Blue-crowned Racquet-tail

Taxobox
status = LR/nt | status_system = IUCN2.3
name = Blue-crowned Racquet-tail

---

caption = need picture
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Psittaciformes
familia = Psittacidae
genus = "Prioniturus"
species = "P. discurus"
binomial = "Prioniturus discurus"
binomial_authority = (Vieillot, 1818)

The Blue-headed Racquet-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 27cm, basically green with a blue crown, bluish undertail, whitish beak, and dark underwings with green coverts. There are three or four subspecies:

* 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.

Note: Blue-headed Racquet-tail, P. "platenae", was formerly considered conspecific.

References

* Juniper & Parr (1998) "Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World"; ISBN 0-300-07453-0.

External links

* [http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=539&Bird_Image_ID=10455 Bird Images]