Feb 26

Bird of the day

Green racket-tail

Prioniturus luconensis

The green racket-tail (Prioniturus luconensis) is an endemic parrot of the Philippines where it is found on Luzon and Marinduque. This species was once common, but is rapidly declining and is currently classified as endangered due to lowland deforestation and capture for cage-bird trade. The population is now estimated to be just 300 - 800 mature individuals and is continuing to decline with many local extinctions in its former range.

It is illegal to hunt, capture, or keep Green racket-tails and any other wild bird in the Philippines under Philippine Law RA 9147.

Ebird describes this bird as "A rare medium-sized parrot of lowland and foothill forest on Luzon. The two central tail feathers have extended shafts ending in a racket shape. Overall green in color, slightly darker on the back, with paler head and underparts and a pale bill. Male is more yellowish-green in color. Overlaps geographically with the Luzon racket-tail, but Green is found at lower elevations and lacks the brownish back. Also overlaps with Blue-naped parrot, but has a pale rather than red bill. Voice consists of ringing metallic squawks.

They are sexually dimorphic. Males are entirely yellow-green, with paler underparts and head. The two central tail feathers are elongated with bare shafts and terminated with black rackets. Females are generally darker and less yellowish, while the bare tail shafts are shorter. Juveniles do not have rackets at the tail. It is the smallest of all the racquet-tails with a total length of about 29 centimeters.

This species is monotypic.

Aliases

Prioniturus luconensis, Green Racquet-tail

Data retrieved on October 15, 2025 at 5:38 AM