The Monarch Flycatchers (Monarchidae) comprise a family of passerine

Passerine

A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...

 bird

Bird

Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...

s which includes boatbills, shrikebills, paradise-flycatchers, and magpie-lark

Magpie-lark

The Magpie-lark is a conspicuous Australian bird of small to medium size, also known as the Mudlark in Victoria and Western Australia, the Murray Magpie in South Australia, and as the Peewee in New South Wales and Queensland...

s.

Monarchids are small insectivorous

Insectivore

An insectivore is a type of carnivore with a diet that consists chiefly of insects and similar small creatures. An alternate term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of eating insects....

 songbirds with long tails. They inhabit forest or woodland across sub-Saharan Africa, south-east Asia, Australasia and a number of Pacific islands. Only a few species migrate. Many species decorate their cup-shaped nests with lichen.

Morphology and description

The monarch flycatchers are a diverse family of passerine

Passerine

A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...

 birds that are generally arboreal (with the exception of the magpie-larks

Grallina

Grallina is a genus composed of two species of passerine bird native to Australia and New Guinea. It is a member of a group of birds termed monarch flycatchers. This group is considered either as a subfamily Monarchinae, together with the fantails as part of the drongo family Dicruridae, or as a...

). They are mostly slim birds and possess broad bill

Beak

The beak, bill or rostrum is an external anatomical structure of birds which is used for eating and for grooming, manipulating objects, killing prey, fighting, probing for food, courtship and feeding young...

s. The bills of some species are quite large; the boatbills of the genus Machaerirhynchus

Machaerirhynchus

Machaerirhynchus is a genus of passerine birds currently classified with the monarch flycatchers in the family Monarchidae. The two species are known as boatbills. The genus is distributed across New Guinea and northern Queensland.The species are:...

are very broad and flat, and the heavy-set bills of the shrikebill

Shrikebill

The shrikebills are the monarch flycatcher genus Clytorhynchus. The four to six species have long laterally compressed bills similar to true shrikes that give them their names...

s are used to probe dead wood and leaves. The plumage

Plumage

Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...

 of the family ranges from sombre, like the almost monochrome Black Monarch

Black Monarch

The Black Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes....

, to spectacular, like the Golden Monarch

Golden Monarch

The Golden Monarch is a species of passerine bird in the Monarchidae family found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea....

. The tails are generally long and spectacularly so in the paradise-flycatchers in the genus Terpsiphone

Terpsiphone

The paradise-flycatchers, Terpsiphone, are a genus of monarch flycatchers. The genus ranges across Africa and Asia, as well as a number of islands. A few species are migratory, but the majority are resident. The most telling characteristic of the genus is the long tail streamers of the males of...

. Sexual dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...

 in plumage can be subtle, as in the Paperbark Flycatcher

Paperbark Flycatcher

The Paperbark Flycatcher , also known as the Little Restless Flycatcher, is a passerine bird in the family Monarchidae. It occurs in tropical woodland and riverine habitats of northern Australia and southern New Guinea...

, where the female is identical to the male except for a slight buff on the throat; striking, as in the Chuuk Monarch

Chuuk Monarch

The Chuuk Monarch, or Truk Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Metabolus. It is endemic to the island of Chuuk in Micronesia....

 where the male almost entirely white and the female entirely black; or non-existent, as in the Tahiti Monarch

Tahiti Monarch

Pomarea nigra, the Tahiti Monarch or Tahiti Flycatcher, is a rare species of bird in the Monarch flycatcher family. It is endemic to Tahiti in French Polynesia. There are fewer than 50 individuals remaining....

. In some species, for example the Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher

Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher

The Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Comoros, Madagascar, and Mayotte....

, the males have two or more colour morphs.

Distribution, habitat and movements

The monarch flycatchers have a mostly Old World distribution. In the western end of their range they are distributed through sub-Saharan Africa

Africa

Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...

, Madagascar

Madagascar

The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...

 and the islands of the tropical Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...

