Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura) is a passerine bird known as Naorang (nine colours) in Hindi and called Nauranga in Punjabi due to its striking colours.
A native bird of the Indian subcontinent, the Indian Pitta is a summer breeder. In the Inter State Chandigarh Region (ISCR), this bird was listed in the category of fairly common summer visitors. The bird’s habitat is scrubs and thinly forested areas.
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Its overall size is 19cm and the male and female are alike. The identification marks are an unmistakable plumage and a call early in the morning and late evening with two noted sharp whistles and a second note descending ‘tree-treer’.
With the summer arriving, the Tricity forest areas, including Sukhna forest reserve, Nepli Forest, Morni Forest etc, will be abuzz with the sharp alarm calls of the Indian Pitta at the crack of dawn and at dusk.
This bird usually feeds on insects and other small invertebrates. It does not hesitate to take kitchen food scraps from the ground. It breeds during the southwest monsoon from June to August, with peaks in June in central India, and in July in northern India.
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The Indian Pitta’s nest is a globular structure with a circular opening on one side built on the ground or on low branches. It is made up of dry leaves and grasses. The clutch is four to five eggs which are glossy white and spherical with spots and speckles of deep maroon or purple. Experts say the nine colours of the bird come to the fore when the bird engages in full movements, including spreading its wings.
The Indian Pitta’s nest is a globular structure with a circular opening on one side built on the ground or on low branches. (Express) 
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