About Pitta versicolor Swainson, 1825
The noisy pitta (Pitta versicolor Swainson, 1825) measures 19 to 21 cm (7.5–8.3 in) in length. Males weigh between 70–112 g (2.5–4.0 oz), while females weigh 70–128 g (2.5–4.5 oz). It is a colourful bird, with a black head and nape, and a chestnut crown. Both its back and wings are green; the front edge of the wings is turquoise. Its throat, breast, and belly are lemon yellow. Its tail is black, and its under-tail coverts are orange-red. Juvenile noisy pittas resemble adults but have duller colouration. Juvenile wings are olive green, and the buffy breast, throat, and chin are all washed with grey. The chestnut crown feathers of juveniles are tipped with black, and their lesser wing coverts have no blue. The noisy pitta inhabits forest habitats along Australia’s east coast. Its breeding range stretches from the Torres Strait Islands and the northern tip of Cape York Peninsula south to the border between New South Wales and Victoria. It occurs mainly in rainforest, but can sometimes be found in drier woodland and scrub. Outside of Australia, it may be present in southern New Guinea, where it is likely an underreported winter migrant. It has also been suggested that the species breeds in southern New Guinea.