. They also occur in South and Southeastern Asia, north to Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

, down to New Guinea

New Guinea

New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...

 and most of Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

. The family has managed to reach many Pacific

Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...

 islands, and several endemic genera occur across Micronesia

Micronesia

Micronesia is a subregion of Oceania, comprising thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is distinct from Melanesia to the south, and Polynesia to the east. The Philippines lie to the west, and Indonesia to the southwest....

, Melanesia

Melanesia

Melanesia is a subregion of Oceania extending from the western end of the Pacific Ocean to the Arafura Sea, and eastward to Fiji. The region comprises most of the islands immediately north and northeast of Australia...

 and Polynesia

Polynesia

Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...

 as far as Hawaii

Hawaii

Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...

 and the Marquesas

Marquesas Islands

The Marquesas Islands enana and Te Fenua `Enata , both meaning "The Land of Men") are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean. The Marquesas are located at 9° 00S, 139° 30W...

.

The paradise-flycatchers of the genus Terpsiphone

Terpsiphone

The paradise-flycatchers, Terpsiphone, are a genus of monarch flycatchers. The genus ranges across Africa and Asia, as well as a number of islands. A few species are migratory, but the majority are resident. The most telling characteristic of the genus is the long tail streamers of the males of...

has the widest distribution of any of the monarch flycatchers, ranging almost all of sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, the Mascarenes and Seychelles

Seychelles

Seychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....

, South, East and Southeastern Asia as far as Korea, Afghanistan, the Philippines and the Lesser Sundas. The other paradise-flycatcher genus, Trochocercus

Trochocercus

Trochocercus is a genus of bird in the Monarchidae family.It contains the following species:* African Crested-flycatcher * Blue-headed Crested-flycatcher...

is restricted to Africa. The other exclusively Asian genus is the Hypothymis

Hypothymis

Hypothymis is a genus of bird in the Monarchidae family.It contains the following species:* Celestial Monarch ** Negros Celestial Monarch, Hypothymis coelestis rabori – possibly extinct...

monarchs. The remaining genera are predominately found in the Austro-Papuan and Oceania regions. A few monotypic genera are restricted to Pacific island; these include the Silktail

Silktail

The Silktail, Lamprolia victoriae is a species of bird endemic to Fiji. It is the only member of the genus Lamprolia. This beautiful bird looks superficially like a diminutive bird of paradise but it is actually closely related to the fantails....

 (Lamprolia) in Fiji

Fiji

Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...

, the Chuuk Monarch (Metabolus) in the Micronesian island of Chuuk

Chuuk

Chuuk — formerly Truk, Ruk, Hogoleu, Torres, Ugulat, and Lugulus — is an island group in the south western part of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia , along with Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. Chuuk is the most populous of the FSM's...

, the Hawaii

Hawaii

Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...

an Elepaio (Chasiempis) and the Buff-bellied Monarch

Buff-bellied Monarch

The Buff-bellied Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Neolalage.It is endemic to Vanuatu.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests....

 (Neolalage) which is restricted to the islands of Vanuatu

Vanuatu

Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.Vanuatu was...

. Other Pacific genera are the shrikebills (Clytorhynchus), the Mayrornis

Mayrornis

Mayrornis is a genus of bird in the Monarchidae family.It contains the following species:* Slaty Monarch * Vanikoro Monarch * Ogea Monarch...

monarchs, both of which are found in Melanesia and west Polynesia, and the Pomarea

Pomarea

Pomarea is a genus of bird in the monarch flycatcher family Monarchidae. The genus is restricted to the islands of Polynesia. The monarchs of this genus are around 15–19 cm long and most have sexually dimorphic plumage....

monarchs which are exclusively Polynesian in origin.

The majority of the family is found in forest and woodland habitats. Species that live in more open woodlands tend to live in the higher levels of the trees but, in denser forest, live in the middle and lower levels. Other habitats used by monarch flycatchers include savannah and mangroves, and the terrestrial Magpie-lark

Magpie-lark

The Magpie-lark is a conspicuous Australian bird of small to medium size, also known as the Mudlark in Victoria and Western Australia, the Murray Magpie in South Australia, and as the Peewee in New South Wales and Queensland...

 occurs in most Australian habitats except the driest deserts.

