Pied monarch

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Not to be confused with Solomons monarch.

Pied monarch[1]
Male in Australia

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Monarchidae
Genus: Arses
Species:
A. kaupi
Binomial name
Arses kaupi
Gould, 1851

The pied monarch (Arses kaupi) is a species of

Monarchidae. It is endemic to coastal Queensland
in Australia.

Taxonomy and systematics

The pied monarch was described by John Gould in 1851, who deliberated on placing it in a genus by itself on account of its feet and eye ring. The nest and eggs were undescribed until collected by Robert Hislop on 3 December 1894 near Bloomfield River.[3]

The pied monarch is closely related to and forms a superspecies with the two other species of

parvorder comprising many tropical and Australian passerines.[7] More recently, the grouping has been refined somewhat as the monarchs have been classified in a 'Core corvine' group with the crows and ravens, shrikes, birds of paradise, fantails, drongos and mudnest builders.[8]

Alternate names include the Australian pied flycatcher, Australian pied monarch, banded monarch, pied monarch-flycatcher, black-breasted flycatcher, Kaup's flycatcher and pied flycatcher.

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized:[9]

  • A. k. terraereginae - Campbell, AJ, 1895: Found on eastern Cape York Peninsula (north-eastern Australia)
  • A. k. kaupi - Gould, 1851: Found on south-eastern Cape York Peninsula (north-eastern Australia)

Description

The pied monarch is 15–16 centimetres (5.9–6.3 in) in length and weighs around 12.5–15 grams (0.44–0.53 oz). The plumage is sexually dimorphic. The upperparts and head of the male are black, as is the tail, and the wings are brownish-black with white scapulars (which shows as a white crescent across the back when folded). The collar, which is erectable, is white, and it joins through the neck with a white throat. The breast-band is black, and the belly and underside are white. In the female the white on the throat and collar is less distinct and covers less area, and the collar is incomplete around the neck. The eye is black, and is surrounded by a blue coloured eye-ring, which is less distinct in the female. The bill is blue-grey, and the legs are black. Immature birds look like females but with duller plumage, no blue in the eye-rings, and a horn-coloured bill.[4] Like other members of the genus it has long hind-toes and claws, and in general the size and shape of the feet resemble those of the Australasian treecreepers, and the feet are used for feeding in the same manner on the trunks of trees.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The pied monarch is found in tropical forest edge habitats and secondary growth in coastal north eastern Queensland, from Cooktown to Ingham. It ranges from sea level up to 900 metres (3,000 ft). It also occurs in palm-vine scrub, gallery forest and along rivers. The species is mostly non-migratory, but some birds disperse to the Eucalyptus woodland in the Atherton Tableland during the winter.[4]

The species has a tiny global range, and is described as uncommon and occurring at low densities throughout its range. However much of its range is protected within

IUCN.[4]

Behaviour

The pied monarch is insectivorous, with

whistlers and shrikethrushes. Within the forest they usually feed at the mid level, and rarely close to the ground. One foraging method typical to the genus is to climb up trunks and the larger branches in the manner of a treecreeper (Climacteris) and probing the bark and lichens, but they also catch prey from the air.[4]

Breeding

Breeding season is October to January with one brood raised. The nest is a shallow cup made of vines and sticks, woven together with spider webs and shredded plant material, and decorated with lichen on the outside. It is generally sited on a hanging loop of vine well away from the trunk or foliage of a sizeable tree about 2–10 metres (6.6–32.8 ft) above the ground. Two pink-tinged oval white eggs splotched with lavender and reddish-brown are laid measuring 19 mm x 14 mm.[10]

Gallery

  • Along Pinnacle Road - Australia (flash photo)
    Along Pinnacle Road - Australia (flash photo)
  • Illustration by John Gould
    Illustration by John Gould

References

  1. ^ Gill, F.; Donsker, D., eds. (2011). "Vireos, Crows and Allies". IOC World Bird Names (version 2.10). Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  2. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22707351A94118989.en
    . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  3. ^
    doi:10.1071/MU930241
    .
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-84-96553-06-4
    .
  5. ^ Christidis L, Boles WE (1994). The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories. Melbourne: RAOU.
  6. ISBN 978-0-643-06511-6
    .
  7. Ahlquist, Jon Edward
    (1990): Phylogeny and classification of birds. Yale University Press, New Haven, Conn.
  8. ISBN 0-19-517234-5
    .
  9. doi:10.14344/ioc.ml.6.4
    .
  10. ISBN 0-646-42798-9
    .

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pied_monarch&oldid=1219375241"