Hydrornis soror
A medium-sized, stocky ground-dwelling bird, typically measuring 19-21 cm (7.5-8.3 in) in length and weighing 70-120 g (2.5-4.2 oz). The male is characterized by its brilliant sky-blue rump and lower back, contrasting sharply with a rufous-brown crown, blackish ear coverts, and a buffy throat and breast. Its upperparts are largely olive-green, with darker wings. The female is generally duller, often lacking the intense blue rump, which is replaced by olive-green or duller blue, and her underp...
Inhabits subtropical and tropical moist broadleaf forests, often in dense undergrowth, bamboo thickets, and along stream beds, typically found from lowlands up to 1,500 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide range of invertebrates including beetles, ants, grubs, spiders, earthworms, and snails, occasionally supplementing with small frogs or lizards.
Primarily diurnal and terrestrial, spending most of its time foraging on the forest floor, active early morning and late afternoon, then roosting silently in dense undergrowth or low branches at night. It methodically searches for food by flicking leaf litter and probing soft soil with its sturdy...
The Blue-rumped Pitta is primarily resident across mainland Southeast Asia. Its breeding and year-round range encompasses extensive parts of southern China (Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan), northern and central Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and eastern Thailand. Several subspecies exist, including *H. s. ...
Least Concern
- The Blue-rumped Pitta's scientific name *Hydrornis* translates roughly to "water bird" or "water-dwelling bird," a curious name for a species that prefers forest floors, perhaps referring to their often moist, stream-side habitats. - Despite their vibrant colors, these birds are incredibly shy ...