Photo: Boyd Robert Horsbrugh (1871-1916) / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Scaly Ground Roller
Geobiastes squamiger
Scaly Ground Roller (Geobiastes squamiger) — Kingfishers & Rollers of Africa.
The Scaly Ground Roller (Geobiastes squamiger) is a member of the Brachypteraciidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 155 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Coraciiformes
- Family Brachypteraciidae Ground Rollers
- Genus Geobiastes
- Species squamiger
Quick facts
- Weight
- 155 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Brachypteraciidae
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Scaly 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 Scaly Ground Roller is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Scaly Ground Roller (Geobiastes squamiger) is a member of the Brachypteraciidae family, within the order Coraciiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e Madagascar.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 155 g, with a wing length of about 12 cm and a tail of around 9.5 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 21,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Scaly Ground Roller?
The Scaly Ground Roller is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 155 g.
Where does the Scaly Ground Roller live?
The Scaly Ground Roller is found across Africa with a range covering AF e Madagascar, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Scaly Ground Roller belong to?
The Scaly Ground Roller (Geobiastes squamiger) belongs to the Brachypteraciidae family, in the order Coraciiformes.
What does the Scaly Ground Roller eat?
The Scaly Ground Roller is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Scaly Ground Roller migrate?
The Scaly Ground Roller is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Scaly Ground Roller endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Scaly Ground Roller make?
1 real field recording of the Scaly 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 Scaly Ground Roller's range?
The Scaly Ground Roller has a mapped global range of about 21,000 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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