Pitta birds (Pittidae pittas) belong to the family of pittidae. They are always referred to, when in groups, as pittas and are small-sized songbirds often are found in the tropical rainforests and woodlands of Asia, Africa, Australia, and other surrounding islands. These birds have really small bodies with comparatively long legs and small curved beaks. There are around 40 to 42 different species of pitta birds that can be distinguished from one another based on specific differences and colors. Some of the famous mutations are the hooded pitta (Pitta sordida), fairy pitta (Pitta nympha), blue winged pitta (Pitta moluccensis), Javan banded pitta (Hydrornis guajana), rainbow pitta (Pitta iris), Gurney’s pitta (Hydrornis gurneyi), green breasted pitta (Pitta reichenowi), azure breasted pitta (Pitta steerii), mangrove pitta (Pitta megarhyncha), black faced pitta (Pitta anerythra), ivory breasted pitta (Pitta maxima), elegant pitta (Pitta elegans), superb pitta (Pitta superba) and several others.
Birds in the pitta family can be easily identified as they have really long legs in comparison to their small bodies, which are almost twice the size of other songbirds.
Asian pitta birds are brightly colored small-sized birds that have stout-shaped bodies with long lower leg bones. They also have large temporal fossae, unlike other perching birds. Indian pitta birds (Pitta brachyura) have really bright and colorful plumage with a short tail that has twelve feathers. They have a white throat and green upperparts. All the different species of pitta birds are known to have different colors with really long legs and a small curved beak.
Pittas are known to have almost no interaction with humans, but this species of birds are really colorful and have not shown any sign of aggression towards humans. They are really small sized birds that are very cute and shy in nature which makes it even more difficult to study them.
African pitta birds (Pitta angolensis) are solitary creatures that like to reside individually. They are only known to interact or communicate with one another while mating, for which they perform a variety of dances and feather arrangements as part of their mating rituals.
African pitta birds are known to migrate to different places, and are believed to have an average speed of 10-20 mph (16-32 kmph).
Pitta birds have an average weight of 0.09-0.4 lb (1.5-7.5 oz), but they can weight more based on the different species.
Like many other members of the animal kingdom, the male and female species of pitta birds have no specific names. They are regarded as male pitta bird and female pitta bird.
Baby pitta birds are called hatchlings.
All different species of pittas are known to have food habits based on their habitat or surroundings. But they are also known to consume the same types of food, including small invertebrates such as beetles, termites, spiders, ants, grubs, earthworms and many other creatures that can be found around them.
Adult pittas are also known to prey on small-sized vertebrates, including small snakes, frogs, and lizards. Some African pitta birds also find their food in the leaf litter that is found on the forest floor.
Pitta birds are not generally aggressive towards other species of birds, but they are examined to be much more aggressive and violent during the mating season.
African pittas are known to dance and bounce on dead logs to attract their mate. The most common form of pitta birds that can be easily seen are mangrove pittas. They live in mangrove forests, hence their name. Fairy pittas have been named this due to their striking seven-colored feathers. Indian pitta birds (Pitta brachyura) are known for their globe-shaped nest-building skills.
Pitta birds are really colorful and different species are known to have their own identifying features. Pitta birds can easily be identified as they have long, thin legs which are twice the size of other songbirds legs. They have really long legs in comparison to their body, and this is one of the most unique features of them. However, no accurate measurement can be given.
Fairy pitta birds have decreased in population over the years due to a variety of factors such as deforestation, hunting, habitat destruction and illegal exotic pet trade.
