A typical pitta: plump, short-tailed, long-legged, and primarily terrestrial (sometimes perches up to call). Bright green above with electric blue shoulder patch and rump and black head with conspicuous pale brow. Underside golden-buff with black and bright red on the belly. Juvenile duller, with little blue in wing, an orange-tipped bill, and a pinkish belly. Resident in woodland, forest, scrub, and plantations in the lowlands and hills of the Lesser Sundas, from Lombok east to Alor. Formerly regarded as a subspecies of Elegant Pitta, to which it is very similar; Ornate averages more extensively black on the throat and lower belly, and has a fairly evenly divided rufous-and-white “eyebrow.” Also note Ornate’s whistled two-note call [Ebird]
A special arrangement was made with Ramesh for a relaxing birding trip focused on collecting a few endemic species. As usual, pittas, owls, and woodpeckers were our primary targets. Upon arriving at the airport, we had a ~1.5-hour drive followed by a short walk to the feeding spot. After less than 15 minutes of waiting, the bird showed up beautifully, allowing for this “pre-poo” moment to be captured perfectly.
pitta – a bird normally long leg, short-tailed, hopping around on forest floor for food, shy ….
many of the bird photographers just enjoy this bird very much and spend years, months, days, hours .. stay inside hide just to view, photograph this forest gem ..
*** will keep updating this along with my pitta fever *** so please book here 😀
201. Indian Pitta, 印度八色鸫, 印度藍翅八色鳥, Pitta brachyura, インドヤイロチョウ
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201. Indian Pitta, 印度八色鸫, 印度藍翅八色鳥, Pitta brachyura, インドヤイロチョウ
A colorful stubby-tailed bird, also known as “Navrang,” translated as “nine colors.” Colors are most striking when the bird is in flight. This bird has long, strong legs and a stout bill, a buffy crown with a black stripe in the middle, a black eye-stripe, and and buffy underparts with bright red on the vent. Upperparts are green, with a blue shoulder patch. It is usually seen foraging on forest floors with thick undergrowth, catching insects in leaf litter. This bird is vocal, giving its characteristic two-noted whistle call at dusk and dawn. [Ebird]
update 202404
– it is quite common to see this pitta almost any where in center
– 在斯里兰卡中部，还是蛮普通的。
#####
update 202312
– another common bird here, it is 99.99% bird for almost all local guide. We saw 5-6 birds just birding without looking for it.
– same month again, the bird active late, 3 weeks ago when I am there no bird call or sight. But yesterday, it is so active to gave us everyone very good view. and I only have this angle view after first found it and brought all other guests over to have this bird. last bird of the group..
– Danum Valley still a best place to see this bird, and found this “tame” bird last few hours before we leaving to other destination. But it still give us good look.
– a shy and big bird
– at this situation between tree, branch, the CANON R7 easily lock the bird eye … soon we will forgot whats is “focus points”
– 丹绒谷还是看这鸟最好的地方。在我们离开前2个小时才找到这只蛮乖的。可是它还是让我们看的蛮久的。
– 在这样的情况，树中间，鸟前有阻碍。佳能R7轻松的自己找到鸟眼。我其实就按快门而已。
202208, Sabah, Malaysia
update 2018 Oct 4
update 2018 Aug 24
another good found, birds nearby there for months .. just need patient and luck to see it
– after spent 5 days in lowland forest without ours’ target, decided to spend last day in other kind of forest to have some new tick for customer. Never prepare anything, no worm just go to the “feeding spot” and wait. This bird appear and stand for long for us .. so this consider “feeding” ? (for me yes as without the feeding activities the bird wont be there for us)
– this Pitta would be mist difficult Pitta for myself, exclude the feeding spot picture or sighting. I have only 2 open 1-2s moment to have pictures and total <30s view over the years .. who have non feeding picture ? I know my best buddy and I spent our days and weeks …
– found Borneo, which is black head instead Peninsular Malaysia’s rufous head
update 202404
– another bird which can be very easy at certain period but very difficult even have a look at wrong season. But again it is much easier to have a look at feeding spot. Thanks some effort of the birder for keep the good place allow many other photograph this bird as not everyone has so much time (come at right time) for non feeding …
– another bird that I rarely photograph beside feeding spot… this as usual a bird capture at feeding spot. It is tame as usual come together with another lovely Kingfisher
– 这鸟应该是我拍最少野拍八色鸫。这一只是喂食点的，与之前一样都很乖啊。
202403, Taiping, Perak, Malaysia
#####
update 202302
– a bird that we use to see it every year before covid but getting difficult to have picture since the lockdown. today lucky moment where this bird seem resting and give good time for me
– look alike blue-winged pitta with very similar call
update 202404
– another bird found, quite tame too even not feed
– 另一只红树林八色鸫，没喂食拍到还是很不错的。
202404, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
#####
– this bird have abnormal behavior this year, seem get active quite late…
– I am really giving respect to my buddy, friend, bos .. AhLee … how the hack he found this spot for this bird !!! dont think I can imagine this bird just here !
