The Tanimbar monarch, or Loetoe monarch is a bird in the family Monarchidae endemic to Indonesia. It is found in the Tanimbar Islands.
Region
Wallacea
Typical Environment
Occurs only on the Tanimbar Islands, where it inhabits primary and secondary lowland evergreen forest, forest edges, and wooded plantations. It is most frequently found in the understory to mid-canopy, using shaded interior and edges along streams. The species tolerates some habitat modification but is most numerous in intact forest. It may also venture into mangrove fringes and dense scrub near forest margins.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Tanimbar monarch is a flycatcher-like monarchid restricted to the Tanimbar Islands of eastern Indonesia. It forages by sallying from low to mid-story perches to catch insects and often joins mixed-species flocks. Like many monarchs, it builds a neat, cup-shaped nest suspended from a forked branch. Taxonomically it has been placed in both Monarcha and Carterornis in different treatments.
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies
Social Behavior
Typically encountered as solitary individuals or in pairs within territories, especially during breeding. It readily joins mixed-species flocks moving through the midstory to forage. Nests are small, cup-shaped structures suspended from a forked twig, with both parents participating in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of thin, high-pitched whistles and sharp chips delivered from shaded perches. Contact calls are soft, scolding notes used while foraging in pairs or flocks.
Plumage
Neat, sleek plumage with contrasting upperparts and underparts; typical monarchid appearance with a smooth, satiny look. Upperparts are bluish-grey to slaty; underparts paler with a clean throat. A darker facial area gives a masked impression with a crisp pale throat patch.
Diet
Primarily small insects and other arthropods, including flies, beetles, moths, and caterpillars. It gleans prey from foliage and branches and makes short aerial sallies to snatch flying insects. Occasional hovering picks prey from leaf undersides.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the understory and mid-canopy of humid lowland forest, especially along edges, gaps, and stream corridors. Also uses secondary growth and wooded plantations where sufficient cover and perches are available.
