Biology:Bismarck monarch

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Short description: Species of bird

Bismarck monarch
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Monarchidae
Genus: Symposiachrus
Species:
S. verticalis
Binomial name
Symposiachrus verticalis
(P. L. Sclater, 1877)
  Symposiachrus verticalis verticalis
  Symposiachrus verticalis ateralbus
Synonyms
  • Monarcha verticalis
  • Symposiarchus verticalis

The Bismarck monarch (Symposiachrus verticalis), formerly known as the black-tailed monarch, is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. It is endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.[2]

Taxonomy and systematics

This species was originally placed in the genus Monarcha until moved to Symposiachrus in 2009.[3][4]

Two subspecies are recognized-

  • Black-tailed monarch, Symposiachrus verticalis verticalis Sclater, 1877- Bismarck Archipelago
  • Djaul monarch, Symposiachrus verticalis ateralbus Salomonsen, 1964- Djaul Island

The Djaul monarch was earlier considered a full species but is now considered a subspecies based on plumage, vocal and genetic evidence.[5][6]

Description

This species is a pied bird with a white face and black throat. The male has a black crown with a band of white and a black tail and upperparts. The legs are dark grey or blackish and the bill is grey in colour.[7]

The male and female are similar, except that the female has a grey back and rump. The juvenile has a pale grey forehead and face.[7]

The subspecies ateralbus is larger than the nominate and has extensive white on the outer tail feathers.[7]

Voice

The song is a descending series of thin fine whistles.[7]

Breeding

It usually breeds from August to January. The nest is cup-shaped, made of plant fibers and lichens and joined together with spider webs placed at a height of 1.5 meters. The clutch is usually 2 eggs, which are pale pinkish with black spots and are approximately 24 x 17 millimeters.[7]

Habitats and habits

It is usually found in semi-evergreen forests and bamboo thickets at an elevation of 1300 meters.[7]

It is usually solitary and sometimes occurs in mixed-species flocks in pursuit of its insect prey.[7]

References

Template:Monarchidae Wikidata ☰ Q1923310 entry