Frilled monarch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frilled monarch |
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| Illustration by John Gould and W. Hart | |
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Arses
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| Species: |
telescopthalmus
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| Subspecies | |
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The frilled monarch (Arses telescopthalmus) is a cool species of bird. It belongs to the Monarchidae family, which includes many types of monarch flycatchers. This bird lives in the forests of New Guinea and some smaller islands nearby.
Scientists used to think that other birds from the Arses group were just different types (subspecies) of the frilled monarch. But now, they are mostly seen as their own separate species.
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About the Frilled Monarch
The frilled monarch is known for its unique look. It gets its name from the "frill" of feathers around its neck. These birds are often found in tropical forests. They are usually quite small and quick.
What Do They Eat?
Like other flycatchers, frilled monarchs mainly eat insects. They are good at catching bugs in the air. They also search for insects on leaves and branches.
Where Do They Live?
These birds prefer to live in dense forest areas. Their home is mostly in New Guinea. You can also find them on several smaller islands close to New Guinea. They like places with lots of trees and plants.
Naming and Family Tree
Scientists give every living thing a special name. This helps them organize and study all the different species. The frilled monarch's scientific name is Arses telescopthalmus.
How Scientists Name Birds
When a new animal is found, scientists give it a name. The frilled monarch was first described a long time ago. It was originally placed in a group called Muscicapa. Later, scientists moved it to the Arses group.
Different Names for the Same Bird
Sometimes, a bird can have a few different common names. The frilled monarch is also sometimes called the Australian frilled monarch. Another name you might hear is frilled flycatcher. These names help people talk about the bird.
Frilled Monarch Relatives
Some scientists think that the ochre-collared monarch and the frill-necked monarch are very closely related to the frilled monarch. They might even be considered types of the frilled monarch by some experts. This shows how complex the bird family tree can be!
Frilled Monarch Subspecies
A "subspecies" is like a special group within a species. These groups might look a little different or live in different places. But they are still the same main species. There are five recognized subspecies of the frilled monarch.
- A. t. batantae: This subspecies lives on Batanta and Waigeo islands. These islands are in the western part of Papua.
- A. t. telescopthalmus: This is the original subspecies. It lives on Salawati and Misool islands. You can also find it in the north-western part of New Guinea.
- A. t. aruensis: This group lives on the Aru Islands. These islands are located to the south-west of New Guinea.
- A. t. harterti: This subspecies is found in the southern parts of New Guinea.
- A. t. henkei: This group lives in the eastern and southern areas of New Guinea.
