Australia
SpeciesField NotesLog inDownload

Field notes

Stay in the loop

Get updates, new features, and Australian birding news.

By subscribing, I agree to receive BirdUp Australia updates, new features, and Australian birding news.

Australia
Download for iOSDownload for AndroidSpeciesField NotesRSSNewsletterBrandPrivacyTerms

BirdUp Australia Pty Ltd © 2026. Made in Australia for Australian birders.

  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Pittidae
  4. ›
  5. Erythropitta
  6. ›
  7. Papuan Pitta

BirdUp · Species

Papuan Pitta

Erythropitta macklotii(Temminck, 1834)

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Native
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Pittidae
Genus
Erythropitta

At a glance

The Papuan Pitta is a small bird, about 15–19 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia.

Size
15–19 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Native
  • Identification
  • Where
  • Behaviour

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Papuan Pitta look like?

The Papuan Pitta is a small bird, about 15–19 cm long and weighing 74–116 g.

The Papuan pitta is a terrestrial passerine found in New Guinea and Cape York Peninsula. Formerly considered a subspecies of the Red-bellied Pitta (Erythropitta erythrogaster), it inhabits lowland rainforests and monsoon forests. It is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
15–19 cm
Weight
74–116 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

  • Observe its terrestrial movement as it bounds or hops rapidly with both feet, frequently pausing to stand tall in a very upright posture.
  • When calling from a low perch, the bird often bobs its head and puffs out its blue chest feathers in a rhythmic motion.

plumage

  • Look for the sharp contrast between a wide, solid blue band across the upper chest and the bright scarlet-red of the lower breast and belly.
  • The head and nape are a deep, dark chocolate-brown, which provides a somber contrast to the brilliant blue and red of the underparts.

size_and_shape

  • Displays a distinctive 'tailless' silhouette with a plump, egg-shaped body and noticeably long legs.

voice

  • Listen for a mournful, two-note whistle, 'waa-wauw', with the second note slurred and dropping significantly in pitch.

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Papuan Pitta eat?

The Papuan Pitta feeds on invertebrates including earthworms, snails and and insects..

The BirdUp app

Log your next Papuan Pitta in the field

A pocket field journal for 850+ Australian birds. Offline-first, smart ID, and a lifelist that travels with you.

Get the appRead field notes
Spotted something wrong on this page? Report incorrect info

02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Papuan Pitta live in Australia?

The Papuan Pitta is native to Australia.

Breeding range
Kai Is. (south-east Moluccas), New Guinea and Cape York Pen. (Australia)