Tahiti monarch
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Pomarea nigra

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 between 25 and 100 individuals remaining with an increasing population trend.

Appearance

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".

Distribution

Geography

Biogeographical realms

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

Biome

Population

Population 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.

References

1. Tahiti monarch Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahiti_monarch
2. Tahiti monarch on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22707178/173465740

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