The mangrove pitta is a species of passerine bird in the family Pittidae native to the eastern Indian Subcontinent and western Southeast Asia. It is part of a superspecies where it is placed with the Indian pitta, the fairy pitta and the blue-winged pitta but has no recognized subspecies. A colourful bird, it has a black head with brown crown, white throat, greenish upper parts, buff underparts and reddish vent area. Its range extends from India to Malaysia and Indonesia. It is found in mangrove and nipa palm forests where it feeds on crustaceans, mollusks and insects. Its call, sometimes rendered as wieuw-wieuw, is sung from a high perch on a mangrove tree.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
The mangrove pitta inhabits coastal mangrove forests, including nipa palm stands and back-mangrove scrub. It frequents muddy creek margins, pneumatophore zones, and tangled prop-root thickets where it forages on the ground. The range extends from eastern India and Bangladesh through coastal Myanmar and Thailand to Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, reaching parts of Sumatra and Borneo. It tolerates lightly degraded mangroves but avoids interior non-mangrove forests and heavily urbanized shores.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This striking pitta depends heavily on intact mangrove habitats and is sensitive to deforestation and coastal development. It often hunts crabs and snails on muddy substrates, using its strong bill to crush or hammer prey against roots. Its ringing two-note whistle, often rendered wieuw-wieuw, carries far across tidal creeks.
Mangrove pitta at Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha, India
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, reluctant flier
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Nests are domed or globular structures placed low in mangrove shrubs or among roots. Both parents attend the nest and feed the brood of roughly 3–5 eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, ringing two-note whistle, often transcribed as wieuw-wieuw, repeated at intervals from a high perch. Also gives sharp scolding calls when disturbed.
Plumage
Glossy green upperparts with a bright blue wing panel, buff underparts grading to rufous on the vent, and a white throat. The head shows a black mask and face with a warm brown crown.
Diet
Feeds primarily on crabs, snails, insects, and other small invertebrates. It searches methodically on muddy ground and among mangrove roots, seizing prey with quick jabs. Hard-shelled prey may be beaten or crushed against roots or firm substrates.
Preferred Environment
Forages along tidal mudflats, creek margins, and within dense mangrove understory. Often keeps to shaded, tangled areas near water where prey is abundant.
