In the shadowy undergrowth of Southeast Asia’s rainforests, this jewel-toned ground sentinel moves with measured, almost ceremonial steps. It searches the damp forest floor for insects, worms, and tiny invertebrates, pausing in stillness before striking with sudden precision. What makes it extraordinary is its intimate link to the health of the forest below — by turning leaf litter and regulating insect life, it helps recycle nutrients that feed the towering trees above. A flash of blue and chestnut in the dim green hush, yet a vital keeper of the rainforest’s hidden pulse.
Blue-banded Pitta 👇
