Buru Monarch
Symposiachrus loricatus
A little-known black-and-white flycatcher-like species restricted to the island of Buru. Has a black hood, a striking white facial mark below the eye, all-black upperparts, and white outer tail feathers, lower chest, and belly. Juvenile has brown upperparts, rusty outer tail feathers, and a pale underside. Abundant in lowlands, less so in foothills, inhabiting understory of forests in singles and pairs. Attends mixed-species flocks. Lacks the extensive white facial markings and white wing panel of White-naped Monarch. Gives a repeated mournful whistle, “teeeeoow,” descending at the end, and rasping notes.
Identification
The Buru monarch (Symposiachrus loricatus) is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. It is endemic to Indonesia.
Taxonomy
This species was formerly placed in the genus Monarcha until moved to Symposiachrus in 2009. Some authorities have considered the black-tipped monarch to be a subspecies of the Kai monarch. Alternate names include Buru Island monarch and black-tipped monarch.
- Scientific name
- Symposiachrus loricatus
- Authority
- (Wallace, 1863)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Monarchidae
- Genus
- Symposiachrus
Range and habitat
The Buru monarch is found in the southern Moluccas. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Melanerpes cruentatus
Loud, colorful woodpecker of lowland forest. Bold black and yellow coloration is distinctive. Frequently perches on tall snags in mature forest and secondary growth. Highly social and is often seen in groups, especially around nesting colonies.
Black-faced Cotinga
Conioptilon mcilhennyi
A distinctively plumaged, vocal cotinga. Light gray, with darker gray wings and a black face. Occurs in a variety of forested habitats, preferring swampy areas. Perches upright on branches in the forest canopy, vocalizing more frequently than most other cotingas; listen for its rising, Smooth-billed Ani-like “corree” call with vibrato.
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Striking marsh bird, medium-sized with exceptionally long toes. In some regions adult is entirely black; other populations more similar to Northern Jacana with rufous upperparts. Always has red forehead and wattle at base of bill. Juveniles very similar to Northern Jacana: bronzy-brown above with white underparts and eyebrow; note yellow bill and long toes to separate from other marsh birds. All ages show yellow wings in flight. Found in wetlands, usually with a combination of grasses and lily pads.
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