Blue-crowned Racquet-tailed Parrot |
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Also known as: Blue-crowned Racquet-tail
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The racquet-tailed parrots are the only parrots with tail feathers ending in spatules or "racquets".Academic Research
Related publications: Prioniturus discurusSpecies Profile
Genus: Prioniturus | Species: discurus
Size:
27cm (10.5 in)
Weight:
140-160g (4.9-5.6 oz)
Subspecies including nominate:
three: P.d. discurus, P.d. whiteheadi, P.d. mindorensis
Colour Adult:
In general, green body, bright emerald green on face.
P.d. discurus: Both adults-crown to nape deep blue; centre tail feathers green, “racquets” black tinged with blue, outside tail feathers blue edged with green and tipped with black. Bill blue/grey.
P.d. whiteheadi: Both adults-less blue on crown, blending into green on rest of head.
P.d. mindorensis: Both adults-forecrown green, with no blue; back of crown and nape dark lilac/blue.
Colour Juvenile:
P.d. discurus: As in adult but with little or no blue on crown; no long tail shafts.
Call:
Harsh and rasping screeches; also squeaky notes similar to other Prioniturus spp.
More Information:
Content Sources:
CITES
BirdLife International
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Birds of the World
Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1977, 1989. 2010 edition
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.
Parrots: Their Care and Breeding, Low, 1986.
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
The racquet-tailed parrots are the only parrots with tail feathers ending in spatules or "racquets".Academic Research
Related publications: Prioniturus discurusSpecies Care
Captive Status:
Not found in captivity.
Longevity:
Not recorded.
Housing:
Not recorded.
Diet:
Captive birds in Britain are reported to have taken wholemeal bread, pips from fruit, pears especially; small seed, boiled maize, peanuts, apple, banana, pear, orange, cherries and carrot; also vitamin/protein/mineral supplements.
Enrichment:
Not recorded.
Nest Box Size:
Not recorded.
Clutch Size:
Not recorded.
Incubation Time:
Not recorded.
Fledging Age:
Not recorded.
Hatch Weight:
Not recorded.
Peak Weight:
Not recorded.
Weaning Weight:
Not recorded.
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
The racquet-tailed parrots are the only parrots with tail feathers ending in spatules or "racquets".Academic Research
Related publications: Prioniturus discurusSpecies Wild Status
World Population:
Unknown, stable.
IUCN Red List Status:
Least Concern
CITES Listing:
Appendix II
Threat Summary:
Not globally threatened. Population thought to be stable but remains unknown. Trapping for bird trade could become a concern.
Range:
P.d. discurus: Jolo in Sulu Archipelago, and Balut, Mindanao, Olutanga, and Basilan, S Philippine Islands.
P.d. whiteheadi: S Luzon, Catanduanes, Tablas, Ticao, Sibuyan, Masbate, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Guimaras and Negros, in the N to C Philippine Islands.
P.d. mindorensis: Mindoro, N Philippine Islands.
Habitat:
Found in primary and tall secondary growth, forest margins and remnant trees in cultivated areas. Up to 1750m (5740 ft).
Wild Diet:
Not well known, but includes bananas and possibly Ficus and Sibuyan foodstuffs.
Ecology and Behaviour:
Seen in small noisy groups of five to a dozen birds outside the breeding season. Groups converge to feed in fruiting trees. Resident, but disperses after breeding season.
Clutch and Egg Size:
Rounded eggs, 31.5 x 26mm (1.2 x 1.0 in)
Breeding Season:
April-May in Negros; May in Leyte; April in Mindanao. Nesting is thought to be colonial in large trees, in limb or trunk hollows.
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
The racquet-tailed parrots are the only parrots with tail feathers ending in spatules or "racquets".Academic Research
Related publications: Prioniturus discurusMembers Only Resources
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