The Bismarck pitta or New Ireland pitta is a species of pitta. It was formerly considered conspecific with the red-bellied pitta. It is endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago in Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Melanesia (Bismarck Archipelago)
Typical Environment
Occurs in subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests of New Ireland and adjacent small islands, with possible occurrence on nearby islets where suitable habitat persists. It favors dense understory with deep leaf litter, fallen logs, and vine tangles. The species uses both primary and well-structured secondary forest, but it is scarce in heavily degraded or fragmented areas. It keeps close to the ground and often stays near stream gullies and shaded slopes.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the New Ireland pitta, this species was split from the red-bellied pitta complex and is confined to the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. It is a shy, ground-dwelling forest bird that relies on dense, intact lowland rainforest. Ongoing logging and forest conversion on New Ireland and nearby islands pose the main threats. Its loud, whistled song carries far through the understory despite the bird being rarely seen.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low to the ground
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, maintaining territories on the forest floor. Nests are dome-shaped structures of leaves and roots placed on banks or among dense ground cover. Both parents are believed to contribute to nesting duties and chick provisioning.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, far-carrying series of mellow whistles, often given as two to three notes with rising or falling inflection. Calls include sharp chips and soft contact notes from dense cover, especially at dawn and dusk.
