The ochre-collared monarch or rufous-collared monarch is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. It is found in Yapen and northern New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
New Guinea and nearby islands
Typical Environment
Occurs on Yapen Island and across parts of northern New Guinea. It favors subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests as well as lower montane forests. Birds use the understory to midstory, frequently foraging along shaded edges, vine tangles, and dense secondary growth. It tolerates lightly disturbed forest but is most common in mature, closed-canopy habitats.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the rufous-collared monarch, this flycatcher belongs to the genus Arses, noted for their frill-like neck feathers and prominent bare blue orbital skin. It inhabits Yapen and northern New Guinea and is typically a quiet forest interior bird. Pairs often maintain small territories and perform short aerial sallies to catch insects.
Temperament
active and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks in the midstory. Likely monogamous, with a small cup nest placed on forks or horizontal branches. Pairs maintain territories and use soft contact calls while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of thin, whistled notes, sometimes delivered in short phrases. Calls include sharp chips and soft trills used for contact within pairs.
Plumage
Crisp contrast of dark upperparts with pale underparts, highlighted by an ochre to rufous collar at the sides and back of the neck. Throat and belly whitish; head and mantle dark, with a subtle frill of neck feathers typical of Arses. Bare bluish orbital skin is conspicuous at close range.
Diet
Primarily hunts small flying and gleaned insects such as beetles, flies, moths, and spiders. It makes short aerial sallies from shaded perches and also picks prey from leaves and twigs. Occasional small arthropods are taken from suspended dead leaves and vine tangles.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the understory to mid-canopy of humid forest, along edges, and in semi-open secondary growth. Often forages in dappled light within dense foliage and along quiet trails or streams.
