Masoala National Park
Sava · Best Drier months
1 place
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Scaly Ground-roller
Geobiastes squamigerVulnerable
The scaly ground roller (Geobiastes squamiger) is a species of bird in a monotypic genus in the near-passerine family Brachypteraciidae.
Scaly Ground-roller isn't recorded around South Africa
These are the parks where hosts on Spekboom record it.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Oct to Nov
When Scaly Ground-roller sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsOct to Nov
Records72 records
Curve from 72 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 26,450a night
Birder friendly
Sasi Bush Lodge
Bergville
From R 5,400a night
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Birder friendly
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Birder friendly
Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Hazyview
From R 22,680a night
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Price on request
Welgelegen House by RETURN Africa
Gardens, Cape Town
From R 2,800a night
An African Story by RETURN Africa
Bakoven, Cape Town
From R 9,900a night
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price on request
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Birder friendly
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 8,380a night
Birder friendly
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Birder friendly
Jaci's Private Lodge
Madikwe
From R 31,500a night
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Schoone Oordt Country House
Swellendam
From R 4,355a night
Phelwana Game Lodge
Hoedspruit
From R 1,100a night
La Clé Lodge & Villas
Franschhoek
Price on request
Bitou River Lodge
Wittedrift, Plettenberg Bay
From R 2,250a night
Plumbago Cottage - Stanford Country Cottages
Stanford
From R 2,850a night
Coot Club
Stanford
Price on request
Birder friendly
Lauradale
Stellenbosch
From R 1,465a night
Moonshine on Whiskey Creek
The Crags, Plettenberg Bay
From R 1,950a night
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Price on request
The Drakensberg
Next stop
Sandstone amphitheatres and cool mountain air
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Scaly Ground-roller
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
IUCN Red List
Vulnerable
Species
Geobiastes squamiger
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Scaly Ground-roller on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
When is the best time to see the Scaly Ground-roller?
Sightings of the Scaly Ground-roller peak from Oct to Nov, based on 72 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the Scaly Ground-roller?
The Scaly Ground-roller (Geobiastes squamiger) is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Scaly Ground-roller?
The scaly ground roller (Geobiastes squamiger) is a species of bird in a monotypic genus in the near-passerine family Brachypteraciidae. It is endemic to eastern Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest. The scaly ground roller is found at elevations below 1,000 meters (3,300 ft), and one of the few birds of Madagascar to reside in lowland rainforest.