Animalia Life

Pitta venusta
TAXONOMY
Pitta venusta S. Mьller, 1835, Sumatra.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Black-and-scarlet pitta, black-crowned pitta; French: Brиve gacieuse; German: Granatpitta; Spanish: Pita de Corona Negra.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
5.7–7.3 in (14.5–18.5 cm); weight unrecorded. Black head with light blue feather behind eye. Black breast and red underparts. Deep red back and black wings.
DISTRIBUTION
Western Sumatra.
HABITAT
Understory and lower levels of forest, especially in most ravines; 1,300–4,600 ft (400–1,400 m).
BEHAVIOR
Terrestrial and secretive, occurring alone or in pairs.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Diet includes insects, snails, seeds, and worms.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Probably breeds February to June. A single nest was domeshaped; constructed from roots, leaves (including bamboo), and soft, rotting material. Clutch size two to three. Eggs described as pure white or dull cream with buffish and brown spots and lines over gray-lilac markings. Markings are evenly distributed over the egg.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Considered Vulnerable as of 2000. Its small population may be decreasing due to deforestation and habitat loss.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.

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