Indian Pitta

The Indian pitta, a passerine bird, is a vibrant yet elusive inhabitant of the Indian subcontinent. This small, stout bird is characterized by its short tail and robust build. It boasts a striking appearance with a buff crown stripe bordered by black, a bold black eye stripe, and a white throat. The upper parts are a verdant green, complemented by a blue tail, while the underparts are a warm buff with a vivid red splash on the lower belly and vent.

Identification Tips

To identify the Indian pitta, look for its distinctive stout bill, short tail, and strong legs. The combination of its colorful plumage, particularly the red on the lower belly, and its preference for foraging on the forest floor make it unmistakable. However, it is more often heard than seen, so its calls can be a reliable indicator of its presence.

Habitat

The Indian pitta thrives in a variety of wooded environments, including scrub jungle, deciduous forests, and dense evergreen forests. It is most commonly observed on the ground under dense undergrowth.

Distribution

This bird breeds in the Himalayan foothills, from northern Pakistan across to Nepal, and in the central Indian hills down to the Western Ghats as far south as Karnataka. Come winter, it migrates to various parts of the Indian peninsula and Sri Lanka.

Behaviour

The Indian pitta is a ground-dweller, hopping along the forest floor as it forages for insects among the leaf litter. It is known to roost in trees and may occasionally venture into human settlements when exhausted.

Song & Calls

The Indian pitta's call is a loud, clear whistle, often rendered as "wheeeet-tieu" or "wieet-pyou," and sometimes a triple note "hh-wit-wiyu." It also emits a single-note mewing call. These calls are typically heard at dawn and dusk, earning it the nickname "Six-O-Clock" bird in some regions.

Breeding

Breeding occurs during the monsoon season, with nests being globular structures with a side entrance, constructed on the ground or low branches. The clutch consists of four to five glossy white eggs, speckled with deep maroon or purple.

Similar Species

The Indian pitta forms a superspecies with the fairy pitta, mangrove pitta, and blue-winged pitta, but can be distinguished by its unique coloration and distribution.

Diet and Feeding

Its diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates, which it picks from the ground or leaf litter. It has also been observed scavenging kitchen scraps.

Conservation Status

The Indian pitta is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, with a population considered to be large and stable.