Difficult to Spot: Even for avid birdwatchers, finding a Blue-banded Pitta is a unique and uncommon sighting

Its vivid plumage and distinctive look make the Blue-banded Pitta (Pitta arquata) stand out. Three paragraphs regarding this species:

Their bright plumage makes the Blue-banded Pitta stand out. The bird gets its name from its vivid red head and chest feathers and deep blue chest band. The belly and flanks are warm brownish-yellow, while the back and wings are lush green. The bird’s hue blends into its tropical forest home yet makes it visible up close. 

The Blue-banded Pitta lives in tropical and subtropical Southeast Asian woods, especially in Malaysia, Borneo, and Sumatra. They live in lowland to mid-elevation forests with dense, damp undergrowth for cover and food. These birds flourish in thick leaf litter where they may forage and hide from predators.

This shy, elusive species hides in deep vegetation, making it hard to spot in the wild. The Blue-banded Pitta hunts insects, worms, and tiny invertebrates on the forest floor. They breed during the rainy season, when food is plentiful. They lay 2–4 eggs in dense underbrush nests on the ground.