While the majority of monarch-flycatchers are resident, a few species are partially migratory

Bird migration

Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...

 and one, the Satin Flycatcher

Satin Flycatcher

The Satin Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.-Distribution:The Satin Flycatcher It is found in Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea....

, is fully migratory, although the Japanese Paradise-flycatcher

Japanese Paradise-flycatcher

The Japanese Paradise-flycatcher , also called the Black Paradise-flycatcher, is a medium-sized passerine bird...

 is almost entirely migratory. The Asian Paradise-flycatcher is migratory over the northern parts of its range and sedentary in the tropics, and the African Paradise-flycatcher makes a series of poorly understood intra-African migratory movements.

Breeding

The monarch-flycatchers are generally monogamous

Monogamy

Monogamy /Gr. μονός+γάμος - one+marriage/ a form of marriage in which an individual has only one spouse at any one time. In current usage monogamy often refers to having one sexual partner irrespective of marriage or reproduction...

, with the pair bonds ranging from just a single season (as in the African Paradise-flycatcher) to life (the Elepaio). Only three species are known to engage in cooperative breeding; but many species are as yet unstudied. They are generally territorial

Territory (animal)

In ethology the term territory refers to any sociographical area that an animal of a particular species consistently defends against conspecifics...

, defending territories that are around 2 ha in size, but a few species may cluster their nesting sites closely together. Nesting sites may also be chosen close to aggressive species, for example Leaden Flycatcher

Leaden Flycatcher

The Leaden Flycatcher is a species of passerine bird in the family Monarchidae. Around 15 cm in length, the male is a shiny lead-grey with white underparts, while the female has grey upperparts and a rufous throat and breast. It is found in eastern and northern Australia, Indonesia, and...

s nests may be located near the nests of the aggressive Noisy Friarbird

Noisy Friarbird

The Noisy Friarbird is a passerine bird of the honeyeater family Meliphagidae native to southern New Guinea and eastern Australia. It is one of several species known as friarbirds whose heads are bare of feathers. It is brown-grey in colour, with a prominent knob on its bare black-skinned head...

. The nests are in turn often aggressively defended by monarch flycatchers. In all species the nest is an open cup on a branch, fork or twig. In some species the nests can be highly conspicuous.

Systematics

Many of the approximately 140 species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

 making up the family were previously assigned to other groups, largely on the basis of general morphology or behaviour. The Magpie-lark

Magpie-lark

The Magpie-lark is a conspicuous Australian bird of small to medium size, also known as the Mudlark in Victoria and Western Australia, the Murray Magpie in South Australia, and as the Peewee in New South Wales and Queensland...

, for example, was assigned to the same family as the White-winged Chough

White-winged Chough

The White-winged Chough is one of only two surviving members of the Australian mud-nest builders family, Corcoracidae, and is the only member of the genus Corcorax...

, since both build unusual nests from mud rather than vegetable matter. The Australasian fantails

Fantail

Fantails are small insectivorous birds of southern Asia and Australasia belonging to the genus Rhipidura in the family Rhipiduridae...

 were thought to be allied with the fantails of the northern hemisphere (they have a similar diet and behaviour), and so on.

With the new insights generated by the DNA-DNA hybridisation

DNA-DNA hybridisation

DNA-DNA hybridization generally refers to a molecular biology technique that measures the degree of genetic similarity between pools of DNA sequences. It is usually used to determine the genetic distance between two species...

 studies of Sibley

Charles Sibley

Charles Gald Sibley was an American ornithologist and molecular biologist. He had an immense influence on the scientific classification of birds, and the work that Sibley initiated has substantially altered our understanding of the evolutionary history of modern birds.Sibley's taxonomy has been a...

 and his co-workers toward the end of the 20th century, however, it became clear that these apparently unrelated birds were all descended from a common ancestor: the same crow-like ancestor that gave rise to the drongo

Drongo

The drongos are a family of small passerine birds of the Old World tropics, the Dicruridae. This family was sometimes much enlarged to include a number of largely Australasian groups, such as the Australasian fantails, monarchs and paradise flycatchers...

s. On that basis they have been included as a subfamily of the Dicruridae, along with the fantail

Fantail

Fantails are small insectivorous birds of southern Asia and Australasia belonging to the genus Rhipidura in the family Rhipiduridae...

s, although Christidis and Boles have more recently treated it at familial rank as Monarchidae.

