Marquesan Monarch
Pomarea mendozae
Smallish flycatcher-like bird endemic to Mohotani (also referred to as Motane). Male is glossy black overall, while female is white-bodied with a black hood, black-and-white-striped wings, and a faint tan wash on the belly. Juveniles are gingery tan-brown overall with darker patches. Note long tail and pale gray bill. Inhabits dry forest throughout the island, ranging from the lowlands up into the hills. Vocalizations include a sweet whistle and a sharp, chattery “jirjirjirjirjir.”
Taxonomy
The Marquesan monarch was originally described in the genus Monarcha.<p>Two subspecies are recognized with one of them now extinct:<p>Additionally, two former subspecies were each re-classified as separate species in 2012:
- Scientific name
- Pomarea mendozae
- Authority
- (Hartlaub, 1854)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Monarchidae
- Genus
- Pomarea
Range and habitat
The Marquesan monarch was once fairly common and widespread in the Marquesas inhabiting islands such as Ua Pou, Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Tahuata, and Mohotani but is now restricted to Mohotani. An ornithological study on Mohotani in 2000 estimated that there are approximately 80-125 (formerly 200-350 pairs in 1975) left on the small island.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Marquesan monarch is mainly an insectivorous bird found in forest valleys at a variety of different altitudes. The species mainly prefers lowland forest but, most of that habitat was destroyed. Adults prefer areas of dense vegetation while immature birds often prefer shrubby vegetation in dry areas.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Goliath Heron
Ardea goliath
This enormous heron stands 1.5 meters tall and has a robust, dagger-like bill. The immature has rustier upperwings than the adult. Its flight is ponderous and labored. Goliath Heron inhabits large rivers, marshes, estuaries, and mangroves, hunting for large fish and other animals, stabbing them with an open bill. It has a distinct, barking “kowoork” call that can be heard from up to 2 km away. Purple Heron has similar plumage, but Goliath Heron is twice the size, has a much larger bill, and has a rufous (not blackish) top of the head.
Scrub Honeyeater
Meliphaga albonotata
A medium-sized honeyeater of foothill and mid-mountain scrub. Uniform olive green with a white ear spot and indistinct streak in the base of the bill. Some geographical overlap with the similar Forest Honeyeater, the only other similar species with a white ear spot, but Scrub Honeyeater has more green in the wing and is usually in scrub rather than forest interior. Call, a “chup!” similar to other similar species or a rapid series of whistles.
Rufous-rumped Antwren
Euchrepomis callinota
Colorful for an antwren, and therefore might be difficult to place into the correct family at first. Small. The distinctive rufous rump can be hard to see, so note black cap, gray head, olive back, yellow wingbars, and yellow belly. Bill is quite long and narrow. Female is similar to male but slightly duller. Typically found in pairs. Follows mixed-species flocks through the forest, usually fairly high in the canopy.
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