Pitta reichenowi
The Green-breasted Pitta, *Pitta reichenowi*, is a stunningly vibrant, medium-sized passerine, typically measuring around 19 cm in length. It is instantly recognizable by its dazzling plumage, featuring a brilliant green breast that gives the species its name, sharply contrasting with a glossy black head adorned with a prominent azure-blue supercilium extending to the nape. Its underparts transition to a striking scarlet on the belly, with a black lower belly and vent, while the back and wing...
This species exclusively inhabits dense lowland evergreen and semi-deciduous tropical and subtropical forests, often preferring areas with deep leaf litter, near streams, or in damp ravines. It is typically found at elevations ranging from near sea level up to approximately 1,400 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of invertebrates such as beetles, ants, termites, snails, earthworms, and other small arthropods. It forages by gleaning and probing through leaf litter on the forest floor.
The Green-breasted Pitta is a highly secretive, diurnal bird, often active during crepuscular hours, moving stealthily through the forest undergrowth. It forages exclusively on the forest floor, hopping along and meticulously flipping leaves and probing the damp soil with its robust bill to expos...
The Green-breasted Pitta is a resident species distributed across a fragmented range in equatorial Africa. Its primary strongholds include central and western Uganda and western Kenya, extending westward through eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. More isolated populations occur further west in...
Least Concern
- Despite its dazzling plumage, the Green-breasted Pitta is notoriously difficult to spot, often only detected by its distinctive whistle. - It is one of only three pitta species found in mainland Africa, the others being the African Pitta and the Angola Pitta. - The species' vibrant green breast...