– a raining morning, I got wet without any rain gear.. but the bird also very wet when it show up. Still very dirty look ahh
– 一大早，下雨。我没带雨衣，雨伞。全身都湿湿的，可是这鸟看来也忘了？
202308, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
####
– few months didn’t visit this pitta, amazing.. it gave us a good show just ~3minutes .. but why so dirty !!!
– 几个月没见这鸟，还是很乖3分钟左右就让我们看够够。可是怎么这么难看！
20230731, Selangor, Malaysia
update 202302
– 3rd birds of the new tour, just wait less than 5 minutes this time. stay for long for us
– 这团的第3只鸟。等了3-5分钟就出来了。还很乖的站好好
202302, Selangor, Malaysia
###
– another lucky guests, we just wait less than 10 minutes for a good view and pictures.
– 非常幸运的客人，只等了10分钟。就把这八色鸫拿下。
202302, Selangor, Malaysia
update 202301
– mangrove forest is one most affect by development for pass few years near center of Peninsular Malaysia. Lost many habitat of this pitta since 2014. Getting real difficult to see it.
Mangrove Pitta, 紅樹八色鶇,Pitta megarhyncha, マングローブヤイロチョウ, Burung Pacat Bakau,
update 2020 Jan 16
a missing or shy “Kuala Lumpur Mangrove Pitta” for almost whole year 2019 birding season … it finally return 2020 hope the small left over Mangrove can be protect for it
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6. Blue-winged pitta, 马来八色鸫, 馬來八色鶇, Pitta moluccensis,ミナミヤイロチョウ, BURUNG-PACAT SAYAP BIRU
– mostly winter visitor Nov-April
– also local breed at Northern Peninsular Malaysia
update 20240103
– 2024 official day1 working, it is faithful start … we arrive the “feeding spot” but without put any “food” the bird just stand there waiting so are we shoot at feeding bird ? … but it is real challenge having long focal length + high megapixel camera … CANON R7 + CANON RF200800. I am shooting ISO6400, F8, 538mm, 1/50
– 在马来西亚雨林，早上真的很不容易拍。高像素+长焦段。佳能R7, RF200800. CANON R7 + CANON RF200800. I am shooting ISO6400, F8, 538mm, 1/50
20240103, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
#####
update 202301
– a winter visitor, look mangrove a like
– really like the R3 video AF it is really track the animal eye non stop even very low light condition
– 马来西亚半岛。12月-4月蛮普通的候鸟。
– 非常喜欢佳能R3视屏对焦。一直对焦动物眼。
#####
– still prefer the old position. this bird simply awesome
– 久的。还是最好。站这非常的美。
update 202301
– same bird, same place after years … it is always a good bird to see and photograph and test new camera.
– 3-4 年了。同一时间，同一点，同一只鸟。可是还是很好看，拍的鸟。可是用来试试新相机，脚架。
202301, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
update 202101
Focal length: 300mm+1.4x tc ISO: 640
F number: 8.0
Shutter Speed: 1/60
4k 16:9, 59.94p, 200 Mbps MOV/H.265 (HEVC) LPCM, 4:2:0 10bit
Zone AutoFocus - can see with the lowlight condition and mess environment the Autofocus will trying to confuse by the nearby moving objects (eg leaf)
update 2020 May 6
Blue-winged pitta ,馬來八色鶇,Pitta moluccensis, ミナミヤイロチョウ, Burung Pacat Sayap Biru
update 2020 Jan 17
7. Garnet Pitta, 榴红八色鸫, 榴紅八色鶇, Erythropitta granatina, ムラサキヤイロチョウ,BURUNG-PACAT DELIMA BIASA
– Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak lowland pitta
– call very similar to Blue-Banded Pitta, Malaysian Rail-Babbler
update 202403
– this year is good for this Garnet Pitta, my 3rd times seeing this bird (2 times in Taman Negara – Kuala Tahan and now at Merapoh) seem getting better ? easier and more heard ? this feeding station are seem not active lucky to heard it than got it
– one of the star birds of Peninsula Malaysia and it was there for years … just wish no much disturbance because of any reason. And it is no one spot it is a national park for years .. just enjoy the nature and birding
– a wet day, bird seem busy looking for ground food. such a dirty bird
– always a lovely bird to be seen and photograph
