Fairy Pitta
Pitta nympha
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Fairy Pitta is a strikingly colourful bird with a green back, blue wings, and a chestnut-brown crown. Its underparts are buff, with a distinctive red lower belly and undertail coverts.
The throat and cheeks are white, and it has a dark black mask extending across the face, with a white stripe above. The tail is short and dark green, with a cobalt-blue tip.
Both sexes have similar plumage, making them difficult to distinguish in the field. Juveniles resemble adults but have duller colours and less defined markings.
Size
Length
16cm to 19cm
Wingspan
30cm to 35cm
Weight
40g to 60g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Green Blue Brown
Secondary Colour
Black White Buff
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Pink
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Fairy Pittas inhabit dense, moist, broadleaf forests and mature secondary woodlands. They breed in parts of eastern Asia, including Japan, South Korea, and eastern China. During winter, they migrate to Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
These birds prefer areas with a thick understory and abundant leaf litter for foraging. They are rarely found in open habitats or heavily disturbed forests.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,500 meters
Climate zones
Subtropical, Temperate
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Fairy Pitta. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Exceptional agility demonstrated through quick hopping and running on forest floors, ability to catch insects mid-air, and navigate dense undergrowth with precision. Their small size and adaptations for ground movement make them particularly nimble.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst not particularly powerful overall, they possess notably strong legs for their size and robust bills capable of probing and turning over leaf litter. Their ability to construct bulky nests and manage long-distance migration also indicates decent strength for their size class.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Shows strong adaptability through successful navigation of both breeding and wintering grounds across different climates, ability to thrive in various forest types, and diverse foraging techniques. However, their specific habitat requirements and vulnerability to disturbance somewhat limit this score.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Relatively modest aggression levels, mainly exhibited during breeding season through territorial displays and defence. Their generally secretive and elusive nature suggests they prefer avoidance over confrontation, though males become more assertive during breeding season.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Impressive endurance evidenced by their long-distance migration capabilities of up to 2,500 kilometres between seasonal grounds. Their active foraging behaviour and ability to maintain territories in challenging forest environments further demonstrates strong stamina.
Diet
Fairy Pittas primarily feed on insects and other small invertebrates. They forage on the forest floor, using their strong bills to turn over leaves and dig in soft soil. Their diet includes earthworms, beetles, ants, and occasionally small lizards or frogs.
Behaviour
Fairy Pittas are secretive and elusive, spending much of their time on the forest floor. They hop and run quickly when foraging, using their strong bills to probe leaf litter for insects.
During the breeding season, males become more vocal and may engage in territorial displays, fanning their tails and wings.
Vocalisation
The Fairy Pitta's call is a clear, whistled 'qwee-qwee-qwee' or 'kweek-kweek-kweek', often repeated in series.
During the breeding season, males produce a more elaborate song, a melodious series of whistles and trills that can last for several seconds.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from May to July. Fairy Pittas form monogamous pairs and engage in courtship displays that include wing-flicking and tail-fanning. Males often sing from exposed perches to attract mates and defend territories.
Nests are bulky, dome-shaped structures made of twigs, leaves, and moss, typically placed low in trees or shrubs. Females lay 4-6 glossy white eggs with dark speckles.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 14-15 days. Chicks fledge after approximately 14 days but remain dependent on their parents for several weeks after that.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
The Fairy Pitta is classified as Vulnerable due to ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation. Deforestation in both breeding and wintering grounds poses a significant threat.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting remaining forest habitats and raising awareness about the species' plight.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their distinctive 'qwee-qwee-qwee' call in dense forests
- Look for movement on the forest floor, especially in areas with thick leaf litter
- Visit known breeding sites during early morning or late afternoon
- Be patient and quiet, as these birds are shy and easily startled
Additional Information
Predators
Main predators include snakes, small mammals such as martens, and birds of prey. Nest predation by corvids and rodents is also a significant threat.
Did You Know?
- Fairy Pittas can catch flying insects mid-air despite spending most of their time on the ground.
- They have exceptionally strong legs, allowing them to hop and run quickly through dense undergrowth.
- Some individuals can migrate over 2,500 kilometres between breeding and wintering grounds, meaning yearly migration distances can reach over 5,000 kilometres.
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2017. Pitta nympha (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22698684A116880779.
View source - 3 4
report, 2014: Kuan-Chieh Hung in litt.
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