Justification A combination of extensive lowland deforestation and exploitation for the cagebird trade have resulted in this species's rapid population reduction, which qualifies it as Vulnerable. It is predicted that these factors will continue to cause rapid declines in the near future.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author Blasius, 1888

Taxonomic source(s) Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 27 cm. Blue-and-green parrot with racquet-like tail extensions. Male has blue head grading into green breast. Rest of plumage bright green, darker on upperparts (especially wings) and yellowish on vent. Whitish-grey bill. Female similar though blue confined to crown and ear-coverts. Similar spp. Blue-naped Parrot Tanygnathus lucionensis is larger, lacks racquets and has red bill. Voice Raucous squawks interspersed with screeches and musical phrases. Hints Most often seen in rapid flight. Unobtrusive and difficult to see when perched.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

13,600 km²

Yes

Range & population Prioniturus platenae is endemic to Palawan and its satellite islands in the Philippines. It is known from c.20 sites on Palawan, but there are only records from St Paul's Subterranean National Park, Iwahig Penal Colony, Mt. Pita (2004), Mt. Ynantagung and Mt. Nagbakhaw (2004), El Nido, Palawan². Since 1980, there have been records from three (Calauit, Culion and Dumaran), of the seven satellite islands from which it was formerly known. It reportedly used to be relatively abundant but the recent paucity of records indicates that it has declined and become generally uncommon, although it still occurs regularly in small numbers at St Paul's.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: This poorly-known species inhabits lowland forest, forest edge and nearby cultivation, up to at least 300 m. On islands north of Palawan, it has been recorded in ultrabasic forest, bamboo scrublands, mangrove and in natural grassland with scattered trees.

Threats Forest destruction and trapping for the cage-bird trade are the chief threats. Deforestation in lowland Palawan has been extensive, and logging and mining concessions cover most of the island's remaining forested areas. Illegal logging persists in the south of the island. Forest at Iwahig penal colony may be threatened by plans to mine chromite, and habitat on the small island of Culion has been irreparably damaged. The re-release of birds confiscated from trade may expose wild populations to diseases acquired during captivity.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. The whole of Palawan is classed as a game reserve, where hunting is illegal, and the island was designated as a Biosphere Reserve in 1990. However, the legislation controlling habitat alteration and hunting is difficult to enforce effectively. It occurs in four protected areas: St Paul's Subterranean River National Park, which may soon be extended by 325 km², Rasa Island (where the species may benefit owing to a wardening scheme in place primarily for the conservation of Philippine Cockatoo), Omoi Cockatoo Reserve on Dumaran Island and Culasian Manged Resource Protected Area, Rizal, southern Palawan¹. Iwahig penal colony is managed by the Bureau of Prisons but lacks official protection and management.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct surveys in remaining lowland forests throughout its range, particularly around Mt Victoria and in the north (e.g. in the El Nido Reserve). Seek greater control of the cage-bird trade. Support the proposed extension of St Paul's Subterranean River National Park. Clamp down on illegal logging in the species's range. Ensure the environmental impacts of proposed mining operations are properly assessed and damage is mitigated for.

References Collar et al. (1999). 1. P. Widmann in litt. (2007). 2. B. Tabaranza in litt. (2007).

Further web sources of information

Fully detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001), together with new information collated since the publication of the Red Data Book

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Pete Davidson (BirdLife International), James Lowen (BirdLife International), Nic Peet (BirdLife International)

Contributors Blas Tabaranza, Peter Widmann

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Prioniturus platenae. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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