Malayan Banded-Pitta
Hydrornis irena
Broad red-orange eyestripe glows like lava on this shy, jewel-like bird. Male has deep blue underparts with thin tiger-like barring on the sides of the chest. Female is pale below with fine dark barring. Forages quietly on the floor of dense lowland forests. Most common calls are a quiet roar and a short, descending “pr-r-r-r-r”.
Identification
This colourful bird has a black head with a yellow/orange streak above the eye, an orange-red nape, a lemon-yellow throat, a chest barred with orange and dark blue (more orange towards the sides and more blue towards the centre), and a blue belly. The back is brown and the tail is blue.
Taxonomy
At one time the Malayan banded pitta, the Bornean banded pitta, and the Javan banded pitta were all considered to be variants of a single species. However, they were divided into three separate species by Rheindt and Eaton in 2010, based on analysis of morphological, behavioural, and vocal differences.
- Scientific name
- Hydrornis irena
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1836)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pittidae
- Genus
- Hydrornis
Range and habitat
The Malayan banded pitta is native to tropical south-eastern Asia where its range includes Malaysia, Thailand and Sumatra. It typically inhabits primary lowland evergreen forests, including swamp forests, but can occur at altitudes of up to 1,500 m (5,000 ft). It also occurs in secondary forest, but may not persist well in this environment. Its diet is mainly insects and fruits.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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