The frilled monarch is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. As currently defined, its range is restricted to forest on New Guinea and nearby smaller islands, but historically it has included some or all of the remaining members of the genus Arses as subspecies.
Region
New Guinea and nearby islands
Typical Environment
Occurs in primary and well-developed secondary rainforest across much of New Guinea, with populations also on several adjacent small islands. It favors shaded understory and midstory layers, forest edges, and riverine corridors. Birds are most frequently encountered in lowlands and foothills, but can range upslope where suitable forest persists. It tolerates some disturbance if a closed canopy remains, but is less common in heavily degraded habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The frilled monarch is notable for its expandable neck feathers that form a ruff or 'frill' during display, a hallmark of the genus Arses. It is an agile insect-hunter of shaded forest interiors and often joins mixed-species foraging flocks. Historically, some closely related taxa within Arses were treated as its subspecies, but they are now split based on plumage and range.
Temperament
active and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically found singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks with other monarchs and fantails. Builds a neat cup nest suspended in a fork or on a slender branch, usually a few meters above ground. Both sexes participate in nesting duties, and males display by erecting the neck frill.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are sharp ticks and chatter interspersed with thin, high-pitched whistles. The song is a simple, repetitive series delivered from shaded perches in the understory.
