• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Near Threatened because it has a small population size numbering fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with a majority in a single subpopulation, and a declining population trend because of habitat loss and degradation, as well as hunting/trapping. It approaches thresholds for listing as threatened under Criterion C, and is therefore considered Near Threatened.

Population justification
Lambert et al. (1993) estimated a maximum of 10,000 individuals, although this was based on little quantified data. In extensive surveys throughout the range in 2009-2010, Española et al. (2013) recorded densities of 3.5 (1.2-10) and 0.4 (0.1-1.7) individuals/km² in the Cordillera and Sierra Madre mountains respectively. If these mean densities are applied to the extent of suitable habitat (per Jung et al. 2020: c. 4,900 km² in the Cordillera and c. 1,800 km² in the Sierra Madre), and 40-80% occupancy is assumed, then the species' population size is estimated to number 7,100-14,300. Not all of these birds will be mature/breeding, and so a total population size of c.4,000-12,000 mature individuals is accepted here, accounting for uncertainty over the ratio of mature individuals, and trends in the years since the Española et al. (2013) densities were estimated. By far the largest subpopulation is now in the Cordillera, which likely accounts for more than 90% of the global population.

Trend justification
No population data are available from which to precisely derive trends. Nonetheless, it is inferred 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); hunting may however be a more serious threat to this species. Over the past three generations (13.2 years: 2011-2024), forest cover loss in this species' geographic and elevational range decreased by c. 3-5% (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. Moreover, it is apparent that where hunting pressure is assumed to be high (e.g. in the Sierra Madre), recorded densities of this species are much lower than might reasonably be expected (Española et al. 2013). While the rate of decline is not known or calculated, it is inferred that in the absence of substantive action to ameliorate existing threats, that this species will continue to decline.

Prioniturus montanus is endemic to Luzon, Philippines, where it is almost entirely confined to montane forest regions (above c.700 m) in the Cordillera Central and the Sierra Madre.

Little is known of its ecological requirements: it occurs in humid montane forest from 700 m to 2,900 m (Allen 2020). It feeds on seeds, berries and nuts. Breeding occurs in August to September.

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.3-5% (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; locally opportunistic hunting is a likely threat, particularly in the Sierra Madre. As a montane species, climate change may affect it, although there is currently no evidence that direct or indirect effects on this species are occurring.

Conservation Actions Underway
Listed in CITES Appendix II and occurs in several protected areas.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue to use remote sensing data to quantify the extent and acuity of forest loss and degradation.  Effectively protect significant areas of suitable forest at key sites, in both strictly protected areas and community led multiple use areas.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Montane Racquet-tail Prioniturus montanus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/montane-racquet-tail-prioniturus-montanus on 23/12/2024.
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 23/12/2024.