Rufous-headed Ground-Roller
Atelornis crossleyi
Chunky, long-legged, richly colored bird. White shoulder marks are conspicuous in flight. Elusive and shy; unlikely to be seen by those not searching for it. Found in eastern rainforest, at upper and middle elevations. Feeds in the understory, usually in thick areas, often with bamboo. Avoids disturbance by fleeing on the ground or making short flights. Song is a quick hollow “kwowp” note that is repeated slowly, delivered from a low perch, often a mossy log. Lacks the intricate scaly marks of Scaly Ground-Roller and the pale underparts and complex head pattern of Pitta-like Ground-Roller.
Identification
The sexes are similar in this distinctively-coloured bird about 25 cm (10 in) long. The head and breast are reddish-brown, the upper parts olive green and the underparts buff with darker markings. There is a narrow blackish collar with white vertical streaks on the upper breast and an iridescent light blue patch on the carpal wing joint. The tail is short and the beak and legs are grey.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Atelornis crossleyi
- Authority
- Sharpe, 1875
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Brachypteraciidae
- Genus
- Atelornis
Range and habitat
The rufous-headed ground roller is endemic to eastern Madagascar where it is found in montane evergreen rain forests at altitudes between 800 and 2,000 m (2,600 and 6,600 ft), but is most common between 1,250 and 1,750 m (4,100 and 5,700 ft). Although present in most mountain regions, it is absent from Montagne d'Ambre in the far north of the island.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The rufous-headed ground roller is terrestrial and feeds amongst dense vegetation on the ground, taking a range of prey, particularly insects such as ants, beetles and their larvae, caterpillars, butterflies and cockroaches. It nests in a burrow up to 50 cm (20 in) deep in an earth bank. Breeding probably takes place in December and January, and the clutch size is normally two eggs.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-and-white Bulbul
Microtarsus melanoleucos
While highly distinctive, this bulbul can be irruptive and moves in flocks over a wide range; it is thus infrequently encountered. Both sexes are dark with white shoulder patches; female is slightly browner. Moves through lowland and foothill evergreen forest and forest edge. Forages throughout all forest levels, but most common in upper levels, where it often gathers in the crowns of fruiting trees. Occasionally gives abrupt metallic ‘ching!’
Fulvous-headed Tanager
Thlypopsis fulviceps
Small tanager with gray body and chestnut head. Underparts paler than upperparts, and belly white. Female similar to male but with paler throat. Very active foraging for insects, often in pairs, small groups, or in mixed-species flocks in the canopy or lower in the forest border. Locally common in humid forests and second growth woodland in foothills. Vocalizations are accelerating sharp kiss-like notes. No similar species in range.
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle
Geranoaetus melanoleucus
Large raptor with broad wings and short tail. Fairly common and widespread in South America, from high elevations in the Andes of Colombia to the lowlands in Tierra del Fuego. Adults have a dark gray head and breast contrasting with a white belly. Wings are silvery-gray from above; from below, the coverts are white contrasting with dark flight feathers. Note the shape in flight with bulging secondaries, tapered wingtips, and a very short tail. Young birds are brown and streaky, tricky to distinguish from Variable Hawk. Look for bulkier shape and shorter, more graduated tail.
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