In Madagascar, there is a long list of bird families that are unique to the island, or occur sparingly elsewhere: mesites, couas, vangas and ground rollers. This individual, a Pitta-like ground-roller, stands still and waits for prey. It always hunts from the ground and its favorite prey is insects and arthropods. Just like our European (Common) kingfisher, it excavates its nest in a mud bank and the entrance to the nest can be up to one meter long.