Pitta-like ground roller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pitta-like ground roller |
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| At Zurich Zoologischer Garten, Switzerland | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Atelornis
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| Species: |
pittoides
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The pitta-like ground roller (also known as Atelornis pittoides) is a special type of bird. It belongs to a group of birds called ground rollers. This bird is found only on the island of Madagascar. It's the only species of its kind, meaning it doesn't have any different versions or subspecies.
A scientist named Frédéric de Lafresnaye first described this bird in 1834. Its scientific name, pittoides, means it looks a bit like birds called pittas. However, pittas are not closely related to the pitta-like ground roller.
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What Does It Look Like?
The pitta-like ground roller is a small and slim bird. It is about 25 to 29 centimeters (10 to 11 inches) long. It weighs between 74 and 114 grams (2.6 to 4 ounces).
This bird has a bright blue head. It has a black area around its eyes, like a mask. A white stripe above its eye and a white throat stand out. The white throat is outlined in blue. Its back is a shiny bronze-green color. The belly is white, and its sides are a light brown. It also has a reddish-brown band across its chest and back.
Where Does It Live?
The pitta-like ground roller lives only in the eastern part of Madagascar. It can be found from the very north to the southern edge of the island. This bird has the widest range of any ground roller.
It also lives in many different types of forests. You can find it in all natural rainforests on Madagascar. It lives from sea level up to 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) high. It is most common between 800 and 1,600 meters (2,620 to 5,250 feet). Sometimes, it can also be seen in smaller numbers in forests that have been partly damaged. These birds usually stay in one place. However, their numbers might change with the weather. This suggests they might move around a bit, but we don't know much about these movements yet.
How Does It Behave?
The pitta-like ground roller spends its time on the ground. It finds its food there. It eats many different things, especially insects. These include ants, beetles, cockroaches, and butterflies. It also eats worms and small reptiles. Sometimes, it even catches chameleons and frogs.
This bird hunts by standing very still and watching. Then, it makes short runs to a new spot. Once it sees prey, it quickly runs or jumps to catch it.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Pitta-like ground rollers breed during certain times of the year. Most of their breeding activity happens between October and February. They build their nests in holes they dig into earth banks. These holes are usually 50 to 100 centimeters (20 to 39 inches) deep. The tunnel ends in a round chamber about 20 centimeters (8 inches) wide.
The female bird lays two to four shiny white eggs. She sits on the eggs to keep them warm all by herself. However, the male bird might bring her food while she is incubating. Once the chicks hatch, both parents work together to feed them.
