When you venture into the deep forests of the Tropics, you will hear different songs and see outstanding sights of birds, one of which are the Green-breasted Pitta. Scientifically known as Pitta reichenowi, these birds belong to the family of Pittidae.
The Green-breasted Pitta is one of the difficult-to-find yet most sought-after bird despite its rather common status within East and Central African Countries. It is one of the only two species of Pitta in the African Continent and lives within the deep, thick and lush rainforests of the Tropics.
Physical characteristics
The beautiful colors of the Green-breasted Pitta are unbelievable and unimaginably bright red blended with subtle of black, green and yellow. Their glaring appearance incorporated with their iconic elusiveness has made them one of the most sought-after species during birding tours to Africa and beautiful Uganda to be specific. Due to their elusiveness, photographing just one of these small brightly-colored feathered beauties is every birder’s dream.
Their plumage is very indistinguishable to that of the African Pitta, the elusive Pitta species although the former have bottle-green colored breasts while their white throats are surrounded by black lines. Younger birds are dull-colored with darker plumage as well as brownish-olive breasts. They are broad-winged, tailless (short-tailed) and thrush-like birds with black and buff heads as well as shiny blue-spotted wings and rumps.
Habitat and distribution of Green-breasted Pitta
These rare and outstanding pitta species are found in the camouflaged, thick sub-tropical or tropical moist lowland rainforests of the Tropics, in countries of Gabon, Uganda, the Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and the Central African Republic. For Uganda, they occupy regions of altitudes ranging between 1000 and 1400 meters above sea level with Kibale Forest National Park being the most reliable spot to see them. However, they have also been recorded to be in Mabira and Budongo Forest Reserves. With these magnificent places, Uganda is obviously the most perfect place to encounter these elusive birds.
The Green-breasted Pittas are categorized as species of least concern under IUCN Red List.
Breeding and Incubation
The generally shy Green-breasted Pitta usually makes enticing breeding calls and display courtship behavior within the canopies. Males normally hop up for few seconds and offer bell-like whistled calls. During the summer months of June, July and August, these birds made loud sound (vocalizations) at first light and have been observed to be one of the Continent’s most sought after yet difficult-to-find bird species.
Aside the Green-breasted Pitta, the other most sought-after bird species in Uganda include the Great Blue Turaco, Bar-tailed Trogon, Black-breasted Barbet, shoebill storks, Standard-winged Nightjar, Doherty’s Bushshrike, the African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing and Short-tailed Warblers.
Diet and feeding habits
They forage singly or in pairs, with their peak breeding month being May. Green-breasted Pitta usually feed on small millipedes, hairy caterpillars, maggots, beetle larvae and adult beetles as well as small Centipedes.
Best month to encounter the Green-breasted Pitta
The best months of the year to encounter the green-breasted pitta are February, March, early-April, mid-June, July and August. However with luck you can be able to spot them at any time of the year.
What to pack for Birding in Uganda
For your birding safari in Uganda, pack only birding essentials that include hiking boots to be able to maneuver through different terrains to find different bird species including the Green-breasted Pitta, pair of binoculars, camera with good focus lenses, appropriate clothing (long-sleeved shirt, trousers), gardening gloves, hat, field guidebook, sunglasses, rainproof backpack, rain jacket, insect repellant, toiletries (hand sanitizer, deodorant, face wipes, toothpaste, sanitary towels for female travellers, bird checklist and many others.
