Scaly Ground Roller by Dubi Shapiro (Geobiastes squamigera)

This is the Scaly Ground Roller, a fairly large and elusive forest understorey species that is endemic to the worlds largest island, Madagascar. A very secretive bird, it is usually located by its mournful whoop call which it utters every few seconds. As its name suggests, it is a ground-dwelling species, spending most of its time hopping amongst the dense leaf litter in search of the centipedes and earthworms that form the basis of its diet. Many thanks to Dubi Shapiro for allowing us to share this splendid image, which he captured during what can only be described as a very successful photographic expedition around the island.