– 几天都是下雨天，这鸟特别肮脏。
– 一只看几次都不闷的鸟。
202209, Taman Negara Sg Relau, Kelanatan, Malaysia
update 202105
– this picture capture before the famous birding spot been “build” “Tiger cage”
– forest pitta, overall red-blue-black
– 马来西亚森林的宝石。很美丽的八色鸫。
201504, Pahang, Malaysia
update 2020 May
Garnet Pitta , 榴紅八色鶇,Erythropitta granatina,ムラサキヤイロチョウ, BURUNG-PACAT DELIMA BIASA
update 2020 May
Garnet Pitta , 榴紅八色鶇，Erythropitta granatina,ムラサキヤイロチョウ, BURUNG-PACAT DELIMA BIASA
update 2019 Dec
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update 2015 Jun 14
Angry Garnet
8. Malayan Banded-Pitta, 马来蓝尾八色鸫, 馬來藍尾八色鶇, Hydrornis irena，マラヤシマヤイロチョウ, BURUNG-PACAT BELANG MELAYU
– Peninsular Malaysia – South Thailand very beautiful “Yellowish” pitta
– a very beautiful forest bird
– male bird with blue on belly 馬來西亞最漂亮的八色鶇之一。
公鳥肚有藍。母鳥全黃黑班。
update 202303
– one of the most beautiful pitta of Malaysia. It is not easy bird to be seen without feeding. But feeding can create problem for the bird ? YES and NO ?
– a revisit a same place after 10 years +, the bird still same spot but now handling and feed by local Photographer Subki & Ambo. Make chance to have picture of this beauty of Borneo much easier compare those day… It is quite challenge too, you need patient to sit and wait ….
– a special tour to Sabah for this beautiful Borneo endemic Pitta, it took us long wait even we managed to get other birds while waiting but it just too long and tired waiting but than when the Pitta show everyone just a big relief. A beautiful Pitta ..
10. Black-crowned Pitta, 黑头八色鸫, 黑頭八色鶇, Erythropitta ussheri, クロアカヤイロチョウ,BURUNG-PACAT DELIMA SABAH
– very special Borneo endemic, which limited only to East-North Borneo (Sabah)
– behavior, environment, call same Garnet Pitta (red-crown)
update 202306
– another good moment while we just had short wait at “feeding spot”. The bird came in pair looking left-right-up-down
– beautiful Borneo endemic Pitta which is most common among all other
– 当我们到达‘喂食点“时，等了几分钟。鸟就出来了。2只鸟跳上跳上，好可爱。
– 婆罗洲特有种之一。与其他几种特有种八色鸫，最普通的一种。
202306, Sabah, Malaysia
update 202301
– 2022 is not a pitta year for me. Didn’t have special Pitta tour, and too busy for own photography for Pitta. But this is definitely Pitta I shoot most of 2022. last session of 2022, very dark, handheld, with R7 and RF100500.
– for year 2022, I really feel there are few good options for birder or Bird guide photography setup. for good weight, size, AF and Image quality.
– look at the image quality for this very lowlight condition picture.
– a special Borneo endemic which only for North-East
– many of them singing in the forest, and only this bird show it’s face
– 非常特别的婆罗洲特有种，只限于婆罗洲东北部
– 几乎那都听到这鸟叫，可是就这一只给我们看看。
202205, RDC, Sabah, Malaysia
update 202106
– too many pictures of this beauty. and here is one of the video how’s this bird making call which same to Garnet Pitta and similar to Rail-babber, Blue-banded Pitta
– it is Garnet Pitta alike except the crown is full black instead of red
– very special Borneo endemic which is only limited to East-North Borneo island which is Sabah
– 马来西亚算是我见最多的八色鸫。
– 与榴红八色鸫几乎一样。生活环境，叫声，活动方式等。
– 婆罗洲蛮特别的特有种。这只是在东北部（沙巴）
201706, RDC, Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia
#
update 202101
- a special Borneo endemic which limited to only North-East (Sabah)
- call, behavior same as Garnet Pitta - one of the Pitta I photograph most
#
update 2020 May 9
Black-headed pitta, 黑頭八色鶇, Erythropitta ussheri, クロアカヤイロチョウ,BURUNG-PACAT DELIMA SABAH
11. Blue-headed Pitta, 蓝头八色鸫, 藍頭八色鶇, Hydrornis baudii, ズアオヤイロチョウ, Burung Pacat Kepala Biru
– another Borneo lowland endemic
– male have blue-head, red-back, purple-blue chest-bellied. female overall with blue-tailed.
