Azure-breasted pitta

Description

The pitta pettoazzurro (Pitta steerii (Sharpe,1876)) is a bird passerine of the family of Pittidi.Dimensions: Measure 18-19.5 cm in length,including the tail.Appearance: These birds have a plump,massive appearance,with short wings and tail,strong legs and an elongated head and beak: on the whole,they are very similar to the pitta-bourgeous pitta,with respect to which they have a smaller size and a different color of chest and hips.The livery is black on the whole head,less than on the throat,which is white: back,wings and tail are green grass,with remiges and a tail with strong blue reflections,while (as can be guessed from the common name) chest and hips are blue in color.The belly is black,while the lower abdomen and the undertail are dark red.The female is similar to the male,but with less bright color and lack of dorsal blue reflexes: in both sexes the beak is blackish,the legs are flesh-grayish and the eyes are brown.