The Manus monarch, also called the Admiralty Islands monarch, the Admiralty monarch, the Admiralty pied monarch, the somber monarch and the unhappy monarch, is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. It is endemic to the Admiralty Islands of Papua New Guinea.
Region
Admiralty Islands, Bismarck Archipelago
Typical Environment
Occurs on Manus and nearby islets in the Admiralty group, using primary and secondary lowland rainforest, forest edges, and tall secondary growth. It forages from the understory to the mid-canopy, and tolerates lightly disturbed habitats better than heavily degraded ones. The species is largely absent from open agricultural areas but may visit gardens adjacent to forest. Within its small island range, it can be locally common where forest remains.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 700 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Admiralty Islands monarch, this flycatcher is confined to the Manus group in Papua New Guinea. It frequents lowland forests and secondary growth, often joining mixed-species flocks while foraging. Habitat loss from logging is the principal threat across its small range. Males are strikingly pied while females are duller and more brownish.
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent sallies
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. It joins mixed-species flocks while foraging. Nests are small cup structures placed on horizontal branches; both sexes likely share incubation and chick-rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song consists of thin, high-pitched whistles interspersed with sharp chips. Calls include scolding chatter and soft contact notes when moving through foliage.
Plumage
Pied monarch with contrasting dark upperparts and white underparts; male shows crisp black-and-white patterning with a white wing patch, while the female is browner and duller with whitish underparts.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects and other small arthropods such as beetles, flies, caterpillars, and spiders. It gleans prey from leaves and twigs and makes short sallies to snatch flying insects. Occasional hover-gleaning is used to pick prey from foliage.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shaded understory and midstory layers, along forest edges, and in semi-open secondary growth near intact forest. Often accompanies mixed-species flocks along vine tangles and saplings.
