Pittas (Pittidae) are a family of birds found in Asia, Australasia and Africa. There are numerous species in three genera, Pitta, Erythropitta and Hydrornis, all similar in general appearance and habits. They are Old World suboscines, closely related to the broadbills. Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards, at 15 to 25 cm (5.9–9.8 in) in length, and stocky, with strong, longish legs and long feet. They have very short tails and stout, slightly decurved bills. Many have brightly coloured plumage. Most pitta species are tropical, although a few species can be found in temperate climates. They are mostly found in forests, but some live in scrub and mangroves. They usually forage alone on wet forest floors in areas with good ground cover. They eat earthworms, snails, insects and similar invertebrate prey, as well as small vertebrates. The main threat to pittas is habitat loss in the form of rapid deforestation; they are also targeted by the cage-bird trade.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitta

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1894:

A crowd of workers unemployed due to the Panic of 1893 conducted the first significant popular protest march on Washington, D.C. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxey%27s_Army

1945:

World War II: As Allied forces were closing in on Berlin, Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun committed suicide in the Führerbunker after being married for one day. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Adolf_Hitler

1982:

Sixteen monks and a nun belonging to Ananda Marga in Calcutta, India, were dragged out of taxis by persons unknown in three different locations, beaten to death and then set on fire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bijon_Setu_massacre

2009:

A Dutch man drove his car at high speed into a parade in an attempt to kill the Dutch royal family. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_attack_on_the_Dutch_royal_family

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

desiccate: 1. (transitive) To remove moisture from; to dry. 2. (transitive) To preserve by drying. 3. (intransitive, rare) To become dry; to dry up. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/desiccate

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

To receive everything, one must open one's hands and give.   --Taisen Deshimaru https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Taisen_Deshimaru