The Banda Sea pitta or two-striped pitta is a species of bird in the family Pittidae. It is found in Indonesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Wallacea, Banda Sea and adjacent Maluku Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs in subtropical to tropical moist lowland forests, favoring dense understory with deep leaf litter. It uses primary forest as well as lightly logged and mature secondary forest where cover remains intact. Typically keeps to shaded gullies, stream edges, and thickets. It is largely terrestrial, moving by short hops as it forages along the forest floor.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Two-striped Pitta, this shy forest bird is part of the formerly broader red-bellied pitta complex. It keeps to dense understory and leaf litter, where it is more often heard than seen. Habitat loss from logging and forest conversion in the Banda Sea region is the main threat.
Temperament
shy and secretive, strongly territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; low, direct dashes between cover
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, maintaining territories on the forest floor. Breeding pairs construct domed or globular nests low to the ground from leaves and rootlets. Clutches are small, and both adults tend and feed the young. Displays and duets are used to reinforce pair bonds.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, far-carrying series of mellow whistles, often two-noted and repeated at intervals. Calls can be mournful and penetrating, delivered from concealed perches within dense understory.
Plumage
Compact, short-tailed pitta with rich crimson underparts and dark, glossy bluish upperparts. The head is mostly dark with two pale buff lines on the face, giving the 'two-striped' look. Often shows a subtle cobalt shoulder patch and darker mantle, with clean, bright red belly and vent.
Diet
Primarily eats ground-dwelling invertebrates such as beetles, ants, termites, and larvae. Also takes worms, small snails, and occasionally small frogs or other soft-bodied prey. It gleans and probes in leaf litter, turning leaves with the bill to uncover hidden prey.
Preferred Environment
Forages on shaded forest floor, especially in damp gullies, along streams, and under dense thickets. Uses logs, root tangles, and buttresses as cover while feeding.
