Breeding Season and Clutch Size of the Noisy Pitta Pitta versicolor in Tropical and Subtropical Australia

Abstract

Data on the breeding season and clutch size of the Noisy Pitta Pitta versicolor were obtained from the literature, RAOU's Nest Record Scheme and egg collections in Australia and overseas. Overall most egg laying occurs between October and January but on Cape York Peninsula it is significantly later (November-February). This is likely to be associated with the very seasonal rainfall on Cape York compared with other regions. Clutches of three and four were most common. That clutches were significantly smaller in tropical than subtropical regions may be associated with the scarcity of food resources in humid tropical rain forest.