– 婆罗洲特有种。
– 公鸟-蓝头，尾。红背。胸腹是紫蓝。母鸟都是棕色，蓝尾
update 202409
– another bird always to look for when we are at Borneo. This month, we saw it few times at Danum Valley and Tabin. Amazing colors on this particular bird.
– it is always good reason to visit Danum Valley for this wonderful Pitta, this bird can be either very challenge or very easy to see especially the right time and place. (plan for right time, the bird can be like this one just give up show infront of 10 of us and stay for photo)
– when the time come, right season make this so much easier ..compare to last few months. The bird just come and check and I am just ~10 feet from him. I think this is one of the Pitta I really enjoy to see its’ behavior than waiting for hours in spot … so much fun to see ~5 birds just 2 km in the trail .. 3 of them gave me good chance to have photographs
– it is not a new site for this feeding station, 12-13 years ago I got my Blue-headed Pitta similar site and it is not feeding .. the bird just there and it was very fun trip with few good buddies .. Andy Pau, Jasnnie, Ah Lee, Shunfa .. this time we went for feed !!! but the bird came while we arrive and came infornt of me ~4-5feet away without food or hide !!! But after wait for 3 hours .. it came with a chick few times but not the male .. it is a tough time spent with almost 8 hours for Blue-Banded and 3 hours for no male … but this female really beautiful and I think I never got any good picture of female of this bird
– working on some old hdd transfer to new backup-working hardiscs . This is one of the most amazing moment I meet this bird so far, it keep chasing us from ~100m away
– 在搬硬碟，这是6年前的非常兴奋的一刻。这鸟一直跟着我们。
201708, Danum Valley, Sabah
update 202309
– it is so tame, 9 people standing 10feet from it.. it still coming back same area just slow and display a bit for picture … so amazing to see this behaviors again
– previously under the same species of Banded Pitta which now split to 3 different species. Malayan Banded Pitta, Borneo Banded Pitta, and Javan Banded Pitta. all of them with slightly different looks especially male. But all with the same call, behavior.
– 之前与其他两种马来亚，与婆罗洲归为同种。叫声一样。
– 爪哇特有种
update 202105
– male bird with a blue neck, head yellow instead of rufuos
– 公鸟。颈部有蓝边，头部是黄不是棕色。
201605, Bali, Indonesia
53. North Moluccan Pitta, 北摩鹿加八色鸫, 北摩鹿加八色鳥, Erythropitta rufiventri
– another “Red-bellied” pitta, and it classified as North Moluccan Pitta which is endemic of Halmahera.
– it is very near to Ivory-Breasted Pitta spot
– 另一只“红胸八色鸫”分出来的摩鹿加特有种。
#####
update 202310
– the Bird making call on tree and stand there for so long ..
– 这鸟一直在树上叫。叫了好几个小时。
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update 202310
– another “different look” North Moluccan which photograph at feeding station at Ternate Island
– a not very easy walk as keep going steep downward sloop
– 另一只北摩鹿加八色鸫，在不一样的岛拍的。样子有点不一样。这个喂食点，也不是太容易。。。一直往下走。
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202304, Center Halmahera, Indonesia
#
54. Ivory-breasted Pitta, 白胸八色鸫, 牙白胸八色鳥, Pitta maxima
A distinctive large, plump, short-tailed, long-legged forest bird with a black upperside and white underside, a striking red area on the lower belly, and a conspicuous silvery-blue shoulder patch. Juvenile duller, with buff on underparts. Shy, more often heard than seen. Usually found singly or in pairs in humid lowland and hill forest. Forages on the ground, but while calling often perches high in the understory or canopy. Very vocal; frequently given song is a mournful wolf whistle. [Ebird]
– 非常大的八色鸫。背部全黑。前部白+红。很特别。在这岛上，几乎那都听到这鸟的叫声。
update 202310
– arrived Halmahera, before anything go for this main target … due to long travel everyone seem tired but luckily the bird appear not that long compare to other waiting 😀 and it is huge in size, some with 800mm little bit suffer to take whole bird into frame
– post this before I get busy months again. This is one of the most amazing experience on this trip. When day 1 arrived with heavy rain, after rain stop we did quick birding surrounding our homestay. when we walk near the river, owner say why not we go for quick try on the Pitta and keep mentioned “if the bird is nearby or little bit distance he can do pick-up service” !! (I am thinking pick-up service hmmm). But the bird came without long wait or any issue. (so we missed the pick-up service show)
– next day after Standardwing BOP, we walk back to homestay and pass by the Pitta spot. We would like to try for this pitta again for male. After long wait (~15minutes) , he say the bird is far lets’ him pick-up the pitta .. I was like hmm how ? But he walk into the bush and use whistler/call. After ~10minutes wait, we heard the bird call getting nearer and soon we saw him walking out from the bush. and you can see the Pitta is following him coming out from the bush (may be ~10-15m away) !!!!!! “pick up service”
a very similar to Borneo Black-headed Pitta and Garnet pitta call and similar look. But it is an endemic to Sumatra island
– 与婆罗洲的黑头八色鸫，西马的榴红八色鸫非常像。叫声也很像。
update 202411
– this year seem not much luck on this bird, not that many sighting compare to last year and each sight very short time for picture opportunity. Luckily that still managed to have few click before it disappear.
