Biology
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Very little is known about the biology of this forest-dwelling parrot. Parrots typically have narrow and pointed wings, which enables them to fly with speed and agility through the forest as they search for food (5). This species is known to feed on fruit, particularly bananas, as well as rice and the flowers and seeds of growing corn (2).
The little information available regarding breeding in the green racquet-tail suggests that the main breeding season may fall in April and May; a female collected in April contained an egg almost ready for laying, and a young individual has been seen in May (6).
Conservation
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The largest remaining population of green racquet-tails is found within Subic Bay Naval Forest Reserve (2), although, as mentioned above, this does not entirely protect the parrot's forest habitat (6). It also occurs in Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and, in the past, Quezon National Park, although a lack of recent records suggest that it may now be extinct in this area (4). To mitigate the threats of capture for the bird trade, the export of any wild animals and plants from the Philippines is prohibited (7), and this species is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning that any international trade in the green racquet-tail should be carefully monitored (3). Despite these measures, this bird remains vulnerable to extinction and further measures, such as the protection of other key populations and improved efforts to prevent illegal logging, have been recommended (4).
Description
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A member of the colourful and charismatic parrot family, the green racquet-tail is not as strikingly bright as many other parrot species, but is an attractive bird nevertheless. It has mostly yellowish-green plumage, which is brightest on the head and breast and slightly darker on the wings and tail (2) (4). Two of the feathers in the tail are elongated and end in broad, flattened, blackish tips. These 'racquet-shaped' feathers, after which this bird was named, protrude far from the rest of the tail feathers that are tipped with dark blue (2). The strongly hooked bill is pale greyish (2) (5), and may sometimes be used, along with its strongly gripping feet, when climbing trees (5). Female green racquet-tails are more uniformly green than males, while juveniles can easily be distinguished by the lack of any elongated racquet-shaped feathers (2). The green racquet-tail calls with a rather harsh squawk, intermixed with screeches and more tuneful notes (4).
Habitat
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The green racquet-tail mainly inhabits primary forest (2), where it has been recorded from 300 metres above sea level up to over 1,000 metres (4). Occasionally it may be seen out in open cultivated areas, where it searches for food (2), and has also been recorded from selectively logged and degraded forest (2).
Range
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Once known to be widespread and abundant on the islands of Luzon and Marinduque in the northern Philippines (2) (4), the range and numbers of the green racquet-tail have since declined significantly (4). Today, this rare parrot appears to be restricted to the Sierra Madre Mountains on Luzon, and it may be extinct on the island of Marinduque (4).
Status
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Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1) and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).
Threats
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The green racquet-tail is another victim of the ubiquitous threat of habitat loss, compounded by the impacts of trapping for the cagebird trade (2) (7). Numerous forest-dwelling species are threatened in the Philippines as habitat has been devastated by extensive commercial logging (8). Forest cover in the Sierra Madre mountains, the stronghold of this species, has declined by 83 percent since the 1930s (4). Most of the remaining patches of forest are under logging concession, or may be impacted by plans to build major roads (4). Even within protected areas the green racquet-tail is not safe from the detrimental impacts of human activities; a new road development near Subic Bay Naval Forest Reserve in Luzon has resulted in an increase in illegal logging in the region (4).
Green racket-tail
provided by wikipedia EN
The green racket-tail (Prioniturus luconensis) is an endemic parrot of the Philippines where it is found on Luzon and Marinduque.[2][3] This species was once common,[3] but is rapidly declining and is currently classified as endangered due to lowland deforestation and capture for cage-bird trade.[1] The population is now estimated to be just 1,000 - 2,499 mature individuals and is continuing to decline with many local extinctions in its former range.
Description
Juvenile Green Racket-tail
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.[4]
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. Total length is about 29 centimeters.[2][3]
Like all other Racket-tails, they are cavity nesters.[5]
Habitat and conservation status
Green racket-tails can be found in the canopy of tropical lowland rainforests in elevations of up to 700 meters where it mainly prefers primary forest but is also seen in secondary forest and forest. They have also been recorded visiting cultivations to feed on crops.
It is listed as Endangered with the population being estimated at 1,000 - 2,499 individuals remaining. It has gone locally extinct in many of its former sites and is feared extinct on Marinduque. Its main threat is trapping for the cage-bird trade. Local extinctions as a direct result of forest loss are very likely. In 1988, forest cover was just 3% on Marinduque and 24% on Luzon with the remaining forest continuing to be threatened by both legal and illegal logging. mining, road construction, slash-and-burn or kaingin.
In its stronghold in Subic has experienced increased illegal logging and deforestation continues in Maria Aurora Memorial Natural Park. Interspecific competition is also a threat as they have been replaced by the commoner Blue-crowned racket-tail in Quezon National Forest Park.
It is currently known from two protected areas Bataan National Park and the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park. It receives nominal protection in the Maria Aurora Memorial Natural Park. However, like most areas in the Philippines protection and enforcement is lax and deforestation and the cage-bird trade continue.
Conservation actions proposed include surveys to identify further sites supporting key populations, with a view to formally establishing them as protected areas. Research its ecology and year-round requirements, to improve understanding of its management needs. Examine trends in Racket-tail species at all sites to monitor the spread of the apparently invasive Blue-crowned racket-tail. Improve protection measures against logging at Subic Bay Forest Reserve. Clamp down on illegal logging within the species's range, and ensure that environmental impact assessments are carried out before any new logging concessions are granted. Establish a captive breeding population to support future reintroduction and supplementation efforts. Lobby against proposed developments that threaten suitable habitat.
References
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Green racket-tail: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
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 1,000 - 2,499 mature individuals and is continuing to decline with many local extinctions in its former range.
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