Indian Pitta

The 20 cm Indian Pitta is a small and dumpy bird which occurs in many parts of the country. Its brilliant colours light up the dark and wet forest understory in which it leads a shy existence.

A resident species, this Pitta breeds in the north and winters down south and can occur almost anywhere on migration.

Pittas are passerine birds of the family, Pittidae which occur mainly in tropical Asia and Australasia. The name Pitta is derived from the Telegu word 'pitta' which means a small bird.