Famed Indian bird sighted at Hingolgadh reserve

RAJKOT: One of the most colourful birds in the Indian subcontinent Indian Pitta has arrived at Hingolgadh nature education sanctuary, some 65 km away from Rajkot city.
Forest officials disclosed that the Indian Pitta is locally known as Navrang' meaning nine coloured'. "Indian Pittas have arrived here and have made their presence felt by their distinct calls.They arrived a few days ago. Usually, the colourful bird starts arriving just before the monsoon,'' said range forest officer V D Bala. The Indian Pitta makes a two-part whistle, a kee-kee' note mostly in the mornings. The sanctuary's environment has become alive with the chirping of its calls.
It is a local migratory bird and comes from Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. The ardent bird watchers in the state eagerly wait for its arrival. "The Indian Pitta is seen in Gir, Barda and surrounding areas as well. They stay here for around four months before returning," said a forest official.
The Hingolgadh sanctuary extending over a forest area of 654.07 hectares has been holding nature education camps for schoolchildren every year.