More recently, the grouping has been refined somewhat as the original concept of Corvida has proven paraphyletic. The narrower 'Core corvine' group now comprises the crows and ravens, shrikes, birds of paradise, fantails, monarch flycatchers, drongos and mudnest builders.

The Monarchs are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerine

Passerine

A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...

s, many of which hunt by flycatching

Hawking (birds)

Hawking is a feeding strategy in birds involving catching flying insects in the air. The term usually refers to a technique of sallying out from a perch to snatch an insect and then returning to the same or a different perch...

.

Taxonomic list of Monarchidae

Based on del Hoyo et al. (2006)

• Genus Hypothymis
  Hypothymis
  Hypothymis is a genus of bird in the Monarchidae family.It contains the following species:* Celestial Monarch ** Negros Celestial Monarch, Hypothymis coelestis rabori – possibly extinct...
  
  (4 species)
• Genus Eutrichomyias – Cerulean Paradise-flycatcher
• Genus Trochocercus
  Trochocercus
  Trochocercus is a genus of bird in the Monarchidae family.It contains the following species:* African Crested-flycatcher * Blue-headed Crested-flycatcher...
  
  
  • Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Trochocercus nitens
  • African Crested Flycatcher, Trochocercus cyanomelas

• Genus Terpsiphone
  Terpsiphone
  The paradise-flycatchers, Terpsiphone, are a genus of monarch flycatchers. The genus ranges across Africa and Asia, as well as a number of islands. A few species are migratory, but the majority are resident. The most telling characteristic of the genus is the long tail streamers of the males of...
  
  – typical paradise-flycatchers (14 species)
• Genus Chasiempis – Elepaio
• Genus Pomarea
  Pomarea
  Pomarea is a genus of bird in the monarch flycatcher family Monarchidae. The genus is restricted to the islands of Polynesia. The monarchs of this genus are around 15–19 cm long and most have sexually dimorphic plumage....
  
  
  • Eiao Monarch
    Eiao Monarch
    The Eiao Monarch was a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. The species is sometimes considered to have been conspecific with the Iphis MonarchIt was endemic to French Polynesia....
    
    , Pomarea fluxa – extinct (late 1970s). Formerly included in P. mendozae
  • Nuku Hiva Monarch
    Nuku Hiva Monarch
    The Nuku Hiva Monarch was a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It was endemic to French Polynesia.Its natural habitats were subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and heavily degraded former forest.It became extinct due to habitat...
    
    , Pomarea nukuhivae – extinct (20th century). Formerly included in P. iphis
  • Rarotonga Monarch
    Rarotonga Monarch
    The Rarotonga Monarch , also known as the Kakerori, is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. It is endemic to the Cook Islands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests...
    
    , Pomarea dimidiata
  • Tahiti Monarch
    Tahiti Monarch
    Pomarea nigra, the Tahiti Monarch or Tahiti Flycatcher, is a rare species of bird in the Monarch flycatcher family. It is endemic to Tahiti in French Polynesia. There are fewer than 50 individuals remaining....
    
    ,Pomarea nigra
  • Marquesas Monarch, Pomarea mendozae
    • Hiva Oa Monarch, Pomarea mendozae mendozae – extinct (late 1970s)
  • Ua Pou Monarch
    Ua Pou Monarch
    The Ua Pou Monarch was a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It was endemic to French Polynesia.Its natural habitats were subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and heavily degraded former forest.It became extinct due to habitat...
    
    , Pomarea mira – extinct (c. 1986). Formerly included in P. mendozae
  • Maupiti Monarch
    Maupiti Monarch
    The Maupiti Monarch was a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It was endemic to French Polynesia.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
    
    , Pomarea pomarea – extinct (mid-19th century)
  • Iphis Monarch
    Iphis Monarch
    The Iphis Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. It is endemic to French Polynesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, and plantations.-References:* BirdLife...
    
