Ask a Birder

Ask a Birder: Which Countries are Best to See Pittas?

November 12, 2025 by Kai Pflug 1 Comment

While there are some pitta-deniers even among the 10,000 Bird writers, they do indeed exist*. But where to see them, or at least try to?

Indonesia is the country with the largest number of pitta species – about 20 or so, depending how fine your species split is. Unfortunately, that does not mean there are too many pitta species on just one of the approximately 17,000 islands comprising Indonesia. Many are confined to just a few islands, such as the Ivory-breasted Pitta of Halmahera …

… or the Sulawesi Pitta of (wait for it!) Sulawesi.

Other species are a bit more accessible, such as the Javan Banded Pitta, conventiently living on the most populous island.

But overall, theoretically, the best location to find pittas, but not the easiest to find several species in just one trip.

Personally, I found Vietnam‘s south a good place to see some exciting pittas, in particular, Bar-bellied Pitta …

… and Blue Pitta.

Thailand also has several pitta species, including some very rare ones such as Gurney’s Pitta (though eBird describes it as “all but functionally extinct” there – and the alternative location, Myanmar, is not a particularly safe place for birding), however, I have only seen Blue-winged Pitta there so far. My own fault, I am sure.

Malaysia might be the best place to see pittas when combining species variety and ease of access – though finding pittas in places such as Taman Negara can still be very frustrating. Sabah is a bit easier, though without very good local knowledge, even experienced bird guides may struggle to find species such as Hooded Pitta …

… or Black-crowned Pitta.

The one place good for pittas that I have not visited yet is Papua New Guinea. I am sure that sooner or later I will have to go there and try to see the superb Superb Pitta.

Finally, China is generally not a stronghold of pittas – but Yunnan is more Southeast Asia than proper China, and I have seen several pittas there, including Blue-naped Pitta and Rusty-naped Pitta (shown).

Guangxi, another Chinese province, has Blue-rumped Pitta.

Even in Shanghai, it is possible to see a pitta (Fairy Pitta) – but given its rarity and short stays in Shanghai on migration, I would not recommend visiting Shanghai just for this species.

Honorable mentions (not a complete list):

  • Australia (Noisy Pitta, Rainbow Pitta)
  • India (Indian Pitta)
  • Singapore (Blue-winged Pitta)
  • Sri Lanka (Indian Pitta, fairly easy to see in winter)
  • Uganda (Green-breasted Pitta)
  • Zimbabwe (African Pitta)

Cover Photo: Indian Pitta (Sri Lanka)



* In conversations with pittas, some told me they doubt that a writer named Peter Penning actually exists. I have no definite opinion on this, but have to admit that the name has the ring of a hastily concocted pseudonym of a not-very-creative blogger. My doubts will certainly become more severe should future 10,000 Birds authors be named Carl Canning, Luke Lunning, or Mike Minning.

Written by Kai Pflug
Kai has lived in Shanghai for more than 21 years. He only started birding after moving to China, so he is far more familiar with Chinese birds than the ones back in his native Germany. As a birder, he considers himself strictly average and tries to make up for it with photography, which he shares on a separate website. Alas, most of the photos are pretty average as well. He hopes that few clients of his consulting firm—focused on China’s chemical industry—ever find this blog, as it might raise questions about his professional priorities. Much of his time is spent either editing posts for 10,000 Birds or cleaning the litter boxes of his numerous indoor cats. He occasionally considers writing a piece comparing the two activities.