Justification This species has a very small range and appears to be restricted to unlogged lowland forest, which is severely fragmented and rapidly declining through logging and clearance for agriculture. It is therefore considered Endangered. However this classification is based on few data and the species may prove to be more common and widespread.

Family/Sub-family Monarchidae

Species name author Schlegel, 1871

Taxonomic source(s) Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 17 cm. Striking black, white and pale yellow monarch. Black or dark brown head, throat, mantle, wings and central tail feathers, with white wing-patch, lower breast and belly, rump and outer tail feathers. Variable yellowish-white on head and breast may be sex- or age-related. Similar spp. Male Golden Monarch M. chrysomela is bright golden-yellow with black throat, mantle, tail and flight feathers. Northern Fantail Rhipidura hyperythra has white throat and lacks extensive white on wings, rump and tail. Voice Short rasps. Hints Rarely seen at Warafri, perhaps best to trek into forested hills inland.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

2,500 km²

Yes

Range & population Monarcha brehmii is endemic to the twin-islands of Biak-Supiori in Geelvink Bay, Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia². It was clearly scarce historically¹⁰ and there are only four recent records, of up to three individuals^1,3,7,8. It took three days to find during one of these visits⁸, and was not seen during another recent four-day visit⁶. However, there has been no recent ornithological exploration of the forests of interior Biak-Supiori, where it may prove to be more common and widespread⁵.

Ecology: The recent observations are from lowland forest, one bird in a lichen-covered limestone riverbed in thick, lowland rainforest at c.60 m³, another record from logged lowland forest with a mixture of highly degraded and pristine areas⁷, and a third from a tiny patch of tall forest within secondary growth and plantations¹.

Threats Large areas of forest on Biak have been destroyed or damaged by logging and subsistence farming, particularly the southern plains, and the remainder is under pressure^3,4,9. Furthermore, forest does not regenerate easily on areas of raised coralline limestone. Much of Supiori comprises virtually impenetrable, forested limestone mountains, which is likely to be safe from habitat degradation.

Conservation measures underway There are two protected areas on the islands, Biak-Utara (110 km²) and Pulau Supiori (420 km²) Nature Reserves¹¹.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct surveys on both islands to establish its current distribution, population status and assess its habitat requirements. Afford formal protection to further key sites where appropriate. Control logging on Supiori³.

References 1. S. van Balen in litt. (2000). 2. Beehler et al. (1986). 3. Bishop (1982). 4. K. D. Bishop in litt. (1996). 5. K. D. Bishop in litt. (2000). 6. Eastwood (1996b). 7. Gibbs (1993). 8. P. Gregory, I. and R. Burrows in litt. (1994). 9. D. Holmes in litt. (2000). 10. Mayr and Meyer de Schauensee (1939). 11. Sujatnika et al. (1995).

Further web sources of information

Fully detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001), together with new information collated since the publication of the Red Data Book

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International), Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), Guy Dutson (BirdLife International)

Contributors K. David Bishop (VENT Bird Tours), R. Burrows, Phil Gregory (Fieldguides Incorporated), Derek Holmes (Indonesian Ornithological Society), Bas (S.) van Balen (Conservation International)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Monarcha brehmii. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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