Fauna
Bird

Indian Pitta

Pitta brachyura

Also known as Navrang, Nine-colored Bird, Blue-winged Pitta of India

Indian pittas spend their days hopping through damp leaf litter, flicking away debris with stout bills in search of soil-dwelling invertebrates. Despite a dazzling plumage of green, blue, buff, and crimson, they blend seamlessly into the dappled shadows of the forest floor and are far more easily located by their loud, two-note whistling calls ringing out at dawn and dusk. With the onset of the monsoon, these secretive ground-dwellers undertake extensive nocturnal migrations across the subcontinent, frequently pausing to rest in suburban gardens and city parks.

MigratoryColorfulSecretive
Indian Pitta reference1 / 7
(c) Subhadra Devi, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyEarthworms, Beetles, Snails
Predators
  • Crested goshawk
  • Feral cat
  • Rat snake
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, nocturnal building collisions during migration, and domestic predators
HabitatsDense evergreen forests, deciduous woodlands, scrub jungle, and shaded gardens
Life span5–8 years
Classification
  1. FamilyPittidae
  2. SpeciesPitta brachyura
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless and shy; safe to observe from a respectful distance.
Responsible observation
  • Listen at Twilight: Focus your search during dawn or dusk when birds call repeatedly from low perches.
  • Scan Leaf Litter: Look for sudden movements and flicking leaves beneath dense shaded thickets.
  • Keep Low: Crouch quietly near known feeding territories to avoid scaring birds into deep cover.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…