Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: A census of mangrove pitta birds was conducted in two coastal districts of Odisha, India, where the nearly threatened species is found.
- A total of 179 individual mangrove pitta birds were counted, with the highest concentration found in the mangroves near the Mahipura river mouth inside the Bhitarkanika National Park.
| About Mangrove Pitta bird | The mangrove pitta is a species of passerine bird in the family Pittidae native to the eastern Indian Subcontinent and western Southeast Asia. |
| Scientific name | Pitta megharencha
|
| Conservation status | Near Threatened |
| Habitat | Coastal mangrove forests in Eastern India |
| Characteristics | Forages on the ground and rests on trees |
| First census location | Coastal mangrove patches in Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts, Odisha, India |
About Bhitarkanika National Park
Bhitarkanika National Park is the second-largest Mangrove ecosystem in India. It is inundated with waters from rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra and Patasala forming a unique ecosystem. It is the breeding place for the Salt Water Crocodiles. The Gahirmatha Beach which forms the boundary of the sanctuary in the east is the largest colony of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
