Prioniturus platurus
The Golden-mantled Racket-tail (*Prioniturus platurus*) is a striking medium-sized parrot endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and its surrounding satellite islands. Measuring approximately 28 cm (11 inches) in length, including its unique tail, this species is predominantly emerald green. Its most distinctive feature, lending it its common name, is the pair of elongated central tail feathers that terminate in bare shafts tipped with spoon-shaped "rackets." Adult males typically exhib...
Primarily inhabits lowland and montane rainforests, including secondary growth and forest edges, often found from sea level up to elevations of about 2,000 meters.
Feeds predominantly on a variety of fruits, seeds, and nuts, supplemented with flowers, buds, and occasionally insects. They primarily forage arboreally in the forest canopy.
Golden-mantled Racket-tails are diurnal and highly social birds, often observed in small to large, noisy flocks outside the breeding season, congregating at communal roosts in tall forest trees. They are arboreal foragers, employing acrobatic techniques such as hanging upside down to pluck fruits...
The Golden-mantled Racket-tail is strictly endemic to the Sulawesi faunal region of Indonesia. Its primary distribution encompasses the entire main island of Sulawesi, where it is widespread in suitable forest habitats. Beyond the mainland, it is also found on numerous surrounding satellite islan...
Least Concern
- The "rackets" on their tail are not present at birth; juveniles grow them after their first molt, transforming plain central tail feathers into their iconic shape. - The unique structure of the racket-tail is formed by the selective loss of barbs along the central shaft, leaving only a tuft at ...