“With a worldwide of 32 Pitta spp., the Blue-winged Pitta (Pitta Moluccensis) is well represented as one amongst the 14 species that dwell or visit the SE Asian countries – and Peninsular Malaysia is one of them.
“Being lowland birds, they are mainly seen not above 800m a.s.l. While their habitat varies, a leave-littered, undulating forest floor is a common and favourite denominator (below left).
“Here are several habitat examples encountered where these ground dwellers had been heard and/or seen.
“Abandoned plantation of mixed palms and ground vegetation in gloomy and damped areas with scattered and decayed foliages (above right, below).
“The edge of secondary growth forests (left).
“In village fruit plantations and at burnt compost heaps (below: left and center).
“At bamboo groves- a favourite haunt for sourcing nesting materials (below: right; bottom: left).
“In secondary forests of mixed deciduous trees where these birds take refuge in (bottom: center).
“In backyards of village property (bottom: right).
“This year-2013 has been an eventful year with Blue-winged Pittas. There had been more opportunities in observing and getting to know a bit more about their secretive ways to document and showcase them in the wild and to share with readers.
“Let’s visit one of their sites to observe a dramatic foraging behaviour in Part 3 of my odyssey with Blue-winged Pittas.”
Avian Writer Daisy O’Neill
Penang, Malaysia
7th September 2013
Copyright article and all copy images – Courtesy of Daisy O’Neill Bird Conservation Fund
Reference;
A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia by Craig Robson
