The Banded Pitta Pitta guajana is widely distributed over the Greater Sunda Islands and Thai-Malay Peninsula. Up to six races have been
described, but only three of them are distinct and were formerly considered different species: guajana from Java and Bali, schwaneri from
Borneo, and irena from Sumatra and Thai-Malay Peninsula. We here revisit the species status of these three forms with morphometric,
plumage and vocal data. We demonstrate pronounced differences in body part measurements and sex-specific coloration amongst all
three taxa. Our bioacoustic comparisons also indicate differences in frequency and timing of the two main types of vocalisation among
taxa, although further sampling needs to corroborate these findings. We further show that plumage differences—and probably also vocal
differences—among Banded Pitta taxa are more pronounced than between sister species in three other Pitta complexes. We argue that
the three Banded Pitta taxa should be classified as parapatric rather than allopatric, based on their frequent and ongoing contact during
glacials when sea-levels drop to create land connections across their Sundaic range. Based on comparisons with other parapatric Pitta
species, biological species status is recommended for the three Banded Pitta taxa. Ecological and habitat differences in the three Banded
Pittas probably evolved to reduce disadvantageous hybridisation during extensive glacial periods of contact.