Superb pitta

The superb pitta (Pitta superba) is a large pitta that is endemic to Manus Island which lies to the north of Papua New Guinea.

Superb pitta
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pittidae
Genus: Pitta
Species:
P. superba
Binomial name
Pitta superba

Description

The superb pitta is about 22 cm (8.7 in) long. It has black plumage with turquoise blue wings, a scarlet belly and green-tipped secondaries. The sexes are very similar but the female is a slightly smaller and duller than the male. As with other pittas, it is a secretive and rarely seen terrestrial bird. The diet consists mainly of snails.

Distribution and habitat

The superb pitta is distributed and endemic to primary and secondary forests of Manus Island of Papua New Guinea. Due to ongoing habitat loss, limited range and small population size, it is evaluated as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

  • Nest of Superb Pitta
  • Eggs of Superb Pitta

References
  1. BirdLife International (2013). "Pitta superba". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Rothschild, Walter; Hartert, E. (August 2014). "Exhibition and description of new forms of birds from the Admiralty Islands". Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club. British Ornithologists' Club. XXXIII (1913–1914): 104–109. Retrieved 12 March 2020.


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