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Pitta megarhyncha P. Müller, 1776
| Family Name: | Pittidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Vertebrates (Bird) |
| Common Name: | Mangrove Pitta |
Name
Description
| Description | Crown is uniform buffy-brown in colour, with indistinct crown stripe and massive, long bill. |
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Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | A mangrove specialist frequenting the understorey and ground of this habitat where it finds most of its invertebrate prey. |
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| Habitats | Mangroves |
| Distribution | Pulau Ubin and Tekong has known breeding populations of the bird, while mainland Singapore receives occasional visitors from surrounding populations. |
| Nature Areas | Pulau Tekong, Pulau Ubin |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Habitat loss. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | The only resident ground-living bird within mangroves and a potential indicator of lack of disturbance. The plumage is highly attractive. |
| Conservation Notes | Estimated population of 10-20 birds. The mangrove on the northern sector of Pulau Tekong should be fully protected and proposed as a nature conservation area as most remaining resident pairs are found there. Pulau Ubin has 2-3 pairs – this island is already a Nature Area in the Singapore Green Plan. |
Status
| Species Status | Resident |
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| Conservation Status | Rare |
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Critically Endangered (CR) [2008] |
Photos
References
| References | Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp Lim, K.S. & Gardner, D. 1997. Birds: An illustrated field guide to the birds of Singapore. Singapore: Sun Tree Publishing Limited. 226pp Wang, L.K. & Hails, C.J. 2007. An annotated checklist of the birds of Singapore. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement no. 15. 179pp |
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