Tahiti monarch

The Tahiti monarch (Pomarea nigra), or Tahiti flycatcher, is a rare species of bird in the monarch flycatcher family. It is endemic to Tahiti in French Polynesia. There are fewer than 50 individuals remaining.[2]

"Pomarea pomarea" redirects here. For the related species formerly referred to by this scientific name, see Maupiti monarch.
Not to be confused with Monarchs of Tahiti.

Tahiti monarch
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Monarchidae
Genus: Pomarea
Species:
P. nigra
Binomial name
Pomarea nigra
(Sparrman, 1786)
Synonyms
  • Muscicapa nigra

Taxonomy and systematics

The Tahiti monarch was originally described in the genus Muscicapa. Formerly, the Maupiti monarch was considered as a subspecies of the Tahiti monarch until re-classified as separate species in 2012.[3]

Description

This bird is 15 centimeters long and black in color with a pale blue bill. The juvenile is reddish brown. The call sounds like tick-tick-tick and the song is "flute-like".[2]

Distribution and habitat

This bird is found in only four valleys in Tahiti. It lives in the canopy and understory in forests among mara trees (Neonauclea forsteri).

Threats

Threats to the species include the degradation of its forest habitat by the invasion of exotic plant species, including Miconia calvescens and Spathodea campanulata. The forest is also degraded by goat activity. Predation by rats and cats is a threat. The Tahiti kingfisher (Todiramphus veneratus) is a competitor.[2]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Pomarea nigra". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22707178A94109906. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22707178A94109906.en.
  2. Pomarea nigra. BirdLife International Species Profile.
  3. "IOC World Bird List 3.1". IOC World Bird List Datasets. doi:10.14344/ioc.ml.3.1.
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