Malaita Monarch
Symposiachrus malaitae
A small black-and-white monarch. White below except for black throat and breast. Black above with a large white wing patch and a white cheek. Endemic to Malaita, in the Solomon Islands. Mostly found in primary forest, often in bamboo thickets. Most common calls include high-pitched whistles and harsh scolding notes. Formerly grouped with Solomons Monarch under the technically accurate but (given the prevalence of black-and-white monarchs) rather pointless name of “Black-and-white Monarch.”
Identification
A small black-and-white monarch. White below except for black throat and breast. Black above with a large white wing patch and a white cheek. Endemic to Malaita, in the Solomon Islands. Mostly found in primary forest, often in bamboo thickets. Most common calls include high-pitched whistles and harsh scolding notes. Formerly grouped with Solomons Monarch under the technically accurate but (given the prevalence of black-and-white monarchs) rather pointless name of “Black-and-white Monarch.”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Symposiachrus malaitae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Monarchidae
- Genus
- Symposiachrus
Photos
Distribution
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