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Once Considered Endangered, How... Identity of the 'Forest Fairy' Found in the City Center

Go Hui-gyeong

Published : Oct 20, 2026 7:37 AM

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A rare visitor has been spotted at a downtown park in Ulsan.

On September 9, a fairy pitta searching for food near the walking trail at the south gate of Ulsan Grand Park was captured on a citizen's camera.

Two days later, another fairy pitta was discovered near the summit area of Hakseong Park in Jung-gu, Ulsan.

This marks the first time that fairy pittas have been photographically recorded in a downtown park in Ulsan.

True to its name, the fairy pitta features feathers of various colors, including a reddish-brown head, green-blue back, and red belly. Because its English name includes "fairy," it is often called the "forest fairy."

Fairy pittas typically live in dense and humid forests, and thus in Ulsan, they have mostly been observed in outer mountainous areas such as Mount Sinbulsan and Mount Gajisan.

Experts noted that while it is a welcome event for an endangered bird species to be observed in a downtown park visited by citizens, meticulous protection measures are necessary due to significant risks such as collisions with building glass windows.

(Photo provided by Ulsan Metropolitan City)