    , Pomarea iphis
  • Fatuhiva Monarch
    Fatuhiva Monarch
    The Fatuhiva Monarch is a large flycatcher. It is endemic to Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia.It is critically endangered, with an estimated population of less than 1,000....
    
    , Pomarea whitneyi
• Genus Mayrornis
  Mayrornis
  Mayrornis is a genus of bird in the Monarchidae family.It contains the following species:* Slaty Monarch * Vanikoro Monarch * Ogea Monarch...
  
  (3 species)
• Genus Neolalage
  Buff-bellied Monarch
  The Buff-bellied Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Neolalage.It is endemic to Vanuatu.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests....
  
  (1 species)
• Genus Clytorhynchus, Shrikebills (5 species)
• Genus Metabolus (1 species)
• Genus Monarcha
  Monarcha
  Monarcha is a genus of bird in the Monarchidae family.It contains the following species:* Black Monarch * Black-and-white Monarch * Black-chinned Monarch...
  
  
  
  • Black Monarch
    Black Monarch
    The Black Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes....
    
    , Monarcha axillaris
  • Rufous Monarch
    Rufous Monarch
    The Rufous Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-References:...
    
    , Monarcha rubiensis
  • Island Monarch
    Island Monarch
    The Island Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands....
    
    , Monarcha cinerascens
  • Black-faced Monarch
    Black-faced Monarch
    The Black-faced Monarch Monarcha melanopsis is a passerine bird in the family Monarchidae.The Black-faced Monarch was most likely discovered sometime in the 1810s, although its original discovery is somewhat controversial. According to many bird books, the original discoverer of the Black-faced...
    
    , Monarcha melanopsis
  • Black-winged Monarch
    Black-winged Monarch
    The Black-winged Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea....
    
    , Monarcha frater
  • Bougainville Monarch
    Bougainville Monarch
    The Bougainville Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands....
    
    , Monarcha erythrostictus
  • Chestnut-bellied Monarch
    Chestnut-bellied Monarch
    The Chestnut-bellied Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. It is endemic to Solomon Islands....
    
    , Monarcha castaneiventris
  • White-capped Monarch
    White-capped Monarch
    The White-capped Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Solomon Islands.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
    
    , Monarcha richardsii
  • White-eared Monarch
    White-eared Monarch
    The White-eared Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Australia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-References:...
    
    , Monarcha leucotis
  • White-naped Monarch
    White-naped Monarch
    The White-naped Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Indonesia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-References:...
    
    , Monarcha pileatus
  • Loetoe Monarch
    Loetoe Monarch
    The Loetoe Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Indonesia.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
    
    , Monarcha castus
  • Spot-winged Monarch
    Spot-winged Monarch
    The Spot-winged Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-References:...
    
    , Monarcha guttulus
  • Black-bibbed Monarch
    Black-bibbed Monarch
    The Black-bibbed Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Indonesia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.-References:...
    
    , Monarcha mundus
  • Flores Monarch
    Flores Monarch
    The Flores Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Indonesia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
    
    , Monarcha sacerdotum
  • Black-chinned Monarch
    Black-chinned Monarch
    The Black-chinned Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. It is endemic to Indonesia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist shrubland....
    
    , Monarcha boanensis
  • Spectacled Monarch
    Spectacled Monarch
    The Spectacled Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea...
    
    , Monarcha trivirgatus
  • White-tailed Monarch
    White-tailed Monarch
    The White-tailed Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Indonesia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
    
    , Monarcha leucurus
  • White-tipped Monarch
    White-tipped Monarch
    The White-tipped Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. The scientific name commemorates British colonial administrator and zoological collector Alfred Hart Everett.-Distribution and habitat:...
    
    , Monarcha everetti
  • Black-tipped Monarch
    Black-tipped Monarch
    The Black-tipped Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. It is endemic to Indonesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes...
    
    , Monarcha loricatus
  • Black-backed Monarch
    Black-backed Monarch
    The Black-backed Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Kofiau in Indonesia.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
    
    , Monarcha julianae
  • Biak Monarch
    Biak Monarch
    The Biak Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to West Papua, Indonesia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
    
    , Monarcha brehmii
  • Hooded Monarch
    Hooded Monarch
    The Hooded Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-References:...
    
