Eared Pitta
Hydrornis phayrei
双辫八色鸫
Introduction
Species of bird in the pitta family Pittidae found in Southeast Asia. Inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. Only species in the Pitta family with entirely cryptic colours in adults of both sexes; exhibits sexually dimorphic plumage with a cryptic juvenile plumage. Global population size unquantified but reported as rare or very rare in most localities, occasionally locally common. Evaluated as Least Concern due to large range and stable population trend.
Description
Medium-sized passerine with entirely cryptic plumage in both sexes. Adult male has central black line over crown extending to nape, flanked by rufescent buff feathers with black margins. Lores, sides of face, and nape are black. White superciliary feathers are pointed and barred black, projecting beyond occiput. Upperparts, wings, and tail are rufescent brown; primaries blackish brown with buff bar at base. Chin and central throat white; sides of throat, flanks, and abdomen ferruginous brown with black spotting. Undertail-coverts pale vermilion. Bill black with reddish brown mandible at gape; iris deep brown; feet and claws flesh-coloured. Female similar but with denser black breast spotting, shorter less pure white superciliary feathers, and pencilled black ear-coverts.
Distribution & Habitat
Found in Southeast Asia. Inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
Conservation
IUCN Red List category: Least Concern. Global population size unquantified but believed stable. Species has very large range exceeding vulnerable thresholds under range size criterion. Population trend stable, not approaching vulnerable thresholds under population trend criterion. Rare or very rare in most localities though occasionally locally common.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pittidae
- Genus
- Hydrornis
- eBird Code
- earpit1
Distribution
Bangladesh to Myanmar, Thailand, southern China, southern Cambodia, and central Annam
Vocalizations
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.