[3] The genus Brachypteracias once included the scaly ground roller, but a 2001 study of the DNA of the family found that the two are not closely related.

[5] The species name leptosomus is also of Greek origin, and is derived from leptos for delicate and sōma for body.

Its natural habitat is humid tropical moist lowland forests, from sea-level to 1,500 m (4,900 ft), although it is more common at lower altitudes.

[7] The short-legged ground roller has a large head and bill, and a puffy throat.

Nevertheless, it is considered to be threatened with extinction due to the rapid loss of its habitat to slash and burns for subsistence agriculture.