    , Monarcha manadensis
  • Manus Monarch
    Manus Monarch
    The Manus Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Papua New Guinea.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests....
    
    , Monarcha infelix
  • White-breasted Monarch
    White-breasted Monarch
    The Mussau Monarch , also known as the White-breasted Monarch, is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:* BirdLife...
    
    , Monarcha menckei
  • Black-tailed Monarch
    Black-tailed Monarch
    The Black-tailed Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Papua New Guinea.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-References:...
    
    , Monarcha verticalis
  • Black-and-white Monarch
    Black-and-white Monarch
    The Solomons Monarch , also known as the Black-and-white Monarch, is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. It is found in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:* BirdLife...
    
    , Monarcha barbatus
  • Kulambangra Monarch, Monarcha browni
  • White-collared Monarch
    White-collared Monarch
    The White-collared Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Solomon Islands.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
    
    , Monarcha viduus
  • Yap Monarch
    Yap Monarch
    The Yap Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Micronesia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.-References:...
    
    , Monarcha godeffroyi
  • Tinian Monarch
    Tinian Monarch
    The Tinian Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Northern Mariana Islands, and found only on the island of Tinian....
    
    , Monarcha takatsukasae
  • Golden Monarch
    Golden Monarch
    The Golden Monarch is a species of passerine bird in the Monarchidae family found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea....
    
    , Monarcha chrysomela
• Genus Arses
  Arses (genus)
  Arses is a genus of monarch flycatchers in the family Monarchidae. The genus is restricted to forest and second growth on the island of New Guinea, a few surrounding islands and northern Queensland. The genus is separated by their frilled necks, fleshy blue eye wattles and delicate pendent nests...
  
   (4 species)
• Genus Myiagra
  Myiagra
  Myiagra is a genus of monarch flycatcher, sometimes referred to as the broad-billed flycatchers or simply broadbills...
  
  
  • Guam Flycatcher
    Guam Flycatcher
    The Guam Flycatcher or Guam Broadbill was a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. It was endemic to Guam, where it was known locally as the chuguangguang...
    
    , Myiagra freycineti – extinct (1983)
  • Oceanic Flycatcher
    Oceanic Flycatcher
    The Oceanic Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. It is endemic to Micronesia....
    
    , Myiagra oceanica
  • Palau Flycatcher, Myiagra erythrops
  • Pohnpei Flycatcher
    Pohnpei Flycatcher
    The Pohnpei Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Micronesia.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
    
    , Myiagra pluto
  • Moluccan Flycatcher, Myiagra galeata
  • Biak Flycatcher
    Biak Flycatcher
    The Biak Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to West Papua, Indonesia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests....
    
    , Myiagra atra
  • Leaden Flycatcher
    Leaden Flycatcher
    The Leaden Flycatcher is a species of passerine bird in the family Monarchidae. Around 15 cm in length, the male is a shiny lead-grey with white underparts, while the female has grey upperparts and a rufous throat and breast. It is found in eastern and northern Australia, Indonesia, and...
    
    , Myiagra rubecula
  • Steel-blue Flycatcher
    Steel-blue Flycatcher
    The Steel-blue Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
    
    , Myiagra ferrocyanea
    
  • Ochre-headed Flycatcher, Myiagra cervinicauda
  • Melanesian Flycatcher
    Melanesian Flycatcher
    The Melanesian Flycatcher is a species of bird in the monarch-flycatcher family Monarchidae. The species is sometimes known as the New Caledonian Flycatcher. The species is found in New Caledonia,, Vanuatu and Rennell Island in the Solomon Islands. The species is closely related to a number of...
    
    , Myiagra caledonica
  • Vanikoro Flycatcher
    Vanikoro Flycatcher
    The Vanikoro Flycatcher, Myiagra vanikorensis is a species of monarch flycatcher in the family Monarchidae. It has a slightly disjunct distribution, occurring in Santa Cruz Islands in the southern Solomon Islands and the islands of Fiji...
    
