The elegant pitta was described and illustrated by the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck in 1836 from a specimen collected on the island of Timor.

It is reported as also being found in East Timor by some authors,[1] but the species has only been recorded on the western half of the island, in spite of suitable habitat.

P. e. virginalis is found on Tanahjampea, Kalao and Kalaotoa, to the south of Sulawesi[4] The elegant pitta is 19 cm (7.5 in) long and weighs 47–77 g (1.7–2.7 oz).

It has a black head, throat, chin and neck with a buff crown stripe.

The upperparts are dark green, as are most of the wings, which also have a bright turquoise patch on the lesser coverts.