Buru Racquet-tail
Prioniturus mada
A mostly green parrot restricted to Buru that has rackets extending beyond its square-shaped tail. Also note the silvery-gray bill, purple rear crown in males, and yellow base of undertail. Juveniles lack rackets. Pairs and small groups inhabit montane forest, sometimes roaming to cultivated areas. The only parrot on the island with tail rackets. When rackets cannot be seen, the green head, silvery bill, and yellow vent separate it from all other local parrots. Gives loud screeches and repeated ear-splitting “weep” notes.
Identification
The Buru racket-tail is a mainly green parrot about 32 cm (13 in) long. The beak is blackish and lighter at the base, and the long undertail-coverts are yellow. The adult male has blue upper-parts from the back of its head to mid-back and which extends into the upper surfaces of the forewings. The female has a small area of blue on the nape. Juveniles do not have racket-shaped tail feathers. The male juvenile has a little blue on the nape and the female juvenile has all-green upper-parts.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Prioniturus mada
- Authority
- Hartert, EJO, 1900
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittaculidae
- Genus
- Prioniturus
Range and habitat
Prioniturus mada is usually found in elevations up to approximately 1600 meters where it is found in many different types of forest habitat. It is commonly seen in both old-growth forest and taller secondary forest. It is also usually found in the remaining trees of cultivated areas such as in farms and small villages.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Buru racket-tail is usually found in flocks of up to 10 birds. They are seasonally nomadic birds that travel to where fruiting trees are blooming in the mountains. The diet of Prioniturus mada mainly consists of wild fruits, seeds, berries, and flowers. Females usually lay a clutch of up to five eggs. The known breeding season for the Buru racket-tail is from December–February.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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