Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura)

India is home to a rich diversity of birds, celebrated for their vibrant forms and colors, lively movements, and melodious songs. The country’s vast subcontinent, with its varied climatic conditions and geographical features, provides ideal habitats for a wide array of feathered inhabitants. The four postage stamps featuring Indian birds released in 1968 were highly appreciated both domestically and internationally. The Posts and Telegraphs Department is pleased to introduce another series of four stamps showcasing Indian birds.

Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura): This brightly colored, thrush-like passerine bird with a stumpy tail is found throughout peninsular India, mainly as a resident, though it engages in considerable seasonal local migrations. The male and female are similar in appearance. The Indian Pitta primarily lives on the ground, hopping through shrubbery and rummaging amidst fallen leaves. It is known for its loud, clear double whistle, typically heard in the early morning and late evening.