belonging to the order Bucerotiformes, comprises the ground rollers, a group of terrestrial birds endemic to Madagascar. These birds are characterized by their robust bodies, strong legs, and long, graduated tails, which aid in their agile movement along the forest floor. Ground rollers primarily feed on insects, small invertebrates, and occasionally small vertebrates, foraging by hopping or running through leaf litter. They are notable for their striking plumage, which often includes iridescent or boldly patterned feathers, and their distinctive vocalizations. Ground rollers play an important ecological role in controlling insect populations and dispersing seeds, and many species are threatened due to habitat loss from deforestation.