Graceful pitta

The graceful pitta (Erythropitta venusta), sometimes alternatively known as the black-crowned pitta (although this term is more regularly applied to E. ussheri), is a species of bird in the family Pittidae. It occurs in Sumatra in Indonesia, where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Not to be confused with Erythropitta ussheri, more regularly known as the black-crowned pitta.

Graceful pitta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pittidae
Genus: Erythropitta
Species:
E. venusta
Binomial name
Erythropitta venusta
(Müller, S, 1836)
Synonyms
  • Pitta venusta

Appearance

The Graceful Pitta is a petite bird that measures approximately 18 cm in length. Its black coloring is enhanced with reddish undertones, and the bottom of its wings have vivid blue stripes running down them. The lower breast and abdomen are a dull crimson.  The upper chest is dark brown with a purple hue. The legs can appear to be either a purple-blue or a pale blue, and its iris is a dark brown color. The beak of the bird is black. The bird also has an extended tail which has reddish-black hues as well. There is no difference in the appearance of the males and females.[2]

Juvenile

Juveniles have an all dark brown exterior with less color variation throughout the body. They also have pinkish-grey feet, a red tipped bill, and grayish colored irises.[2]

Habitat

The Graceful Pitta is a native of the Indonesian Sumatra's highlands.[3] The Sumatra highlands consist of thick tropical forest with various species of plants, animals, and insects. The Graceful Pitta enjoys this region because it tends to inhabit dense, moist woods with a thick understory of plants. But the habitat of the Graceful Pitta is currently facing an alarming decrease due to deforestation. Deforestation has increased in Indonesia due to the demand for palm oil with Indonesia being the largest producer of it.[4]

Movement

The Graceful pitta flies close to the ground. Primarily in residential levels through the trees.[2]

Call

The Graceful Pita’s call can be described as a high pitched train whistle. It stays at a consistent pitch.[5]

Status

The Graceful Pitta is super rare and is at risk and vulnerable.[3] Although the Graceful Pitta has been legally protected from hunting since 1931, they still have a primary threat of deforestation to its habitat in Indonesia.[2] This causes their population to steadily decrease as more areas become less occupant/available.

Breeding

Only one nesting has been recorded for Graceful Pittas which took place in May. But according to research, breeding can take place from May to July, and possibly as early as from February to October. The birds construct their nests that typically are placed around 60 cm above the ground, using materials such as dead leaves, bamboo leaves, fine roots, degraded fibers, and moss. The graceful pitta typically can produce two to three eggs every breeding cycle. Each of the eggs has a distinctive look with a dull white tone and dark brown and gray lilac spots.[2]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Erythropitta venusta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22698667A93696083. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22698667A93696083.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. Erritzoe, Johannes (2020). "Graceful Pitta (Erythropitta venusta), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.blcpit1.01species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN 2771-3105.
  3. "Graceful Pitta".
  4. "Indonesian Forests & Palm Oil - Greenpeace USA". 2019-10-10. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  5. "Graceful Pitta - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2023-10-19.


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