The montane racket-tail (Prioniturus montanus), also known as the Luzon racket-tail, is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It was previously considered conspecific with the Mindanao racket-tail. This bird is endemic to the mountainous regions of northern Luzon, Philippines. It faces threats from habitat loss and the cage bird trade.
| Montane racket-tail | |
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| A 1984 Philippine stamp featuring this species | |
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| A flock of Montane racket-tails in flight in fog | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Family: | Psittaculidae |
| Genus: | Prioniturus |
| Species: | P. montanus
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| Binomial name | |
| Prioniturus montanus Ogilvie-Grant, 1895
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Under Philippine Law RA 9147, it is illegal to hunt, capture, or possess this species..[2]
Description and taxonomy
editEBird describes the montane racket-tail as "A medium-sized parrot of montane forest on Luzon. The two central tail feathers have extended shafts ending in a racket shape. Overall green in color, darker on the back and paler below. Male has a blue face and a red crown. The similar Green racket-tail may overlap geographically, but Luzon is usually found at higher elevations and has a darker back. Voice includes various grating calls and shrill squeals."[3]
The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males having a bluish crown and a bright red spot, while females have a green head with a very light blue tinge.[3]
Ecology and behavior
editIt feeds on berries, seeds, and nuts.[4] Breeding takes place from August to September.[1] Like all other racket-tails, they are cavity nesters.
Habitat and conservation status
editIt inhabits tropical moist montane forests at elevations of 700–2,900 meters above sea level and is known to visit cultivated areas.[3]
The IUCN has assessed this bird as near threatened, with its population estimated at 1,500 to 7,000 mature individuals. Forest loss is a threat, though it is not considered to have as significant an impact within this species' altitudinal range compared to lowland forests. Its lowland counterpart, the Green racket-tail, is much more threatened, being listed as endangered with many local extinctions. While many parrots in the region are affected by trapping for trade, the impact on this species is not well known.[1]
References
edit
- ^ a b c BirdLife International (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Prioniturus montanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22684954A121708663. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ 11th Congress. "Republic Act No. 9147". Official Gazette of the Philippines.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c Allen, Desmond (2020). Birds of the Philippines. Barcelona: Lynx and Birdlife International Field Guides. pp. 226–229.
- ^ Montane Racquet-tail (Prioniturus montanus) - BirdLife species factsheet
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