Bismarck monarch
Species of bird
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| Bismarck monarch | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Monarchidae |
| Genus: | Symposiachrus |
| Species: | S. verticalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Symposiachrus verticalis (P. L. Sclater, 1877) | |
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Symposiachrus verticalis verticalis
Symposiachrus verticalis ateralbus | |
| Synonyms | |
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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]