Rainbow Pitta

Pitta iris
 
A sure contender for Darwin’s most iconic bird, the rainbow pitta is near the top of every visiting birder's list and remains so for many locals too. This colourful species can be glimpsed – with a smattering of luck and a great deal of patience – in many of the remnant patches of monsoon forest around the suburbs. Capturing close up views like this requires many early mornings laying in bushes and collecting insect bites.