The velvet asity (Philepitta castanea) is a species of bird in the family Philepittidae.

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests .

Male P. castanea have yellow tips to its feathers when newly molted, but these wear off, leaving the bird all black; at the same time, a green wattle grows above the eye.

[2] Velvet asities eat berries and other fruit in undergrowth, including gastonia duplicata.

[3] They build hanging nests with a little roof over the entrance.