    , Myiagra vanikorensis
  • Samoan Flycatcher
    Samoan Flycatcher
    The Samoan Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Samoa.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and rural gardens....
    
    , Myiagra albiventris
  • Blue-crested Flycatcher
    Blue-crested Flycatcher
    The Azure-crested Flycatcher or Blue-crested Flycatcher is a species of bird in the monarch flycatcher family Monarchidae...
    
    , Myiagra azureocapilla
  • Broad-billed Flycatcher
    Broad-billed Flycatcher
    The Broad-billed Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. It is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and subtropical or tropical moist...
    
    , Myiagra ruficollis
  • Satin Flycatcher
    Satin Flycatcher
    The Satin Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.-Distribution:The Satin Flycatcher It is found in Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea....
    
    , Myiagra cyanoleuca
  • Shining Flycatcher
    Shining Flycatcher
    The Shining Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea....
    
    , Myiagra alecto
  • Dull Flycatcher
    Dull Flycatcher
    The Dull Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is endemic to Papua New Guinea.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-References:...
    
    , Myiagra hebetior
  • Paperbark Flycatcher
    Paperbark Flycatcher
    The Paperbark Flycatcher , also known as the Little Restless Flycatcher, is a passerine bird in the family Monarchidae. It occurs in tropical woodland and riverine habitats of northern Australia and southern New Guinea...
    
    , Myiagra nana
  • Restless Flycatcher
    Restless Flycatcher
    The Restless Flycatcher, Myiagra inquieta, is a passerine bird in the family Monarchidae.Also known colloquially as Scissors Grinder or Dishwasher on account of its unusual call, the Restless Flycatcher was first described by ornithologist John Latham in 1802. Its specific epithet is derived from...
    
    , Myiagra inquieta
• Genus Lamprolia – Silktail (Taxonomic position uncertain)
• Genus Machaerirhynchus
  Machaerirhynchus
  Machaerirhynchus is a genus of passerine birds currently classified with the monarch flycatchers in the family Monarchidae. The two species are known as boatbills. The genus is distributed across New Guinea and northern Queensland.The species are:...
  
  – boatbills (2 species – Taxonomic position uncertain)
• Genus Elminia
  Elminia
  Elminia is a genus of bird in the flycatcher family Stenostiridae. The genus is endemic to Africa.It contains the following species:* White-tailed Blue-flycatcher * White-bellied Crested-flycatcher...
  
  
  • African Blue Flycatcher, Elminia longicauda
  • White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Elminia albicauda
  • Dusky Crested Flycatcher, Elminia nigromitrata
  • White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Elminia albiventris
  • White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Elminia albonotata
• Genus Erythrocercus
  Erythrocercus
  Erythrocercus is a genus of bird in the Monarchidae family found in Africa.It contains the following species:* Yellow Flycatcher * Livingstone's Flycatcher...
  
  – probably belongs to the Cettiidae
  Cettiidae
  Cettiidae is a newly validated family of small insectivorous songbirds , formerly placed in the Old World warbler "wastebin" assemblage. It contains the typical bush-warblers and their relatives. As common name, cettiid warblers is usually used.Its members occur mainly in Asia and Africa, ranging...
  
  
  • Yellow Flycatcher
    Yellow Flycatcher
    The Yellow Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania....
    
    , Erythrocercus holochlorus
  • Chestnut-capped Flycatcher
    Chestnut-capped Flycatcher
    The Chestnut-capped Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.-Distribution and habitat:It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria,...
    
    , Erythrocercus mccallii
  • Livingstone's Flycatcher
    Livingstone's Flycatcher
    The Livingstone's Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe....
    
    , Erythrocercus livingstonei
• Genus Grallina
  Grallina
  Grallina is a genus composed of two species of passerine bird native to Australia and New Guinea. It is a member of a group of birds termed monarch flycatchers. This group is considered either as a subfamily Monarchinae, together with the fantails as part of the drongo family Dicruridae, or as a...
  
  Magpie-larks (2 species)

External links

• Monarch Flycatcher videos on the Internet Bird Collection