The Ua Pou monarch is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae, endemic to the French Polynesian island of Ua Pou. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, and heavily degraded former forest.
Region
Marquesas Islands
Typical Environment
Historically restricted to Ua Pou, where it used subtropical to tropical moist lowland and montane forests. It foraged within forest interiors, edges, and secondary growth, showing some tolerance for degraded habitats. Birds likely focused activity in mid-story and canopy strata, sallying from perches to catch insects. Riparian corridors and valley forests would have provided important feeding and nesting sites. Its extremely limited range made it highly vulnerable to disturbance and invasive predators.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Ua Pou monarch was a monarch flycatcher endemic to the island of Ua Pou in the Marquesas, French Polynesia. It inhabited moist lowland and montane forests as well as degraded former forest. Likely driven to extinction by habitat loss and introduced predators such as rats and cats, it has not been confirmed since the early 20th century. It was part of a radiation of Pomarea monarchs across the Marquesas, several of which are now highly threatened or extinct.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile sallying flights
Social Behavior
Typically observed in pairs during the breeding season, defending small territories. Nests were likely open cups placed on branches within the lower to mid canopy, as in related Pomarea species. Parental care would have been shared, with both adults feeding the nestlings.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Presumed to give clear, whistled notes interspersed with soft chattering typical of Pomarea monarchs. Vocalizations likely used for territory advertisement and pair contact in dense forest.
