Philippine Pitta

Erythropitta erythrogaster

A plump, short-tailed, long-legged terrestrial bird with a red belly, a black throat, a blue chest band, and a ruddy-colored head. Juvenile is dull brown with blue in rump and tail and a horn-colored bill with a pale tip and base. Singles or pairs inhabit forest, degraded patches, and bamboo thickets in lowlands and hills. Differs from Whiskered Pitta in smaller size, black throat, lack of a pale whisker, and more extensive ruddy head coloration. Song is a two-part quivering whistle, the first part rising, the second mournfully descending: “waaaaaaopop-aaaaawwwwwow.” Also gives a piercing “whit” alarm call.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Erythropitta erythrogaster
Authority
(Temminck, 1823)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Pittidae
Genus
Erythropitta

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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Philippine Pitta | BirdLens