The blue-headed racket-tail, also known as the Palawan racket-tail and locally as kinawihan, is a parrot found in the western Philippines around Palawan. The species was formerly considered conspecific with the blue-crowned racket-tail. It is locally known as 'kilit'. It inhabits humid lowland forest in small flocks. It is threatened by habitat destruction and limited trapping for the cage-bird trade.
Region
Western Philippines (Palawan Archipelago)
Typical Environment
Occupies humid lowland and foothill evergreen forest, including forest edges and secondary growth near clearings. It is most often seen in the canopy, moving between fruiting trees. Birds also visit agricultural edges and occasionally coconut plantations where fruit is available. It is largely absent where extensive logging has removed mature canopy trees needed for feeding and nesting.
Altitude Range
0–1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the Palawan racket-tail, this parrot is endemic to the Palawan archipelago of the Philippines. Its distinctive outer tail feathers have bare shafts ending in paddle-like tips (“rackets”). It typically gathers in small, noisy flocks and roosts communally. The species is threatened by lowland forest loss and limited trapping for the cage-bird trade.
A Blue-headed Racket-tail seen in Coron
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, direct flight between canopy gaps
Social Behavior
Usually encountered in pairs or small flocks, sometimes joining mixed feeding groups at fruiting trees. Nests in natural tree cavities, with pairs defending the immediate nest area. Communal roosting is common in tall forest trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, ringing screeches and chattering contact calls. In flight it gives rapid, high-pitched notes that carry over the canopy.
Plumage
Bright green body with a contrasting blue head; long outer tail feathers with bare shafts ending in spatulate ‘rackets’. Underparts yellowish-green with a clean, smooth texture. Flight feathers darker green with subtle bluish tones.
Diet
Feeds mainly on fruits and berries, including figs, as well as seeds and flower buds. It moves methodically through the canopy, often returning to favored fruiting trees. Occasional nectar feeding and visits to cultivated fruit crops occur when available.
Preferred Environment
Forages high in the forest canopy and along edges where fruiting trees are abundant. Will use secondary growth and agroforestry mosaics if mature fruiting trees persist.
