The Blue-winged Pitta (Pitta moluccensis) is one of Vietnam’s most colorful migratory birds, renowned for its vibrant plumage and seasonal appearances in lowland forests. First described by Philipp Ludwig Statius Müller in 1776, this species belongs to:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pittidae
Length: 18–20 cm (7–8 in) | Weight: 60–90 g
Wingspan: 25–28 cm.
Lifespan: 5–7 years in the wild
Plumage:
Turquoise-blue wing coverts (most conspicuous in flight).
Crimson-red belly and vent.
Emerald-green mantle and blackish head with chestnut crown.
Other Traits:
Short, rounded tail (adaptation for ground-dwelling).
Thick black bill and pinkish legs.
Breeding Range (April–September):
Vietnam: Cat Tien, Cuc Phuong, and Lo Go-Xa Mat National Parks.
Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia.
Wintering Range (October–March):
Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo (eBird occurrence data 2023).
Primary Habitat: Lowland evergreen forests (<700 m elevation).
Microhabitats:
Dense understory near streams.
Bamboo thickets and swamp edges.
Threats:
Deforestation (logging, agriculture; BirdLife 2023).
Climate change disrupting monsoon-driven migration.
The Blue-winged Pitta serves as a bioindicator for healthy forest ecosystems. Its migration patterns (tracked via eBird) help scientists monitor climate impacts on avian populations. Protecting its habitats also safeguards sympatric species like the Orange-necked Partridge (Arborophila davidi).
![Itinerary - The moment of sunset in [3-Day] Herping & Birding Tour – Cat Tien National Park](https://wanee.asia/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3-Days-in-Cat-Tien-Np-scaled.jpg)
Diet:
70% insects (beetles, ants, caterpillars).
30% snails and earthworms (Nguyen Cu 2021, Cat Tien studies).
Foraging: Probes leaf litter with bill; occasionally hunts in shallow water.
Nesting:
Dome-shaped nest on the ground, woven from roots/leaves.
Clutch size: 3–5 eggs (incubated by both parents for 14–16 days).
Parental Care:
Chicks fledge at 12–14 days.
Juveniles retain duller plumage until first molt.
Calls: Loud, slurred “queeow-queeow” (repeated during breeding).
Migration Timing:
Arrives in Vietnam with April monsoon rains.
Departs by late September (eBird citizen science data).
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