Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Rufous-headed Ground Roller
Atelornis crossleyi
Rufous-headed Ground Roller (Atelornis crossleyi) — Kingfishers & Rollers of Africa.
The Rufous-headed Ground Roller (Atelornis crossleyi) is a member of the Brachypteraciidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 79 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Coraciiformes
- Family Brachypteraciidae Ground Rollers
- Genus Atelornis
- Species crossleyi
Quick facts
- Weight
- 79 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Brachypteraciidae
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Rufous-headed Ground Roller is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Rufous-headed Ground Roller is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Rufous-headed Ground Roller (Atelornis crossleyi) belongs to the Brachypteraciidae family of the order Coraciiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF montane nw, e Madagascar.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 79 g, with a wing length of about 9.2 cm and a tail of around 10.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 22,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Rufous-headed Ground Roller?
The Rufous-headed Ground Roller is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 79 g.
Where does the Rufous-headed Ground Roller live?
The Rufous-headed Ground Roller is found across Africa with a range covering AF montane nw, e Madagascar, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Rufous-headed Ground Roller belong to?
The Rufous-headed Ground Roller (Atelornis crossleyi) belongs to the Brachypteraciidae family, in the order Coraciiformes.
What does the Rufous-headed Ground Roller eat?
The Rufous-headed Ground Roller is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Rufous-headed Ground Roller migrate?
The Rufous-headed Ground Roller is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Rufous-headed Ground Roller endangered?
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
What sound does the Rufous-headed Ground Roller make?
1 real field recording of the Rufous-headed Ground Roller — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Rufous-headed Ground Roller's range?
The Rufous-headed Ground Roller has a mapped global range of about 22,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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