Pomarea mira
The Ua Pou Monarch is a striking, medium-sized passerine, typically measuring around 17 cm (6.7 in) in length. Adult males are instantly recognizable by their glossy, iridescent black plumage covering most of the body, starkly contrasted by a pure white belly and undertail coverts. A prominent, bright blue wattle encircles the eye, adding to its distinctive appearance. Females, while similar, tend to be slightly duller, exhibiting less extensive white on their underparts and a less vibrant bl...
The Ua Pou Monarch is confined to remnant patches of native, moist tropical forest, primarily within steep-sided ravines and valleys. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 100 to 800 meters, preferring dense, undisturbed vegetation.
The Ua Pou Monarch is primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects and small invertebrates gleaned from leaves and bark. Its main foraging method involves actively searching and gleaning prey from foliage within the forest understory and mid-canopy.
The Ua Pou Monarch is a diurnal and highly territorial species, usually observed singly or in pairs actively foraging within the forest understory and mid-canopy. It employs an agile foraging strategy, primarily gleaning insects and small invertebrates from foliage, branches, and occasionally mak...
The Ua Pou Monarch is an extreme island endemic, found exclusively on Ua Pou, one of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. Its incredibly restricted range is limited to the steep-sided, wet valleys on the western slopes of Mount Oave, specifically within the Hohoʻi Valley. This species inhab...
Critically Endangered
- The Ua Pou Monarch was once thought to be extinct until its dramatic rediscovery in 1999, offering a glimmer of hope for its survival. - With an estimated population of fewer than 20 mature individuals, it is considered one of the rarest and most critically endangered bird species on the planet...