Pitta-like ground roller
At Zurich Zoologischer Garten, Switzerland
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Brachypteraciidae
Genus: Atelornis
Species:
A. pittoides
Binomial name
Atelornis pittoides
(Lafresnaye, 1834)

The pitta-like ground roller (Atelornis pittoides) is a species of bird in the ground roller family Brachypteraciidae. The species is monotypic, having no subspecies. It is endemic to Madagascar.

The species was described by Frédéric de Lafresnaye in 1834. The specific name pittoides is a reference to its resemblance to the pittas, an unrelated family of passerine birds.[2]

Description

The pitta-like ground roller is a small and slender member of the family, 25 to 29 cm (9.8–11.4 in) long and weighing 74–114 g (2.6–4.0 oz). It has a cobalt-blue head with a black mask and a white supercilium and throat, which is bordered in blue. The upperparts are bronzy green and the belly is white with buff flanks, and the breast and back have a rufous band.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The pitta-like ground roller is endemic to the eastern half of Madagascar, from the extreme north to the southern edge, and has the widest distribution of any member of the family. It also has a wider range of habitats that it is prepared to occupy, being found in all natural rainforest types on the island from sea-level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft), although it is commonest between 800–1,600 m (2,600–5,200 ft). It can also appear in smaller numbers in degraded secondary forest. It is generally non-migratory but changes in numbers linked to the weather have been noted so some undescribed movements may be happening.[3]

Behaviour

The pitta-like ground roller is terrestrial and feeds on the ground, taking a range of prey, particularly insects such as ants, beetles, cockroaches and butterflies. It also takes worms and small reptiles such as chameleons and frogs. It hunts by standing motionless and watching, followed by short runs to take a new position. Once prey is located it sallies or runs towards it to take it.[3]

The pitta-like ground roller is a seasonal breeder, with most activity happening between October and February. It nests in a cavity dug into an earth bank, usually 50 to 100 cm (20–39 in) deep, which ends in a chamber 20 cm (7.9 in) in diameter. The female incubates the two to four shiny white eggs alone, although the male may feed her during the incubation period. Both parents feed the chicks.[3]

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2016). "Atelornis pittoides". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22682955A92970218. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682955A92970218.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Jobling, J. A. (2018). del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J.; Christie, D. A.; de Juana, E. (eds.). "Key to Scientific Names in Ornithology". Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Langrand, O; Kirwan, G. M. (2018). del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew; Sargatal, Jordi; Christie, David A; de Juana, Eduardo (eds.). "Pitta-like Ground-roller (Atelornis pittoides)". Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
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