Prioniturus mindorensis
The Mindoro Racket-tail (*Prioniturus mindorensis*) is a striking and critically endangered parrot, endemic to the island of Mindoro in the Philippines. This medium-sized parrot typically measures around 30 cm in length, including its distinctive tail rackets. Its plumage is predominantly vivid green, with a bright blue crown and a variable blue wash on the cheeks and nape; males are further distinguished by a small, diagnostic red patch on the nape. A defining field mark is the elongated cen...
Found exclusively in primary and mature secondary moist lowland and montane forests, as well as forest edges, typically at elevations ranging from sea level up to 1670 meters.
Primarily frugivorous and granivorous, feeding on a diverse array of fruits, seeds, nuts, and occasionally flowers or nectar, foraged directly from tree canopies.
Mindoro Racket-tails are diurnal and generally observed in pairs or small family groups, though they may gather in larger, loose flocks when foraging at abundant fruit sources. They are arboreal, spending most of their time in the canopy. Foraging involves acrobatic movements through tree branche...
The Mindoro Racket-tail is strictly endemic to Mindoro Island in the Philippines, where it is a resident, non-migratory species. Its distribution is highly fragmented across the island, largely restricted to the remaining patches of primary and mature secondary forest. Historically, it was likely...
Critically Endangered
- The Mindoro Racket-tail's most distinctive feature, the 'racket' on its central tail feathers, is actually a bare shaft that ends in a paddle-shaped tip, giving it a unique silhouette in flight. - This parrot is endemic to a single island, Mindoro in the Philippines, making it an irreplaceable ...