Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Near Threatened because there are some indications that it has a small population within a small range, which is undergoing some decline owing to habitat loss.
Population justification
Estimated in 1993 to number c.5,000 individuals (Lambert et al. 1993), not all of which will have referred to mature individuals. Although there is no more up to date estimate, declines are only suspected to have been relatively slow in the past three decades such that there are probably still 4,000-5,000 birds. Accordingly, the number of birds is set to 4,000-5,000, of which c. 3,000-4,500 are thought to be mature. Assuming the species is equally distributed across areas of suitable habitat, the largest subpopulation probably numbers c. 1,001-2,000, in the Katanglad/Kalatungan Mountain range.
Trend justification
There are no direct data available from which to determine population trends for this species. Nonetheless, it is suspected to be declining chiefly due to habitat loss and degradation, and perhaps very locally trapping for the pet-trade (although Prioniturus racquet-tails are notoriously difficult to keep in captivity). Over the past three generations (13.2 years: 2011-2024), forest cover loss in this species' geographic and elevational range decreased by c.3% (Global Forest Watch 2024, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods therein), although this does not account for additive impacts of selective logging and the removal of hollow-bearing trees on which this species depends for nesting. In the absence of detailed information on the extent of forest modification, a rate of decline is therefore not estimated, but that the species is declining is strongly suspected.
Prioniturus waterstradti is endemic to Mindanao, Philippines, where it is known from nine montane localities (Dickinson et al. 1991, Collar et al. 1999, Allen 2020, eBird 2024).
It inhabits humid montane forest at 820-2,700 m, but it has been recorded as low as 450 m. It occurs in groups of 2-10 individuals and apparently undertakes daily altitudinal migrations. The nest is built 5-7 m above the ground.
The main threat to this species is forest loss. Over the past three generations (13.2 years: 2011-2024), forest cover loss in this species' geographic and elevational range decreased by c.3% (Global Forest Watch 2024, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods therein), although this does not account for additive impacts of selective logging and the removal of hollow-bearing trees on which this species depends for nesting. Its preference for montane forests, however, safeguards it from the more rapid reductions in forest extent and integrity in the Philippine lowlands. Trapping may be a threat to this species, although Prioniturus only infrequently turn up in trade and appear not to do well in captivity. As a montane species, climate change may affect it, although there is currently no evidence that direct or indirect affects on this species are occurring.
Conservation Actions Underway
Listed in CITES Appendix II and occurs in several protected areas.
Text account compilers
Bird, J., Benstead, P., Taylor, J., Khwaja, N., Berryman, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Mindanao Racquet-tail Prioniturus waterstradti. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/mindanao-racquet-tail-prioniturus-waterstradti on 22/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/11/2024.