Blue-crowned Racquet-tail
Encyclopedia
The Blue-crowned Racket-tail, Prioniturus discurus is a parrot
found on all the larger islands of the Philippines
not starting with "P" (i.e., not Palawan or Panay). It is 27 cm, basically green with a blue crown, bluish undertail, whitish beak, and dark underwings with green coverts. The Blue-headed Racket-tail (P. platenae) was formerly included in this species.
There are three or four subspecies:
It inhabits humid forests, mangroves, and cultivated areas up to 1750m. Small flocks of 5-12, but more gather at fruit trees. Eats fruit, berries, nuts and seeds. Widespread but threatened by habitat destruction and trapping.
Parrot
Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae , the Cacatuidae and the Strigopidae...
found on all the larger islands of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
not starting with "P" (i.e., not Palawan or Panay). It is 27 cm, basically green with a blue crown, bluish undertail, whitish beak, and dark underwings with green coverts. The Blue-headed Racket-tail (P. platenae) was formerly included in this species.
Taxonomy
- P. d. discurus: Jolo, Mindanao, Olutanga, Basiilan, Guimara, Luzon.
- P. d. whiteheadi: Negros, Bohol, Samar, Leyte, Masbate, Cebu. Less blue on crown.
- P. d. nesophilus: Tablas, Sibuyan, Catanduanes. Still less blue. May be part of P.d. whiteheadi.
- P. d. mindorensis: Mindoro. Green forehead, hindcrown shades to violet.
It inhabits humid forests, mangroves, and cultivated areas up to 1750m. Small flocks of 5-12, but more gather at fruit trees. Eats fruit, berries, nuts and seeds. Widespread but threatened by habitat destruction and trapping.
External links
- Oriental Bird Images: Blue-crowned Racquet-tail Selected photos