Buru Racket-tail

Mada - Spatelschwanzpapagei ( Prioniturus mada )

The Mada - Spatelschwanzpapagei, Madapapagei or Buru Spatelschwanzpapagei ( Prioniturus mada ) is a species of bird in the genus Spatelschwanzpapageien. The species is endemic to the Moluccas island of Buru in Indonesia.

In captivity, these birds are rarely seen and difficult to maintain, since they are extremely susceptible to stress. Three copies are kept in the Walsrode Bird Park. This type has never been held up to that time outside their home.

Features

The animals are in the basic color with blue -violet neck, which is colored green less pronounced in female animals. Their size is about 30 centimeters. The typical genus and eponymous feature are the two elongated middle tail feathers, which end in a diamond-shaped " spatula ".

Way of life

The Mada - Spatelschwanzpapagei leads, rather untypical for parrots, a quiet life in the canopy of the rain forests at altitudes of 1500 meters. They live singly in pairs or small groups of up to 10 animals. Their diet consists of fruits, flowers, berries and seeds. The breeding season is from December to February, the nests are laid in hollow branches or tree holes. Up to five young are reared per brood.