It is one of only two Pitta species in Africa, and is found in deep forest of the tropics.

The plumage is very similar to that of the African pitta,[2] but the breast is green and the throat is bordered by a black line.

Immatures have duller, darker plumage, and a brownish olive breast.

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.

In Uganda however, it occurs at altitudes between 1,000 and 1,400 metres (3,300 and 4,600 ft).