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Spectacled Monarch

(Monarcha trivirgatus) : "Spectacled Flycatcher", "Black-fronted Flycatcher"
Size: 15-16.5 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Spectacled Monarchs populate the north-east and east coast of Australia during their breeding season. In winter the southern races migrate northwards. During the breeding season race "gouldi" is found along the east coast and the eastern slopes of the ranges from the Hunter estuary in NSW up to about the Whitsundays, QLD. Further north from there, up to Cape Melville, QLD, race "melanorrhoa" breeds. Beyond Cape Melville, at the tip of Cape York peninsula, one finds race "albiventris", which possibly migrates across the Torres Strait in winter.

Spectacled Monarchs can usually be found in wet forest and mangroves.

Sightings

A Spectacled Monarch was first spotted by us in Byfield National Park, QLD, in July 2009.

Photos

Lateral view of a Spectacled Monarch

Food

Like all other members of the Monarcha family, Spectacled Monarchs are insect hunters. They usually take them from foliage.

These pages are largely based on our own observations. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.