The rufous-headed ground roller is a species of bird in the ground roller family, Brachypteraciidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. There are currently five known species of ground rollers. Four of these species live in the eastern and central highland humid forests. Unlike the four other species, the fifth species lives in the dry southwestern spiny bushes of Madagascar. The Atelornis crossleyi species of the ground rollers lives with most of its family in humid forests. The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers the bird to be near-threatened because, although it is present in a number of protected areas, it is hunted for food and the forests in which it lives are threatened by slash-and-burn cultivation. The bird's scientific name commemorates Alfred Crossley who collected mammals, birds, butterflies and moths in Madagascar and Cameroon in the 1860s and 1870s. Many of these are in the Natural History Museum, London.
Region
Eastern Madagascar
Typical Environment
Occurs in primary and well-structured secondary humid evergreen forests, typically with dense understory and bamboo thickets. Prefers shaded ravines, stream edges, and slopes with deep leaf litter for foraging. It is largely terrestrial but uses low branches as hunting perches. Highly dependent on intact forest and avoids extensive open or heavily disturbed areas.
Altitude Range
300–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This elusive ground roller is confined to Madagascar’s eastern humid forests, where it spends much of its time on or near the forest floor. It often forages by sallying from low perches to pounce on prey in leaf litter. Like other ground rollers, it nests in burrows excavated into earthen banks or sloping ground. Although present in several protected areas, it is sensitive to forest degradation and is sometimes hunted for food.
Temperament
secretive and terrestrial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and direct; reluctant flier
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs within well-defined territories. Pairs maintain contact with soft calls and may duet, especially at dawn. Nests are placed in burrows excavated in earthen banks or sloping ground, where both adults participate in incubation and chick-rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a series of mellow, whistled notes that may descend in pitch, carrying well through dense forest. Calls are most frequent at dawn and dusk and can include duetted phrases between pair members.
