Blue-headed Racquet-tail 27 cm. Pale greyish-yellow bill; entire head and nape light blue extending onto the breast, becoming greener on lower breast and belly and yellow on vent; upperparts dull green; spatulas dark green.
Female Blue-headed Racquet-tail has blue confined to crown and sides of the head. Immature similar, with no spatules.
Prioniturus platenae Scientific name definitions
- VU Vulnerable
- Names (14)
- Monotypic
Systematics History
A recent phylogenetic study indicates that this parrot is part of a clade that contains also P. waterstradti, P. montanus and P. mindorensis. Previously treated as a race of P. discurus, but treatment as species recently reinforced. Monotypic.
Subspecies
Monotypic.
Distribution
Palawan and associated islands, from Calauit and Busuanga to Balabac (SW Philippines).
Habitat
Lowland forest and edges, and adjacent cultivations, apparently in the lowlands to around 300 m.
Diet and Foraging
No observations; Blue-headed Racquet-tail nuts in stomachs of specimens.
Sounds and Vocal Behavior
When perched, utters several short squeaky or nasal screeches, the latter sometimes also more drawn-out.
Breeding
Blue-headed Racquet-tail labeled juvenile have been collected in Jan (two) and Aug, and one labelled immature in May.
Conservation Status
Conservation status on BirdlifeVU Vulnerable
VULNERABLE. CITES II. The paucity of recent records of the Blue-headed Racquet-tail indicates that it is now generally uncommon and declining, although it is regularly recorded in St Paul’s Subterranean National Park.
