Black-faced monarch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black-faced monarch |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Monarcha
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| Species: |
melanopsis
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| Synonyms | |
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The black-faced monarch (Monarcha melanopsis) is a type of songbird that belongs to the Monarchidae family. You can find these birds along the eastern coast of Australia. Many of them also fly to New Guinea during the cooler months, from May to August.
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About the Black-faced Monarch
What's in a Name?
The black-faced monarch was first described in 1818 by a scientist named Louis Pierre Vieillot. He gave it the scientific name Muscicapa melanopsis. Later, in 1827, other naturalists placed it in the group, or genus, called Monarcha.
The name melanopsis comes from ancient Greek words. Melas means "black" and ops means "face". This perfectly describes the bird's distinctive black face patch!
The official common name for this bird is "black-faced monarch". Sometimes people also call it the "black-faced flycatcher" or "pearly-winged monarch".
Is it Unique?
Yes, the black-faced monarch is considered monotypic. This means there are no different subspecies or types of this bird. It is one unique species! It is closely related to another bird called the black-winged monarch.
What Does it Look Like?
The black-faced monarch is mostly grey. It has a reddish-brown color on its belly and chest. Adult birds have a clear black patch on their face, which gives them their name.
Where Does it Live?
These birds love to live in places with lots of trees and plants. Their favorite homes are rainforests and other wet forest areas. You can find them in these habitats along the eastern coast of Australia and in New Guinea.