– while we looking for the Ground-cuckoo, that area actually plenty of this Pitta. We saw one just 3-5feet from us stand there and cannot take any picture and this bird same just came to us and look at us .. beautiful moment even not a good picture compare to previous feeding station picture but it is a different satisfaction to find one wild..
– saw this bird yesterday while waiting ours target, the bird stand 5 feed at us looking at us and definitely not able to focus to have a picture. Today, go to the “easy side” but 2 landslides happen car cannot drive through, we birding and walk ~8km to reach. While we cooking coffee, the bird calling and came…
another “green pitta” almost can heard any where of “east Sumba” almost like other Pitta, so difficult to spot one even can heard many places
– 另一只绿色八色鸫，在东部几乎那都听到。可是与其他八色鸫一样都是听多过看。
#####
update 202401
– one of the main target, but know it is “feeding spot” it make we not worry of this bird to be photograph. after first night failed of owling, everyone seem tired next day and choose to go the “station”. When we arrive just after <30minute drive from ours hotel and walk less than 5 minutes, the local who manage the “hide” say bird already seen so immediate everyone getting ready the “big lens and camera”. without long wait we have very good view and picture but very quick one than stay near bush for quite some time before 2nd appearance and after 2nd round it stay nearby and I got this picture which I think I prefer this instead perfect view 😀
Large-headed and long-legged, this rare and rotund Sumatran endemic is found only in foothill forests between 900 to 2400 meters (typically in the upper half), where it is most easily detected by its strange song, a spaceship-like “oowOOOOwooWOOH.” Male has a sky-blue back and incomplete black collar, while the female has a dull brownish back and a dull blue tail. [EBird]
update 202411
– One of our main targets for this trip, but it didn’t show up at the “feeding spot.” After waiting at two locations, it suddenly appeared not far away. Everyone quickly grabbed their gear, and although it remained tame, it never came to the feeding spot. Still, we were thrilled to see the female, especially since we missed it last year—though this year, we missed the male!
A typical pitta: plump, short-tailed, long-legged, and primarily terrestrial (sometimes perches up to call). Bright green above with electric blue shoulder patch and rump and black head with conspicuous pale brow. Underside golden-buff with black and bright red on the belly. Juvenile duller, with little blue in wing, an orange-tipped bill, and a pinkish belly. Resident in woodland, forest, scrub, and plantations in the lowlands and hills of the Lesser Sundas, from Lombok east to Alor. Formerly regarded as a subspecies of Elegant Pitta, to which it is very similar; Ornate averages more extensively black on the throat and lower belly, and has a fairly evenly divided rufous-and-white “eyebrow.” Also note Ornate’s whistled two-note call [Ebird]
A special arrangement was made with Ramesh for a relaxing birding trip focused on collecting a few endemic species. As usual, pittas, owls, and woodpeckers were our primary targets. Upon arriving at the airport, we had a ~1.5-hour drive followed by a short walk to the feeding spot. After less than 15 minutes of waiting, the bird showed up beautifully, allowing for this “pre-poo” moment to be captured perfectly.
101. Blue Pitta, 蓝八色鸫, 藍八色鶇, Hydrornis cyaneus, ルリヤイロチョウ
Only the male of this rotund ground-dweller is truly blue; the female only has a hint of blue on the rump and tail. Male is brilliant and eye-catching if seen well: sky-blue on the back with a polka-dotted light blue breast and belly. Female has gray-brown wings and finely barred white underparts. Both sexes boast a pale face and a thin black eyebrow, above which flames a lava-red crown (darker in males than in females) (Ebird)
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. (EBird)
Blue pitta, 藍八色鶇,Hydrornis cyaneus
