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>
Show replies by date