A striking forest parrot from the Philippines, famous for its elegant, oversized tail “rackets” that look like decorative paddles trailing behind it in flight. Most of the bird is a vivid leaf-green, a perfect match for tropical canopy foliage, but the tail makes it instantly distinctive: the central tail feathers extend into long shafts with broad, spoon-shaped tips, like two little green oars. It also has a red bill that pops against the green face and a neat, alert expression that suits its lively personality.

What truly distinguishes the green racket-tail from other Philippine parrots is that dramatic tail design. Many parrots have long tails, but very few have tails that end in actual “rackets.” Those spoon-like tips are not just a cute quirk—they help make the bird’s silhouette memorable even when the body blends into leaves. Compared with other racket-tail parrots, the green racket-tail’s overall coloration is typically cleaner and more uniformly green, with fewer extra color patches, giving the impression of a sleek, minimalist bird that saves all the drama for the tail. The long tail also affects how it flies: it can look slightly more sweeping and ribbon-like in motion, especially when the bird turns, and the rackets swing like pendulums.

Like many parrots, it uses its bill like a tool—gripping branches, manipulating food, and even helping it climb. It tends to be more active in the morning and late afternoon, when the forest is cooler, and feeding is at its best. When a group finds a productive fruiting tree, it may linger, chattering and shifting position as it feeds, then move on in a burst of wingbeats to the next patch of food. Although it can be noisy, it can also be surprisingly hard to spot: the green body disappears among leaves, and you may only notice the bird when sunlight catches the tail rackets or when a red bill flashes through the canopy.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Philippines

<2,500

Official estimate

EN

2024