Submission No 241: Blue-winged Pitta Pitta moluccensis, Burrup Peninsula, WA, 6 November 1994. (W.A. Naturalist Vol 20: 120). Submitted by R.E. Johnstone.

Verdict: Accepted

A submission that relates to the publication of a Blue-winged Pitta in the Western Australian Naturalist (Sept 1995). The account describes a live bird found on the loading jetty for Woodside Petroleum, on the Barrup Peninsula, WA 6 November 1994. As the bird was exhausted and in an injured condition it was kept in confinement prior to being transported to the Perth Zoo some days later. The bird was measured & weighed and a few brief notes taken. The ensuing published account forming the material for the committee to assess.

Committee members quickly came to the conclusion that the biometrics of this bird safely eliminates Mangrove Pitta P. megarhyncha and other 'blue winged' pittas. In particular the culmen which measured 29.3mm compared with P. megarhyncha which has a distinctly longer culmen measuring 38-42mm (Lambert 1996). One member did point out that the published description does not indicate how this bird was distinguished from Fairy Pitta P. nympha. However, all other members were confident that the identification was correct, with one member fortunate enough to inspect the specimen while in Western Australia.

Assuming historical records to be correct this is the fifth record of Blue-winged Pitta claimed for Australia (including a specimen from Christmas Island 1901) and the second to be accepted by the committee.

References and Bibliography

• Johnstone, R.E. (1995) A Blue-winged Pitta (Pitta molucensis) in Western Australia. The Western Australian Naturalist, Vol 20, No.2, p120.
• King, B., Woodcock, M. & Dickinson, E.C. (1975) A field Guide to the Birds of South East Asia. Collins, London.
• Lambert, F. and Woodcock, M. (1996) Pittas, Broadbills and Asities. Pica Press, Sussex, U.K.

Tony Palliser
Chairman Birds Australia Rarities Committee (BARC)