African Pitta

Pitta angolensis Vieillot, 1816

Pittidae — Pittas

African Pitta, Pitta angolensis, is a bird of Africa, breeding in the east, south-east, west-central and west of the continent. It belongs to the Pittidae family and was described by Vieillot in 1816. In the west it is resident and migratory, while elsewhere it moves within Africa between equatorial and south-eastern regions. It is difficult to see, even though its plumage is bright, and its loud, sudden calls are not often heard. It uses leaf litter beneath the canopy of riparian or coastal forest, thickets and mature miombo forest, and breeding birds call and display from the mid-canopy after rain.

Order
Passeriformes
Family
Pittidae — Pittas
Breeding range
Africa: e, se, wc, w
African Pitta
© Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

8 tours in Kenya 3, Zimbabwe 2, Zambia 1, Uganda 1, Tanzania 1

African Pitta and Zambian Endemics 2026
African Pitta and Zambian Endemics 2026
Zambia / Choma Group tour 11 days

An eleven-day Zambia birding expedition linking Lochinvar, southern Kafue, Choma and the Lower Zambezi for African Pitta and national endemi...

From USD 3,675 Next: Nov 26, 2026
6-Day African Pitta Birding Safari in Zimbabwe
6-Day African Pitta Birding Safari in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe / Harare 6 days

A six-day seasonal journey from Harare to the Zambezi Valley, built around the African Pitta breeding period and three full days of birding ...

6-Day Pedza Pasi African Pitta Birding Safari
6-Day Pedza Pasi African Pitta Birding Safari
Zimbabwe / Dande Valley Group tour 6 days

A private Zimbabwe birding journey from Harare to Pedza Pasi in the Dande Valley, focused on African Pitta and Zambezi lowveld specialists....

15-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari
15-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari
Uganda / Entebbe Private tour 15 days

Across fifteen private days, explore Mabamba wetlands, the Nile at Murchison, western forests, Queen Elizabeth savannah and Lake Mburo....

17 Days Tanzania Birding Tour
17 Days Tanzania Birding Tour
Tanzania / Arusha Group tour 17 days

A 17-day Southern Tanzania birding and wildlife route linking Dar es Salaam, Saadani, Mikumi, Ruaha, Udzungwa, Kilombero and Nyerere....

15 Days Kenya Coastal Birding Tour
15 Days Kenya Coastal Birding Tour
Kenya / Nairobi Group tour 15 days

A 15-day Kenya coastal birding route from Amboseli and Taita through Tsavo, Arabuko–Sokoke, Mida, Sabaki, the lower Tana forests and Shimb...

Shimba Hills National Reserve
Shimba Hills National Reserve
Kenya / Nairobi Group tour 1 day

A full-day birding excursion from Mombasa or Diani through Shimba Hills’ coastal forest and grassland for regional specialties and Sable A...

Arabuko Sokoke Forest
Arabuko Sokoke Forest
Kenya / Nairobi Group tour 1 day

A private birding day in Kenya’s 420-square-kilometer Arabuko-Sokoke coastal forest, exploring distinct habitats for localized forest bird...