A small, brightly-coloured bird, the fairy pitta lights up the forest floor with its red-striped belly and electric-blue wing coverts. Just 16-20cm in length – and typical of pittas with its stubby tail and upright stance – this shy, largely ground-dwelling bird also has a distinctive chestnut crown and black ‘bandit’s mask’. A jade-green back and buff chest completes the look. When it’s perched in a tree, you might mistake this striking bird for a kingfisher. |
