The whiskered pitta is a rare species of bird in the family Pittidae. It is endemic to Luzon in the Philippines. Along with the Azure-breasted pitta, it is one of two endemic pittas in the country. This bird is the largest pitta in the country reaching 23 cm long and 116 grams in mass. It has a brownish head, blue breast, and red belly. It has broad ash malar or "whiskers". Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest and tropical moist montane forest. It is threatened by habitat loss and trapping. It is one of the most sought after birds by birdwatchers in the Philippines.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Endemic to the mountains of Luzon, the Whiskered Pitta inhabits primary and well-structured secondary tropical moist forests. It favors dense understory on steep slopes, ravines, and mossy gullies, often near streams. The species typically forages on the shaded forest floor under closed canopy and avoids open or heavily degraded habitats. It is highly sensitive to fragmentation and requires large, undisturbed tracts of forest.
Altitude Range
300–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Whiskered Pitta is a shy, ground-dwelling pitta found only on Luzon in the Philippines. Its name comes from the pale ash-colored malar “whiskers” on its face. Birdwatchers prize sightings due to its rarity and elusive behavior, and it is threatened by forest loss and trapping. It is the largest pitta in the Philippines.
An illustration of a Whiskered Pitta by Joseph Smit.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and direct
Social Behavior
Usually encountered alone or in pairs, keeping close to dense cover. Nests are dome-shaped structures placed low or on the ground, camouflaged among roots or dense vegetation. Both parents are thought to participate in care, with territorial calling from shaded perches.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, whistled series of notes delivered at intervals, often carrying far in quiet forest. Phrases are repeated from concealed perches, most frequently at dawn and dusk.
