Bismarck Monarch

Symposiachrus verticalis

Monarch Flycatchers, Paradise Flycatchers, and Shrikebills · Passeriformes · Legendary

The Bismarck Monarch (Symposiachrus verticalis) is a legendary monarch flycatchers, paradise flycatchers, and shrikebill found only in Papua New Guinea, weighing about 22 g. The Bismarck monarch, formerly known as the black-tailed monarch, is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae.

Not EvaluatedLegendaryEndemicEats invertebratesforestcup nest22 g

About the Bismarck Monarch

The Bismarck monarch, formerly known as the black-tailed monarch, is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. It is endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

This species is a pied bird with a white face and black throat. The male has a black crown with a band of white and a black tail and upperparts. The legs are dark grey or blackish and the bill is grey in colour. The male and female are similar, except that the female has a grey back and rump. The juvenile has a pale grey forehead and face. The subspecies ateralbus is larger than the nominate and has extensive white on the outer tail feathers. Voice: The song is a descending series of thin fine whistles.

Where it lives

When to see it

Best months: January, June, July, August, September, October, December, with peak activity in July. It is a winter visitor species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Bismarck Monarch?
This species is a pied bird with a white face and black throat. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Bismarck Monarch?
The Bismarck Monarch is a small sized bird weighing about 22 g.
Where can you see a Bismarck Monarch?
The Bismarck Monarch is endemic to Papua New Guinea, which is the only country where it occurs.
What birds look similar to a Bismarck Monarch?
The Bismarck Monarch is most easily confused with the Biak Monarch, the Solomons Monarch and the Kolombangara Monarch.

Learn the Bismarck Monarch for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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