The noisy pitta is a species of bird in the family Pittidae. The noisy pitta is found in eastern Australia and southern New Guinea. It eats earthworms, insects and snails. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
Region
Eastern Australia and southern New Guinea
Typical Environment
Found along the moist, forested east coast of Australia from far north Queensland south into New South Wales, and seasonally in southern New Guinea. It inhabits rainforests, wet eucalypt forests, coastal vine thickets, and dense secondary growth. The species favors shaded gullies, creek lines, and areas with deep leaf litter and logs. It often uses forest edges and regenerating habitats provided they offer dense understorey and moist soils.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The noisy pitta is famous for its loud, ringing whistle often rendered as 'walk-to-work,' repeated persistently from dense forest. It cracks snail shells on a favorite stone 'anvil,' leaving telltale piles of fragments. A ground nester, it builds a domed nest of sticks and leaves with a side entrance. Despite its vivid colors, it is remarkably secretive and skulks through leaf litter.
Pitta feeding "anvil" with broken land snail shells
Noisy pittas in southern Queensland have larger clutch sizes than birds further north
Egg of a noisy pitta
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct flights
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, keeping to dense undergrowth. Builds a domed ground nest of sticks and leaves; both parents participate in incubation and feeding. Breeding occurs mainly in spring–summer in Australia, with strong site fidelity to favored territories.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A loud, clear, whistled three-note phrase commonly transcribed as 'walk-to-work,' repeated at intervals from a hidden perch. Also gives sharp scolds and metallic notes when alarmed.
Plumage
Bright green upperparts with a buff to cinnamon breast, black head with a buff supercilium, blue shoulder/wing panel, and vivid red undertail coverts.
Diet
Forages on the forest floor for earthworms, beetles, ants, and other insects, as well as snails whose shells it breaks on a stone anvil. Will also take small crustaceans and other soft-bodied invertebrates in damp areas. Occasionally consumes small fruits or seeds, but animal prey dominates.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in deep leaf litter, among fallen logs, and along moist creek lines within dense forest. Often works methodically, hopping and flicking leaves to expose hidden prey near shaded, humid microhabitats.
