Pittas (Pittidae)

Azure-breasted Pitta (Pitta steerii) - HBW 8, p. 149

French: Brève de Steere German: Azurbrustpitta Spanish: Pita de Mindanao
Other common names: Steere’s Pitta

Taxonomy: Brachyurus Steerii Sharpe, 1876, Dumalon, Mindanao, Philippine Islands.
Has sometimes been considered closest to P. superba and P. maxima, or to form a superspecies with those and P. sordida, but morphological differences appear to be too great for this treatment to be acceptable; probably closest to last of those three. Race coelestis poorly differentiated, possibly not meriting taxonomic recognition. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • coelestis Parkes, 1971 - C Philippines (Samar, Leyte, Bohol).
  • steerii (Sharpe, 1876) - Mindanao.