Peltops montanus
The Mountain Peltops, scientific name *Peltops montanus*, is a striking pied passerine endemic to the montane forests of New Guinea, often dubbed the 'New Guinea shrike-flycatcher' due to its appearance and behavior. This approximately 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) long bird with a weight of 30-40g showcases glossy blue-black plumage on its head, back, wings, and tail, sharply contrasting with pure white underparts, a prominent white rump, and distinctive white shoulder patches. A stout, black bill, ...
Resident in tropical and subtropical moist montane forests of New Guinea, typically at elevations between 900 and 2,700 meters, preferring forest edges, clearings, and open canopy areas.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on flying insects such as beetles, moths, flies, and wasps, captured through agile aerial hawking from a perch.
This diurnal species primarily forages by aerial hawking, perching conspicuously on dead snags or emergent branches at the forest edge, scanning for flying insects. Upon spotting prey, it launches into an acrobatic flight to snatch insects mid-air, often returning to the same or a nearby perch. M...
The Mountain Peltops is endemic to the island of New Guinea, where it is found throughout the central highlands. Its distribution spans both the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua, as well as across Papua New Guinea. This species is commonly found in a number of major mountain ranges, i...
Least Concern
- Its striking black and white plumage and upright posture earned it the nickname 'New Guinea's shrike-flycatcher. - Despite its appearance and flycatching behavior, the Mountain Peltops is not a true flycatcher but belongs to the Artamidae family, sharing ancestry with woodswallows and butcherbi...