Erythropitta rubrinucha
The South Moluccan Pitta, *Erythropitta rubrinucha*, is a stunning, medium-sized songbird renowned for its vibrant and secretive nature. Measuring approximately 16-18 cm (6-7 inches) in length, this species boasts a striking plumage pattern. Its most distinctive feature, lending to its scientific name, is a bright red nape or hindneck, contrasting sharply with its otherwise black head. The upperparts are a rich, iridescent dark greenish-blue to purplish-blue, often accented with a brilliant b...
Inhabits primary and mature secondary humid tropical forests, particularly in lowland and hill areas, generally found at elevations below 1,000 meters. It can occasionally be found in degraded or logged forest patches if suitable undergrowth remains.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming a variety of invertebrates such as beetles, ants, grubs, worms, and snails, which it finds by sifting through leaf litter and probing soft earth.
The South Moluccan Pitta is a notoriously shy and terrestrial species, spending most of its diurnal activity foraging silently on the forest floor. It employs a distinctive foraging strategy, hopping deliberately while flipping over leaf litter and probing the soil with its strong bill to unearth...
The South Moluccan Pitta is an insular endemic, found exclusively on the island of Buru, one of the larger islands within the South Moluccas (Maluku Islands) of Indonesia. Its distribution spans across the forested regions of Buru, from its lowland plains up to elevations of approximately 1,000 m...
Near Threatened
- The scientific name *rubrinucha* is Latin for 'red nape,' a perfect description of one of this pitta's most striking features. - Despite its dazzling, jewel-toned plumage, the South Moluccan Pitta is incredibly secretive and notoriously difficult to observe in its dense forest habitat. - Like m...