Blue-crowned racket-tail

The blue-crowned racket-tail (Prioniturus discurus) is a parrot found on all the larger islands of the Philippines except Palawan and Panay islands. It is 27 cm, basically green with a blue crown, bluish undertail, whitish beak, and dark underwings with green coverts. The blue-headed racket-tail (P. platenae) was formerly included in this species.

Taxonomy
There are three subspecies:


 * P. d. discurus: Jolo, Mindanao, Olutanga, Basilan, Guimaras, Luzon.
 * P. d. whiteheadi: Negros, Bohol, Samar, Leyte, Masbate, Cebu. Less blue on crown.
 * P. d. nesophilus: Tablas, Sibuyan, Catanduanes. Still less blue. May be part of P.d. whiteheadi.

It inhabits humid forests, mangroves, and cultivated areas up to 1750m. Small flocks of 5-12, but more gather at fruit trees. Eats fruit, berries, nuts and seeds. Widespread but threatened by habitat destruction and trapping for the cage-bird trade.