Other Scientific Names
Brachypteracias squamigera [Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993)], Brachypteracias squamigera [Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)], Brachypteracias squamigera [BirdLife International (2000)]
Other Names (World)
Scaly Ground-Roller, Scaled Ground-roller, Scaly Ground Roller
Habitat
Undisturbed, primary rainforest with damp soils, dark and tangled undergrowth, low herbaceous vegetation and a layer of leaf-litter and branches.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 2,500 - 9,999 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Forest habitat loss through slash-and-burn cultivation, logging, human settlement, and hunting are the main theats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Food
Invertebrates, chiefly earthworms but also snails, centipedes, spiders, ants and beetles. More rarely small vertebrates.
Voice
Call is low, emphatic 'boop', given once every 10 seconds or so.
Scaly Ground Roller (Geobiastes squamiger) [XC67730]
by Fernand DEROUSSEN from Toamasina Province; Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Mantadia, Madagascar (song)
Scaly Ground Roller (Geobiastes squamiger) [XC142939]
by Hans Matheve from Moramanga, Toamasina, Madagascar (song)
Nest
A cavity lined with dead leaves at the end of a burrow up to 1 m long in the ground or in a low bank.