image source: superhide.multiply.com
image source: galleryofbirds.com 
Habitat: in forest in the Thai-Malay Peninsula and the Greater Sundas (except Sulawesi)
Status: Least Concern 

Here’s a beautiful bird to brighten your Monday. This is the Banded Pitta (Pitta guajana) and it only stands at around 8 inches tall. However, its attitude and posture – check out those legs placed in the wayyyy back – make it seem much larger. 

These guys are carnivorous birds that forage almost entirely in the underbrush of Thailand’s forests. I’m sure it would be a real treat to spot this bird amongst dense foliage. That unmistakable brilliant face, appearing as if to be on fire, would certainly light up my day!

I hope it does for you, too!