Long-tailed Ground Roller

Long-tailed Ground Roller

The Long-tailed ground-roller (Uratelornis chimaera) is a species of bird in the family Brachypteraciidae, placed in the monotypic genus Uratelornis. Endemic to arid spiny forests near the coast in southwestern Madagascar, this ground roller occurs in extremely low population densities throughout its habitat. This species requires shade and a deep layer of leaves, and it is absent from parts of the spiny forest lacking these traits. It has no recognized subspecies, and its closest relative is the Scaly Ground Roller. The Long-tailed Ground Roller is the only ground roller to definitively display sexual dimorphism, or differences in plumage or size between sexes. It is a medium-sized bird with a plump silhouette and a long tail. The upperparts are dark brown with black streaks while the underparts are light gray. The white throat is framed by black malar stripes and a black breastband, and a white stripe is present at the base of the bill. Sky blue feathers are visible at the edge of the wings and the tail. Calls are rarely made outside of the breeding season, though multiple territorial calls are made.

These ground rollers feed primarily on invertebrates, including ants, beetles, butterflies, and worms, which it finds by searching through deep leaf litter for its prey or by waiting attentively for an opportunity. Its wings are relatively weak, so the ground roller primarily uses its strong legs to run through its habitat. The Long-tailed Ground Roller is a monogamous species, and it defends a territory during the breeding season of October to February. The species digs a tunnel in the sand, at the end of which is a wider chamber where it makes its nest out of leaves and earthy pellets. Two to four eggs are laid. After the chicks fledge, the birds continue living in family groups until at least February before dispersing more widely across the scrubland.

This species is classified as Vulnerable and is threatened by habitat destruction. The arid spiny forests in which it lives are unprotected by the Malagasy government, and as such the bird is losing habitat to slash-and-burn agriculture, charcoal collection, and logging. This ground roller is also hunted by the native peoples of Madagascar.