BLUE-HEADED RACQUET-TAIL
Prioniturus platenae
Family Psittacidae

L 235 mm (9") racquet length 35-80 mm
uncommon, endemic


Bird # 365 - September 2012

This bird can be identified by its racquet-tail, pale blue head, and white bill.

This was one of our target birds when we went to the mangrove for the boat tour. According to our guides, this doesn't usually perch out in the open with its racquets so visible. We thought we missed our chance to see this bird when the group in the first boat had views of a group of racquet-tails that flew away before our boatman was able to maneuver our small banca into place. We were worried he might have scared away any remaining birds with his loud paddling. Good thing this one bird decided to stay perched on top of a mangrove tree long enough for us to paddle into a good viewing spot!

We saw it again in 2013, this time we didn't have to take the mangrove boat tour.