Golden-mantled racket-tail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Golden-mantled racket-tail |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Prioniturus
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| Species: |
platurus
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The golden-mantled racket-tail (Prioniturus platurus) is a super cool type of parrot! It's known for its unique tail feathers that look like little rackets. This bird lives only in Indonesia, which means it's endemic there. You can find it in warm, wet forests, from lowlands to mountains as high as 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) (about 9,800 feet).
Contents
Where Do Golden-Mantled Racket-Tails Live?
There are three main types, or subspecies, of the golden-mantled racket-tail. Each type lives in slightly different places within Indonesia.
- The most common type, P. p. platurus, lives on Sulawesi and several nearby islands like Togian and Banggai.
- Another type, P. p. talautensis, is found in the Talaud Islands.
- The third type, P. p. sinerubris, lives on Taliabu and Mangole in the Sula Islands.
You might even spot these birds in places like the Gunung Ambang Nature Reserve on Sulawesi!
What Does a Golden-Mantled Racket-Tail Look Like?
These parrots are quite striking!
Size and Weight
Adult golden-mantled racket-tails are about 28 cm (11 in) (11 inches) long. They weigh around 220 g (8 oz) (about half a pound).
Colors and Features
- Males: They are mostly green. They have a pretty rose-red spot above their eye, surrounded by a grey patch. An orange collar crosses their neck and back. Their belly is a pale green. The top of their wings are grey, and the flight feathers are greenish-blue with yellow edges.
- Tail Feathers: The most special part is their tail! The two central tail feathers are long and bare, with black, blue-tipped "rackets" at the end. Other tail feathers are green with a black band.
- Females: They look similar to males but don't have the red spot or the orange collar. Their upper wings are greener, and their tails are shorter.
- Young Birds: Baby racket-tails look like females but don't have the bare "racket" shafts on their tail feathers yet.
- Other Features: Both males and females have a grey beak and dark brown eyes.
Sounds and Calls
Golden-mantled racket-tails make a variety of sounds. Their calls often include whistling notes that blend together into a musical sound. They can also make harsh, guttural noises.
Behavior and Life Cycle
These parrots are social birds and often fly around in small groups.
What Do They Eat?
Their diet mainly consists of seeds and fruits they find in the forest. Sometimes, they even visit mango farms to enjoy a fruity snack!
Reproduction
Golden-mantled racket-tails usually breed in October. They make their nests inside holes in trees, which keeps their eggs and chicks safe.
Conservation Status
The golden-mantled racket-tail lives across a wide area and is quite common in many parts of its home range. Because of this, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has classified this bird as being of "least concern". This means that, for now, they are not considered to be in danger of disappearing.
