Black-crowned pitta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black-crowned pitta |
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| E. ussheri in Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Malaysia | |
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| Genus: |
Erythropitta
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| Species: |
ussheri
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The black-crowned pitta (Erythropitta ussheri) is a super colorful bird. It lives on the ground and is part of the pitta family. People also call it the black-headed pitta or black-and-crimson pitta. This bird is special because it only lives on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. A scientist named John Gould first described it in 1877. He found it near the Lawas River in northern Sarawak.
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About the Black-crowned Pitta
This pitta bird was once thought to be a type of garnet pitta. But scientists later found out it was different. They noticed its body shape and calls were unique. Also, these two pitta types do not mix or have babies together. This means the black-crowned pitta is its own special species.
What Does the Black-crowned Pitta Look Like?
These birds are about 13 to 15.5 centimeters long. They weigh between 50 and 64 grams. Adult pittas are very easy to spot. They have a black head and chest. Their belly is bright crimson red. They also have cool, pale blue stripes. These stripes go from their eyes towards the back of their head.
The top part of their body is a dark purple-blue. They have a shiny, bright blue patch on their wing. The tip of their bill is bright red or orange. Baby pittas are yellow with red mouths and bill tips. Young pittas are dark brown. They slowly get their adult colors as they grow up.
How Black-crowned Pittas Live
Breeding and Nests
Black-crowned pittas usually have their babies from early February to late July. This is the driest time of the year. Their nest looks like a dome. They build it on a muddy bank. They use coarse sticks and bark for the base. The inside is made of fine roots and leaves. They also put a roof of leaves on top.
A female pitta usually lays two eggs. The eggs are white with dark red and black spots.
What Do They Eat?
The black-crowned pitta eats many different small creatures. Most of their food is invertebrates. This means animals without a backbone. Their diet includes spiders, ants, cockroaches, beetles, and snails.
Their Special Call
The black-crowned pitta has a quiet whistle for its call. It lasts about four seconds. The sound gets louder and higher in pitch as it goes on. It is a bit different from the garnet pitta's call. The black-crowned pitta's call stops less suddenly. It also wavers a little in the middle.
Where Do Black-crowned Pittas Live?
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These pittas have only been seen in Sabah, which is a state in Malaysia. Sabah is in northern Borneo. They live in tropical rainforests that are close to the sea. They can be found up to about 300 meters high. Above this height, you might find a different bird called the blue-banded pitta.
Black-crowned pittas like dark and damp places. They especially like ravines where there is a lot of thick plant cover. In places like the Danum Valley Conservation Area, there are many of them. Scientists have counted about 21 to 22 pairs of pittas in every square kilometer there. They can also live in forests that have been partly cut down. Sometimes, they are even found in old rubber and Albizia plantations.
Protecting the Black-crowned Pitta
The black-crowned pitta's home has been affected by lots of deforestation. This means many trees have been cut down in northern Borneo. Even though these birds can live in some damaged areas, their numbers are likely going down. However, for now, they are still listed as "least concern." This means they are not in immediate danger of disappearing.
