Mangrove Pitta
Pitta megarhyncha
The huge crab-smashing bill of this mangrove specialist sets it apart from all other pittas. Brightly colored with a black mask, green-and-black wings, and a yellow belly. Similar in color to Blue-winged Pitta, but note Mangrove’s larger-headed appearance and habitat. Like other pittas, shy and difficult to see; listen for its throaty and fluid two-parted whistles.
Identification
Measuring 180 to 210 mm (7.1–8.3 in) in length, the mangrove pitta has a black head with a buff-coloured crown, white chin and buff underparts. The shoulders and mantle are greenish and the vent is reddish. Juveniles have similar patterned plumage but are duller. It resembles the blue-winged pitta but can be distinguished by its much heavier bill. Its call, transcribed as wieuw-wieuw has been noted to be "more slurred" than the blue-winged pitta.
Taxonomy
The mangrove pitta was first described by German ornithologist Hermann Schlegel in 1863. Its species name is derived from the Ancient Greek words mega- "large", and rhynchos "beak". It forms a superspecies with the Indian pitta (P. brachyura), fairy pitta (P. nympha) and blue-winged pitta (P. moluccensis). Alternate common names include: Larger blue-winged/Malay pitta, Brève des palétuviers (in French), Große Blauflügelpitta (in German), and Pita de Manglar (in Spanish). There are no recognized subspecies.
- Scientific name
- Pitta megarhyncha
- Authority
- Schlegel, 1863
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pittidae
- Genus
- Pitta
Range and habitat
The mangrove pitta is native to the countries of: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand (primarily the west coast of the southern Thai peninsula). Its natural habitat is specialised and restriction to subtropical or tropical mangrove forests and Nipa palm stands. It is threatened by habitat loss. Its diet consists of crustaceans, mollusks and terrestrial insects.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
While all pittas are noted for being difficult to study and spot in the wild, the mangrove pitta is one of the easier ones to spot as it sits high up in mangrove trees and calls. A tape recording of its call will often bring it forth. It tends to be vocal while brooding but quiet at other times.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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