Marquesan monarch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marquesan monarch |
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| Genus: |
Pomarea
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| Species: |
mendozae
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The Marquesan monarch (Pomarea mendozae) is a small bird that lives in the Marquesas Islands. These islands are part of French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean. This special bird is found nowhere else in the world. It lives in different kinds of forests, from dry areas to moist mountain slopes. Sadly, the Marquesan monarch is in danger because it is losing its home.
Where the Marquesan Monarch Lives
The Marquesan monarch used to be common across many of the Marquesas Islands. It lived on islands like Ua Pou, Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Tahuata, and Mohotani. Today, this bird is only found on the small island of Mohotani.
In the year 2000, experts studied the birds on Mohotani. They estimated that only about 80 to 125 Marquesan monarchs were left. This is a big drop from the 200 to 350 pairs counted in 1975. This shows how rare these birds have become.
What the Marquesan Monarch Eats
The Marquesan monarch mainly eats insects. It lives in forest valleys at different heights above sea level. These birds prefer forests in lowland areas. However, much of this lowland forest has been destroyed.
Adult birds like to live in places with thick plants and trees. Younger birds often prefer areas with shrubs in drier spots.
Why the Marquesan Monarch is in Danger
The rare Marquesan monarch faces many threats. One big problem is feral cats and polynesian rats. These animals are not native to Mohotani island. They were brought there by people and now hunt the birds.
All the Marquesas Islands have been badly damaged over time. This damage comes from animals like goats eating too much vegetation. There have also been many wildfires. Much of the original dry forest has turned into grassland. The forests in the mountains are now only small patches. This loss of habitat makes it very hard for the Marquesan monarch to survive.
