Marquesan monarch
| Marquesan monarch | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Monarchidae |
| Genus: | Pomarea |
| Species: | P. mendozae |
| Binomial name | |
| Pomarea mendozae (Hartlaub, 1854) | |
The Marquesan monarch (Pomarea mendozae) 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, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Distribution and Population
The Marquesan monarch was once fairly common and wide spread in the Marquesas inhabiting islands such as Ua Pu, Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Tahuata, and Mohotani but is now only restricted to Mohotani. An ornithological study on Mohotani in 2000 estimated that there are approximately 80-125 (formerly 200-350 pairs in 1975) left on the small island.
Ecology
Pomarea mendozae is mainly an insectivorous bird who's habitat is in forest valleys in variety of different altitudes. The species mainly prefers lowland forest but, most of that habitat was destroyed. Adults prefer areas of dense vegetation while immature birds often prefer shrubby vegetation in dry areas.
Threats
The rare bird faces further endangerment from hunting by feral cats and the polynesian rat (both of which are non-native introduced species to the island of Mohotani). All the Marquesas Islands have been damaged heavily by intense grazing and fire, and much of the original dry forest has been reduced to grassland while upland forest is now reduced to small forest patches.
References
- ↑ BirdLife International (2013). "Pomarea mendozae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.