African pitta

African pitta
P. a. longipennis in Zimbabwe
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pittidae
Genus: Pitta
Species:
P. angolensis
Binomial name
Pitta angolensis
Vieillot, 1816
Range
  Resident (western races only)
  Overwintering visitor
  Passage migrant
  Breeding visitor
Breeding birds in central Mozambique

The African pitta (Pitta angolensis) is an Afrotropical bird of the family Pittidae. It is a locally common[2] to uncommon species, resident and migratory in the west, and an intra-African migrant between equatorial and southeastern Africa.[3] They are elusive and hard to observe despite their brightly coloured plumage,[4] and their loud, explosive calls are infrequently heard. The plump, somewhat thrush-like birds[5] forage on leaf litter under the canopy of riparian or coastal forest and thickets,[6] or in climax miombo forest. They spend much time during mornings and at dusk scratching in leaf litter or around termitaria,[7] or may stand motionless for long periods.[8] Following rains[9] breeding birds call and display from the mid-canopy.[8]

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Pitta angolensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22698671A93696398. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22698671A93696398.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ Lambert, F.; Woodcock, M. (1996). Pittas, broadbills and asities. Robertsbridge, U.K.: Pica Press. ISBN 1873403240.
  3. ^ Britton, P. L., ed. (1980). Birds of East Africa: their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: East Africa Natural History Society. pp. 112.
  4. ^ Tree, A. J. Angola Pitta (PDF). South African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP).
  5. ^ Zimmerman, Dale A.; et al. (1999). Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Princeton University Press. p. 495. ISBN 0691010226.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference tba was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ McLachlan, G. R.; Liversidge, R. (1965). Roberts birds of South Africa (5th impression, revised ed.). Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. p. 246. ISBN 0620005750.
  8. ^ a b Terry Stevenson; John Fanshawe (2004). Birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi. Helm Field Guides. p. 278. ISBN 0713673478.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference mps was invoked but never defined (see the help page).