The plumage of the male is very brightly coloured, with a bright blue crown, black cheeks, white throat, chestnut red back, violet blue tail and belly, and black wings marked with white.

[4] The blue-headed pitta is believed to be a seasonal breeder, as birds in breeding condition have been found in the middle of the year (March to June) and a female that was about to lay was found in July.

The nest is typical of the family, a round dome of leaves with a side entrance near or on the ground.

[5] The species is endemic to the island of Borneo, where it occurs in Brunei, Kalimantan (Indonesia), Sarawak and Sabah (Malaysia).

[5] It is considered to be threatened by habitat loss, as the forest cover of Borneo is being lost at a rapid rate.