After being declared extinct for over 30 years, a brilliantly colored bird was found alive in this small patch of lowland forest, sparking a global conservation effort.
Michael Gillam from Phuket, Thailand, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A Lazarus species
The Gurney's Pitta, Hydrornis gurneyi, is a medium-sized bird, measuring 18.5-20.5 cm. The male is unmistakable, with a brilliant blue crown, black face, and bright yellow and black underparts. The female is more subdued, with a brown crown and buff-colored underside. First described in 1875 from a specimen in Myanmar, the bird was last scientifically recorded in Thailand in 1952. For 34 years, it vanished. With no confirmed sightings, it was widely believed to be extinct.
Then, on June 14, 1986, ornithologists Philip Round and Uthai Treesucon rediscovered a small population here in the lowland rainforest of Khao Nor Chuchi. After years of searching, their find made international news. Surveys between 1986 and 1988 identified a total of 40-45 pairs in this specific area. The rediscovery prompted the establishment of the Khao Pra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary in 1987 to protect the remaining habitat. This location became the only accessible place in the world for birdwatchers to see this incredibly rare species.
An uncertain future
The primary threat to the Gurney's Pitta is the destruction of its habitat. The species requires level, lowland semi-evergreen rainforest, typically below an altitude of 150 meters. This is precisely the type of land most sought after for conversion into oil palm and rubber plantations. Since 1999, an estimated 81% of the pitta's suitable habitat in the wider region has been lost.
The population at Khao Nor Chuchi has faced a severe decline since its rediscovery. From an estimated 44-45 pairs in 1986, the number dropped to just nine pairs by 1997. By the year 2000, only 10-15 pairs were thought to remain. The situation became so dire that by 2014, the species was considered functionally extinct in Thailand, with the last known individuals being a father and his two daughters. The IUCN Red List has categorized the Gurney's Pitta as Critically Endangered due to the rapid rate of habitat loss. While a larger population was discovered in Myanmar in 2003, that group is also under severe pressure from deforestation. The story of the Gurney's Pitta here is an example of how a species can be found and then lost again in just a few decades.
💡Fun Facts
The name "pitta" is derived from the Telugu word in India, which simply means "small bird".
Pittas are sometimes called "jewel-thrushes" because of their bright plumage.
Their diet consists mainly of earthworms, slugs, and insects foraged from the forest floor.
The Gurney's Pitta was once voted the "most wanted bird in Thailand" by visiting birdwatchers.
The park is generally open from dawn to dusk, but hours for specific trails like the Emerald Pool may vary.
Admission
An entrance fee is required to access the main trails, with different pricing for Thai nationals and foreign visitors (typically 200-400 Baht for foreigners).
Accessibility
The main trails to the Emerald Pool are well-maintained and include boardwalks. Birdwatching trails like the "U-Trail" and "B-Trail" are narrow, can be muddy, and require appropriate footwear. Seeing the pitta is extremely rare and not guaranteed.
Khao Nor Chuchi Gurney's Pitta Rediscovery SiteKrabi, Thailand
