Bird Guide

Golden Monarch

Carterornis chrysomela

Least ConcernInvertebratesForestCup nestSmall · 16 g

About the Golden Monarch

The golden monarch is a species of passerine bird in the family Monarchidae found in New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. The golden monarch displays marked sexual dimorphism, the male a striking golden colour with black mask, wings and tail, the female a golden or golden-olive colour. Both bear a characteristic 'teardrop' white pattern below the eye.

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

ID tip

Measuring 12.5 to 14 cm (4.9 to 5.5 in), the golden monarch displays marked sexual dimorphism. The male is a bright golden colour with sharply delineated black cheeks and throat, primary wing feathers and tail. It has a pale blue and black bill and dark brown iris, and a distinctive teardrop pattern of white feathers under the eye. The subspecies pulcherrima has a golden back, others have a black back. The female lacks the black colouring and is instead an olive-greenish with more yellowish underparts. It has black bill and the teardrop pattern under the eye.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Golden Monarch lives

Regular range

When to see the Golden Monarch

Peak activity in July · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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