Pomarea iphis
The Iphis Monarch (Pomarea iphis) is a critically endangered passerine, a striking member of the Monarchidae family, known for its sleek, glossy black plumage and prominent, vibrant yellow-orange bill. This small, chunky bird measures approximately 17 cm (6.7 inches) in length, with an entirely black body in males, while females are similarly dark, though sometimes slightly duller. Distinctive field marks include its vivid bill, pale yellow legs, and a tendency to hold its tail cocked. Taxono...
This monarch primarily inhabits dense, humid primary and secondary lowland and montane forests, favoring areas with intact canopy and thick understory, especially in valleys and ravines.
The Iphis Monarch is insectivorous, primarily feeding on a variety of insects and other small invertebrates gleaned from vegetation.
Iphis Monarchs are generally observed singly or in pairs, actively foraging during daylight hours within the mid-canopy and understory layers of the forest. Their foraging strategy involves gleaning insects and other invertebrates from foliage, bark, and mosses, often making short, agile sallies ...
The Iphis Monarch is currently restricted to the island of Ua Huka in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. Historically, it also occurred on the adjacent, larger island of Nuku Hiva, but it is now considered extirpated from that location, with the last confirmed sightings dating back to the l...
Critically Endangered
- The Iphis Monarch is one of the world's most critically endangered bird species, with an estimated population of only 100-250 mature individuals. - It is endemic to a single small island, Ua Huka, in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia. - Its scientific name, *iphos*, is derived from the ...