The Mangrove Pitta was first described by German ornithologist Hermann Schlegel in 1863.[2] Its species name is derived from the Ancient Greek words mega- "large", and rhynchos "beak". It forms a superspecies with the Indian Pitta (P. brachyura), Fairy Pitta (P. nympha) and Blue-winged Pitta (P. moluccensis). Alternate common names include: Larger Blue-winged/Malay Pitta, Brève des palétuviers (in French), Große Blauflügelpitta (in German), and Pita de Manglar (in Spanish)