The members of the genus are found mostly in South-east Asia, with one species, the Papuan pitta, ranging into northeast Australia.

[1] The genus Erythropitta had been introduced in 1854 by the French naturalist Charles Lucien Bonaparte.

[2] The type species was subsequently designated as the Papuan pitta (Erythropitta macklotii).

[3] The name Erythropitta combines the Ancient Greek word eruthros "red" with the genus name Pitta.

[4] Pittas in this genus have red or crimson coloured underparts, greenish or blueish backs and short tails.