Image via Macaulay Library
Malayan Banded-Pitta
- Scientific name
- Hydrornis irena
- Family
- Pittidae
- Conservation status
- Near threatened
- Habitat
- Forest deciduous
- Wing shape
- Rounded
- Tail shape
- Rounded
Where it came from
The Malayan Banded-Pitta (Hydrornis irena) was formally described in the mid-19th century as part of the broader study of Southeast Asian avifauna. These birds belong to the family Pittidae, a group of ground-dwelling forest birds characterized by their striking, jewel-toned plumage. They evolved to thrive in the dense understory of lowland dipterocarp forests, where their rounded wing and tail shapes serve as specialized adaptations for navigating through thick, cluttered vegetation rather than sustained long-distance flight.
The taxonomy of this species has historically been the subject of debate among ornithologists, often grouped within the larger Banded-Pitta complex before being recognized as a distinct species. The design of the bird—a complex pattern of black, blue, and brown horizontal barring—functions as disruptive camouflage in the dappled light of the forest floor. They have long been admired by naturalists and specimen collectors for their vivid coloration, which remains one of the most distinctive visual signatures of the Sundaic subregion's biodiversity.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Malayan Banded-Pitta
Malayan Banded-Pitta is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Malayan Banded-Pitta on collecto.rs?
Malayan Banded-Pitta doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Malayan Banded-Pitta?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Malayan Banded-Pitta catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Malayan Banded-Pitta is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
