Mangrove Pitta Birds

Subject : Environment

Section: Species in news

Context: First-ever census finds 179 mangrove pitta birds in two coastal Odisha districts.

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Mangrove pitta birds are a nearly threatened species found in few pockets of eastern India, including Odisha’s Bhitarkanika and West Bengal’s Sundarbans.
The first census of mangrove pitta ( Pitta megharencha) birds was mainly focused on the mangrove patches all along the coasts of Kendrapara and Jagatsingpur districts.
The birds were counted by direct sighting and from their chirping.

Mangrove Pitta Birds

Mangrove Pitta is a species of bird that is endemic to the mangrove forests of South and Southeast Asia.
Scientific name: Pitta megarhyncha
The Mangrove Pitta inhabits mangrove forests along the coast and in the deltas of Southeast Asia. It is found in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
The Mangrove Pitta has a bright blue head and neck, with a black mask that extends from the eyes to the nape. Its upperparts are green, while its underparts are yellow. It has a long and strong bill that is used to dig for insects in the mud.
The Mangrove Pitta is a shy and elusive bird that is often heard before it is seen. It feeds on insects, crustaceans, and molluscs, which it finds by probing the mud with its bill. It is a solitary bird that is often found in pairs during the breeding season.
Mangrove Pitta is an important indicator species of the health and biodiversity of mangrove ecosystem.
Threats: Mangrove pittas are threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation, conversion of mangroves to aquaculture ponds, and urbanization. They are also hunted for food and trapped for the pet trade.
Conservation status: The Mangrove Pitta is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.