Ground roller
Ground roller, any of five species of pigeon-sized birds that comprise the family Brachypteracidae (order Coraciiformes) known for their tumbling flight. They are found only in Madagascar. Four species inhabit deep forest; one, the long-tailed ground roller (Uratelornis chimaera), confined to a small desert in southwestern Madagascar, is nearly extinct. Ground rollers range from 30 to 40 centimetres (12 to 16 inches) in length.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Ground roller
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
12 November 2026
Access Date:
November 14, 2026