Gurney’s pitta  (Pitta gurneyi)

This species is endemic to peninsular Thailand and southern Myanmar. At present, the only certain and viable population occurs in a small area known as Khao Nor Chuchi, in the province of Krabi, Thailand. The species had not been seen for many years until it was rediscovered in 1986 (2). Recent figures state that numbers have declined to just 9 breeding pairs in 1997, from 44 to 45 in 1986 (8).

Gurney’s pitta inhabits lowland semi-evergreen rainforest and shows a preference for narrow dense valleys with little or no undergrowth. There is also a strong association with gully systems and the resulting moist conditions that persist throughout the year (4).