Malayan Bended Pitta: The Shy Beauty

The Malayan banded pitta (Hydrornis irena), locally known as the Paok panca warna, is one of the most striking birds of Southeast Asia’s tropical forests. With its colourful plumage, it is a favourite with birdwatchers and nature photographers from around the world. However, its shyness and beauty are hidden in the dense foliage of the lowland forests, making an encounter a truly extraordinary experience.

The male Malayan banded pitta is recognisable by its striking combination of bright blue, yellow and orange stripes across its body. The female is more subdued in colour, with a pattern that is just as beautiful but more muted than the male. It is small and stout, about 20–25 cm long, and is often only glimpsed as it bounds swiftly across the forest floor.

This bird has a distinctive call, a soft whistle that is often heard before it is seen. They are usually solitary or found in pairs, moving about the forest floor for insects and worms.

The Malayan banded pitta is found in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo, with a preference for primary tropical forests. Unfortunately, this bird is becoming increasingly rare due to its habitat being threatened by deforestation. They require dense forests with good canopy cover for shelter and hunting.

The Malayan banded pitta is not only an interesting species for birdwatchers, but also an indicator of the health of the forest ecosystem. Its presence shows that the forest ecosystem is still good enough to support biodiversity. Protecting this bird also means protecting many other species that depend on tropical forests.

Have you ever seen a Malayan bended pitta in the wild, write your experience in the comments.