Bright Red Jacket And A Shimmering Blue Necklace Make Blue-Banded Pitta A Royalty Of The Bird World
The blue-banded pitta looks like it was dressed for a royal parade, with bright red plumage, silver-blue markings, and a breast that seems to wear a glittering necklace. It is no surprise that this rare bird is often called the Jewel of Borneo.
Native to Borneo and found in Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia, the blue-banded pitta is striking, but also elusive. It lives in forested habitats, feeds on insects and snails, and builds round nests in trees or shrubs, yet scientists still have plenty to learn about its behavior.
That mix of beauty and mystery makes this bird even more fascinating. Read on.
This bird is also known as the "Jewel of Borneo"
Blue-banded pitta belongs to the Pittidae family
Due to this bird's extensive range, the blue-banded pitta is not considered to be under any immediate threat. It primarily inhabits submontane forests, often with bamboo stands and fallen trees, most commonly at elevations of 600 to 1,200 meters, but recorded from 150 to 1,500 meters.
The breeding season lasts from January to September, with a peak from March to August. The spherical nest is constructed from dead leaves, grass, and fibers, and is placed 0.5 to 2.5 meters above the ground in a tree.
The blue-banded pitta is found in Indonesia, and it is native to the island of Borneo
In general, these birds are very shy, which hinders detailed study. They sometimes exhibit behavior that surprises scientists.
For example, researchers have observed the pittas making noises without calling to communicate, which is unusual for birds.
The scientists also noted the use of sonations, or non-vocal sounds. These sonations resemble a soft knock on wood and appear to be produced using their wings.
In one instance, after the bird called out for a while, it lifted its wings, puffed its feathers on its belly, and then beat its wings like a drum.
That little display makes the bird even harder to forget.
And if you love surprise birds, this yellow cardinal buzz in Alabama is pure social-media shock, rare yellow cardinal sighted in Alabama.
But it can also be found in Brunei and Malaysia
It is a shy bird that primarily inhabits hilly and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests
Blue-banded pitta primarily feeds on insects, snails, and other invertebrates
Pittas lay up to six eggs in large, round-shaped nests
Watch them on video here:
Our selfish side is very disappointed that this bird is so shy and difficult to find in nature, but on the other hand, staying away from humans and their habitats is likely what keeps the population of these birds stable. What a magical world...
Some birds really do know how to keep their distance.
Want more color hiding in plain sight, check out the Malabar giant squirrel whose patchy colors help it avoid detection.
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